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5 Reasons Why Taking a Counteroffer Is Not the Best Plan

Suzanne

Suzanne

 

May 14, 2021

5 Reasons Why Taking a Counteroffer Is Not the Best Plan

So maybe you’re thinking about looking at what other jobs are out there and making your next career move. Or perhaps you’ve gotten an interesting message (or five) on LinkedIn from a few different recruiters and you’re considering taking them up on that intro call. So you decide to take the plunge. You get through the interviews and nailed it! You get an offer from a new company!

Now what? You expect that you will get a counteroffer, and meanwhile, you bask in the flattery from your current employer.

But hold on there a moment. Before you jump whole hog into accepting  the new position, there's a host of other reasons you should consider before signing the counter-offer.

dreaming of money

Nothing except your salary has actually changed.

If you have had conversations about wanting more financial or professional recognition and have been turned down, ask yourself if you want to stay at a company that gives you a raise only when you threaten to leave. Why didn’t they value your efforts prior to your telling them you were leaving?

The reasons you chose to engage with the recruiter are still going to be there.

According to LinkedIn 89% of all employees that accept a counteroffer are gone after 6 months. All the things that were not ideal in your current role are still going to be there (politics, bad culture, no advancement opportunities, compensation, ineffective leadership, etc.). For those extra months staying at your current company, you will have lost out on a great opportunity and will be back where you started -- except now your current employer may have a different perspective about you.

Telling your employer that you're leaving for a new job is not the best way to get on their good side.

They're probably thinking you're likely to leave (aka a "flight risk") and are most likely keeping their eyes peeled for your replacement. They have almost certainly started recruiting for it because they don’t want to lose you immediately because of the cost to the business. After they bump your salary or title to try to keep you with a counteroffer, you might not be considered for promotions or rewards because of the trust issue. Believe us, it’s real.

Burning a bridge for future opportunities.

Once you have accepted a job and then turn around and take a counteroffer, it can hurt your credibility and personal brand. Your ability to make a decision and integrity with the new company may come into question. So many times, we will get a call months later from the candidate saying they made a terrible mistake. It may be too late at that point.

You'll always be thinking...what if?

It will haunt you. Do you want to be that person that says, “Boy that company is doing so well. I could have gone to work for them, but I accepted a counteroffer instead."

If you’re struggling with the decision or, not sure how to handle the conversation around a counteroffer, talk to a trusted mentor or friend. The TextNow recruitment team is always available to coach our candidates through these difficult conversations – we’ve seen and heard it all, so you can always lean on us and our expertise. Here’s our advice:

  • If you decide to follow through with leaving your current employer, make sure that you present a formal resignation letter with appropriate notice. This solidifies your decision.
  • In your conversations, don’t leave room for doubt that your decision is final. Let them know that you have appreciated your time with the company, but that it’s time for you to move on and that you have made your decision and there is nothing they can say to change it.
  • Always lead with integrity. Your reputation is everything, so you should strive to leave your current employer on good terms. If you’ve invested time interviewing with another company, enjoyed your experience and accepted their offer of employment, honoring that decision is the right choice.

If you find yourself in the fortunate position of having a new job offer and a counteroffer on the table, consider your options and your decision carefully. Staying at your current employer may seem like the safer, more appealing option, but in reality, it is actually the riskier and worse for your career decision in the end.

new job this way

And speaking of new positions... Take a look at TextNow's current open positions, and come join us in our quest to make communication belong to everyone.

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