How to Resist When an Employer Gives a Counter Offer

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How to Resist When an Employer Gives a Counter Offer

And so, that day came when you've finally decided to tell your employers that you're not happy with the job. Or there's a better career waiting for you outside the company. But then, the moment came and your boss gave you an option of staying in their nest in return for having a better salary. You lost the throat to answer.

Of course, employers' counter offers were verily, nastily tempting. And like any other temptations, the best way to not give in is to avoid it. Not unless you're still considering the possibility of staying on the company if you're given a really good proposal, (but that's another dangerous situation,) you don't have to wait for your employers to ask you. Ditch out as soon as you said it. But for the sake of being prepared to answer when the nerve-wrecking suggestion came, be decided on these possible scenarios:

1. Things won't be the same again after the offer

Even if you accept to stay, it doesn't assure you that you will keep the same professional and personal relationship with your bosses and colleagues. They will forever remember your infidelity and sooner or later, you might at last decide again to leave because of the bruised trust and relationship with the people around you. Another thing with loyalty, it might greatly impact your evaluation since the fact that you once decided to leave will be considered a factor on whether you shall be promoted or not.

2. What your boss thinks

"But we were just about to give you a raise. Why don't you consider this?"

Hang on. Before you're lured to answer yes, try to think what's behind the proposal. At best, it might be him trying to figure out how to be spared from the risk of being blamed for losing a good employee like you, at worst, it might be him blowing a lot of hot air to keep you temporarily while they're finding a replacement. Employers have counter offers as their mechanism from appearing like misgiving bourgeoisies. And when somebody quits, it will be their immediate boss to face the grilling. If there's anybody to trust, it's not someone who will benefit from making you stay. Believe the experts, this is no paranoia.

3. On skin-deep solutions

What made you quit? Is it really just the low compensation, or is it the company who didn't pay for what you're worth? Or it might be for some personal conflict. Or it might be problems in the working environment. If you think that a salary raise won't resolve your woes, then simply decline the offer. In the end, pecuniary matters are the least to consider when pursuing a lifetime career. A good compensation will only make you stay for a few weeks. A real motivating environment will make you stay and work happily.

4. The best resort

At the end of it all, what is said is said. No matter how you see it, accepting a counter proposal will only lead you to a career suicide. Loyalty is the word. It's too late to come back once you already uttered that you are not satisfied with your employer anymore. The best resort when all is said is to go back to your cubicle, clean your desk, wave happily, and look forward to finding a better career outside the bounds of your current employer.

And whenever employers give you counter offers, remember just three terse words: it won't work.

Nelly Marshall is a seasoned career author with more than a decade producing career development materials for a large base of recruitment agencies in the U.S. Most of his leisure time is spent on sports and photography.

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