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Ilovetacos wrote: » juevos rancheros.
Ilovetacos wrote: » I really do like my boss, but there's no way I want to pass up this new opportunity.
Ilovetacos wrote: » So, he didn't keep my original resignation letter.
Ilovetacos wrote: » Also a confession - this is an pseudonym. I'd rather not have my regular ID associated with these questions in case any co-workers read this.
Ilovetacos wrote: » And now that I've got that off my chest, another confess - I honestly merely like tacos. I usually order burritos when I go to a Mexican restaurant, or if I really want to mix it up, juevos rancheros.
dave330i wrote: » Tell your current boss that you've enjoyed working for him and appreciate the counter offer, but you believe you'll have a better career path with new employment and ultimately you must do what's best for your career.
Essendon wrote: » Never EVER entertain a counter offer. Your boss knows you'll leave when the next opportunity presents itself and whats the guarantee you'll actually have new responsibilities. Decline politely and leave.
TomAtkins wrote: » This is not always true, if your a good employee, it would be appropriate for them to make a counteroffer to keep you. I've found this the case with a number of fortune 500 companies I've worked for. Keep in mind the grass isn't always greener.
Ilovetacos wrote: » I voiced some of my issues with my boss previously. One example - I wasn't working with VMware as much as I'd like, and that I did more with it in my (lower tier) previous position. His response was that at that tier, I was the only one that really knew it well, but at this tier, other guys are familiar with it (not true, almost all of them defer to me as being more knowledgeable) and as such I don't get to touch it was much. That was just 2 weeks ago. Now, they're telling me about all these great things they're going to be doing with VMware, and that I'm a key part of their plan. There wasn't a hint of that two weeks - not even a "But hang on, we've got some cool stuff coming that you'll be interested in". Other issues are more widespread through the organization, and not limited to my department, and I have voiced concerns over them before, and it's gone nowhere. As long as money's rolling in and we're profitable, nobody cares about doing things right, following our own written policies, managing customer expectations properly, or any of that stuff. Who knows, maybe I might be making a move from bad to worse, but at this point, I'm unfulfilled, unhappy, and ultimately don't have faith in this organization.
You've been approached by another company, and offered a position that should allow a good career growth opportunity, and a moderate increase in compensation. You've analyzed, if not agonized over, the decision to leave a good (or bad) job for what could be a better one, and have accepted, or decided to accept, the new position. However, upon tendering your resignation, your current boss asks you to stay. This appeal is known as a counter-offer, or buy back.In recent years, it seems to be the norm, and almost the expected course of action. "It's almost like a part of the accepted divorce proceedings, and allows the boss to save face with his boss," explained one departing executive. "And it sometimes has to take its course."But take care not to fall into the trap, or be blind-sided to your own detriment. You should understand what's about to be cast upon you. Counter-offers are typically made in conjunction with some form of flattery.-You're too valuable, and we need you.-You can't desert the team/your friends and leave them hanging (guilt trip).-We were just about to promote/raise you, and it was confidential 'till now!-What did they offer, why were you leaving, and what do you need to stay?-Why would you want to work for that company?-The President wants to meet with you before you make your final decision.Counters usually take the form of:1. More money2. Promotion/more responsibility3. Modified reporting structure4. Promises of above or future considerations5. Disparaging remarks about the new company or job, and/or6. Guilt tripsThese tempting gestures inevitably create confusion and buyer's remorse. Career changes are tough enough as it is....leaving a comfortable job, friends, location, etc. for an unknown and challenging opportunity in which one must reprove oneself. These anxieties frequently cloud the best of logic. But just because the new position is a little scary, does not mean it's not a positive move. It is just usually more comfortable to stay. Of course, we all prefer to think that we are MVP's, and want to believe these manipulative gestures, but beware! Accepting a counter-offer or appeal to stay is the wrong choice to make.Think about it. If you were worth "X" yesterday, why are they suddenly willing to pay you "X + Y" today, when you were not expecting a raise for some time? Further, reflect on how you felt when someone resigned from your staff.The reality is that bosses/companies do not like to be fired. Your boss is likely most concerned that she/he may look bad, and that this could jeopardize his/her career. S/he is judged by the ability to retain staff. When a contributor quits, morale suffers. Further, your leaving might jeopardize an important project, cause a greater workload, or foul up a vacation schedule. It's never a good time for someone to quit, and it may prove very time consuming and costly to replace you, especially considering search and relocation expenses. It is much cheaper to keep you even at a slightly higher salary. And, it would be better to fire you later, on the company's time frame."We have made counter offers on occasion, if a good person approaches the issue professionally," states a former senior partner of a Big-6 accounting/consulting firm. "But usually it was a stop-gap measure because we couldn't afford a defection at that point in time. We did not count on those people long term, and usually they'd burned bridges two or three levels up, if not with their immediate manager. It definitely put them in a career holding pattern." He went on to recall a long conference between himself, his boss, and two subordinate managers, in which a counter offer/raise to a person two levels down was approved. "Immediately after that meeting, my boss called me, and said, 'We can't afford to lose him now, but our number one priority is to find a replacement, ASAP!' And, we replaced him within a few months."Another senior executive from a major financial service organization shared the following opinions, "If it's a real 'hitter', I'll try to get him to stay. But to be honest, any additional compensation is 'stealing' from his future earnings, and I'll always question his convictions, knowing he can be bought. Further, I'll wonder if I can really count on him (which equates to limited future opportunities). In other words, the damage is done."While your employer may truly consider you an asset, and may genuinely care about you personally, you can be sure that your interests are secondary to your boss's career, and your company's profit or survival. In other words, flattering offers and comments are attempts to manipulate you to do something that is in your employer's best interests, and not necessarily yours. It's not about you.The negative ramifications to accepting a counter-offer are numerous:-Where did the money or responsibility come from?-Was it your next raise - just early?-Will you be limited in the future?-Will you have to threaten to quit to get your next raise, or might your (cheaper) replacement be sought out ASAP?One client executive who preferred to remain unnamed, commented that "90% of the time, accepting a counter-offer is the wrong thing to do. And, if the business is so dependent on one person, it's a weak business."You've demonstrated your unhappiness, or your lack of blind loyalty, and will be perceived as having committed blackmail to gain a raise. You'll not be considered a team player again. Many employers will hold a grudge at the next review period, and you may be at the top of the next Reduction-in-Force "hit list". "Like an adulterous affair that has been discovered, the broken trust is never fully recovered," stated one client that requested anonymity.Apart from a short-term band-aid treatment, nothing changes with the company. After the dust settles from this upheaval, you'll be in the same old rut. In fact, statistics indicate that more than 80% of those accepting counter-offers leave, or are terminated, within 6-12 months anyway. In our search practice, although counter-offer acceptances are discouraged, 50% of those who did succumb had re-initiated their job search within 90 days. In fact, one candidate called us back in 5 days!One executive candidate told us "It was exactly like you said it would be...they butter you up, give you more money, but nothing really changes. In fact, they can get worse." He went on to say "My immediate boss was really agitated, since his boss interceded. At raise time he told me that none had been budgeted (since I'd already gotten a raise), and that if I wanted, I could negotiate with the President as before." This gentleman, by the way, left the company within months.Attempted buy-backs demonstrate disrespect for your well-thought-out decision, and your commitment to the new company. Should your current employer decide to eliminate your position, or skip you for promotion, just try to counter and change their minds. Fat chance! You've analyzed, accepted, and committed to the new company, which has surely made plans and accommodations around you, and is counting on you. Don't sell out, or back out. Stand by your word. Everyone will respect your decision and integrity, and if the previous employer was sincere about your value, they'll likely make a spot for you in the future.Look at the two opportunities, your old job and the new position, as if you were unemployed. Which holds the most real potential? Probably the new one, or you'd not have accepted it in the first place.Two things are certain . . .(1) You can normally expect a counter-offer, and(2) you should hold a steady course from the beginning, and stick with your decision to move on to a bigger and better future.R. Gaines Baty is President of R. Gaines Baty Associates, Inc.Most top executives agree that the days of the gold watch for 30 years of faithful service are gone. In fact, experience at several different companies over a long period of time is considered an asset that brings a variety of experience and perspectives to a new job. Today, changing jobs is a routine part of every growing professional career.You are probably considering a change because your present position doesn't offer the growth environment you need. Nevertheless, your company has helped you progress professionally, and as a result, you may feel a bit uncomfortable resigning. After all, leaving a job means leaving many managers and coworkers whom you see socially, and who have been instrumental in advancing your career.What, then, should you expect when you tender your resignation? Undoubtedly, your company will be sorry to lose you. After all, you have contributed to their sales and profits and are probably involved in several projects drawing on your unique talents. If you were in your boss' position, what would you be inclined to do when a valuable employee resigned?The Counter Offer - It is natural instinct to resist change and avoid disruption, and your present employer will be no exception. If you're doing a good job, he will want to keep you and will attempt to do so with a counter offer. Even though you have accepted a new job elsewhere, he will try to convince you that you have made a mistake.Counter offers can be made in a variety of ways:1. We have plans for you that have been scheduled for implementation the first of next month. I guess it's my fault for not telling you.2. I want to let you in on some confidential information. There is a reorganization developing that will mean a significant promotion for you within six months.3. We'll match your new offer. This raise was supposed to go into effect the first of next quarter anyway, but because of your fine record, we'll start it on the first of the month.4. The President and Vice President want to have dinner with you tonight before your final decisions.The Implications Of A Counter Offer - A counter offer can be very flattering, sometimes causing your emotions to obscure your objective decision to leave your present employer. There is also the natural feeling of "buyer's remorse", that vague apprehension of change that subtly urges you to consider your decision. When confronted with a counter offer, ask yourself these questions:1. I made a decision to leave because I felt another environment would better fill my career needs. If I stay, will the situation at my company really improve just because I said I was quitting?2. If I decide to stay, will my loyalty be suspect and affect my chance for advancement in the future?3. If my loyalty is in question, will I be an early layoff when business slows down?4. They are offering me a raise to stay. Is it just my annual review coming early?5. The raise they offered to keep me is above their guidelines for my job. Does that mean they are buying time until they can find my replacement within their regular salary brackets?6. In the final analysis, I got this counter offer because I resigned. Will I have to threaten to quit every time I want to advance with my company in the future?The Professional Approach - As a professional, you must make your career decisions objectively, free of the emotional pressures you are likely to feel later when being urged to reconsider. While well meaning friends, relatives and business associates will offer advice, you must depend primarily upon your own judgment. After all, you are the only one who is in the position to understand all of the implications of a counter offer. Expect your company to be sorry to see you leave and to make some attempt to keep you. At best, their response should be considered flattering, but beset with numerous pitfalls you should not risk. End your relationship with your employer as professionally as you began it. Your new company will be anxious to have you start, so you should do so as soon as possible. One week's notice is often adequate, a maximum of two weeks is always sufficient.A counter offer is really a belated affirmation of the contribution you have made to your old company. Move ahead to your new job with the goal of making yourself as valuable to your new employer as you were to the old.Q. Is There a Downside to Accepting a Counter Offer From My Current Company Once Another Has Made Me an Offer?A. By disclosing that you have received an offer from another company you have identified yourself as disloyal. If times get tough and staff cuts must be made in the future employers have long memories regarding perceived slights and disloyalties. Accepting a counter offer threatens career advancement and tenure with your original company.TEN REASONS FOR NOT ACCEPTING A COUNTER OFFERDeciding to change jobs can be a very stressful situation. Embarking on the interview process can bring new dynamics to that stress level. Once you have made a decision to accept a new opportunity and to move ahead, the pressure and stress start to back off. If you allow yourself to be put into a counter offer situation, the pressure and stress rushes back into your life ten-fold, making your business and personal life extremely uncomfortable. All the reasons below are quite valid but with the emotional turbulence job change can bring about, we can often get sidetracked from the real reasons for our desire to change. One should be aware that in today's market, counter offers are quite common and individuals who are serious about making career moves should be prepared to deal with it head on and early on.1. Your company loyalty will be in question.2. When there is downsizing, you'll probably be one of the first to go.3. Companies often have wage guidelines, is this raise coming out of your next pay raise?4. Do you actually want to work for a company where you have to resign to get what your worth in the marketplace?5. You should expect your company to be on the lookout for your replacement at a lower salary/rate.6. Statistics show people usually leave within six months or are let go within a year upon acceptance of a counter offer.7. Often your relationship with co-workers changes for the worse.8. Your loyalty will always be in question with your employer.9. Actually a counter offer is an insult. They believe you can be bought and also be manipulated.10. If you accept a counter offer, the reason you wanted to leave will either repeat itself or will still exist.
bryguy wrote: » Good thread... Several years ago at my first IT job working as a supervisor on a help desk for a small IT company, I was approached by a large IT recruiting agency. They performed an over the phone interview, with me, and then there were two more additional interviews before I was hired. After I was hired, I presented my letter of resignation. The following day, management approached me, and made a counter offer. I accepted... Arriving, to work the following Monday, they said they had decided to rescind the counter offer. Fortunately, I hadn't said anything to the company that hired me about the counter offer. If I had, I would have been left in the cold without a job with a wife and two newborns. Stupid nievety on my part. What followed after that could have come right out of the movie, "The Firm" ... but I think I'll save that post for another thread.
...A counter offer is really a belated affirmation of the contribution you have made to your old company. Move ahead to your new job with the goal of making yourself as valuable to your new employer as you were to the old....
f0rgiv3n wrote: » Also, ERPAdmin... HOLY CRAP! That's insane that they would have the gall to take back what they said. It sure made your decision to move on a lot easier (especially since you still had that other offer sitting there waiting).
TomAtkins wrote: » Keep in mind the grass isn't always greener.
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