Counter Offer: Remember, It's a Business Decision

As the hiring starts to turn in a positive direction, I wanted to remind you that acceting a Counter Offer can be, and in most instances is, a BAD IDEA.

Always remember that leaving a job is about making a business decision. It is not personal. You may have a great relationship with your manager or co-workers and if they are just as much a friend as a co-worker or Manager, they should remain your friend even after you leave your organization.

Manager’s have one common goal, that is to increase production, motivate and lead employees to be the best they can be and make money for their organization.

If you are the type of employee who contributes to the bottom line of any organization you are consider a valuable employee.

A few things that run through their mind when they hear a person is leaving their organization:

“I can’t believe this is happening. I have done so much for this person”
“This couldn’t be happening at a worse time, I already have other openings”
“This is going to affect my bonus goals for the department”
“This will not look good for my review coming up with my boss”
“Maybe I can give then a raise or a bigger bonus to keep them on”

Things your boss will say to try and keep you at the company;

“I had no clue you were not happy”
“I’m really shocked and hate to hear that you are looking at another opportunity”
“Lets talk about what I can do before you make your final decision” (Your final decision should have already been made).
“We were talking about you last week at a regional meeting on how we had bigger and better things for you in the future”
“You are going to work for who” (start making bad comments about the organization you are leaving for”) never tell them the company you are leaving for until you arrive at your new job.

Never be afraid to make a career change! Of course things will be different. A new coffee machine and new way to work, all of those things will be different. Don’t think it will be easy. If you accept a counter offer it shows that your boss has emotional control over you career. Things will never be the same after accepting a counter offer. The trust will never come back or be the same. The honey moon will only last on average 90 days.  In fact, I once read a statistic that about 80% of every person who accepts a counter offer will e gone within a year.