3 MIN READ
You’re ready to move on and then…. your current employer promises you a promotion, more money and everything else under the sun.
So what do you do? While arguments about the career enhancing or limiting virtues of the counter-offer abound, you can simplify the debate into three main areas – comfort, confidence and common sense.
Comfort
How good are you at coping with change? Blame it on star signs or where you went to school, but some people love change and others don’t.
Moving jobs can be daunting, especially when you’re leaving a job you once enjoyed. After spending the time and putting yourself through the stress of finding a new career, it may be a relief to find out that things don’t have to change after all.
A competitive offer from your current employer can make you feel valued and forget all the reasons you wanted to leave in the first place.
But we can tell you (from experience!) this new package is likely to be more about the current market and the cost of replacing you, than your future.
Andy MacEwan, Head of Technology, Change & Transformation
In reality, it’s never black and white and that’s why sticking with the short term gain of your current company can start to look appealing.
Even if moving to a new company kickstarts the next chapter of your career, what if the grass isn’t greener?
TOP TIP:
Take a step back and think about how you might feel six months on from your decision if you did decide to stay put.
If there’s a chance you could end up facing the same issues, disappointments, or insecurities – make the leap!
Confidence
You’ve proved you can secure another job and that’s a real confidence boost, especially if you’ve been doing the same thing for a while or have become increasingly frustrated with your worklife.
Now your current company are fighting to keep you, which continues to ramp up that self-esteem and since you already know them and they now seem to value you more, why wouldn’t you rush back and unpack your desk?
Confidence is often a result of being in control.
It’s being prepared and in charge of your own destiny. You might think that going back to your old desk is a choice, but often employees are persuaded into staying by fear of the unknown.
Be honest with yourself, has getting to this point eroded trust on either side?
On the flip side, your new employer has shown faith in your abilities. Their trust is founded on your interview performance and you’re starting out with a clean slate.
You can either bask in the temporary glow of your previous job or use your new found confidence as a catalyst for doing great things in your new position.
Common sense
What you do, affects how you live. The money and benefits you get from that job control many of your choices, so it’s a pretty big deal.
“We’re in a vicious cycle at the moment. Companies are fighting the increased cost of goods by passing it onto consumers, who are in turn pushing for increased salaries to pay for the hike in their cost of living, which only leads to fuelling inflation further.”
Marisa Carroll, COO at Denholm Associates
With inflation and a multitude of current events adding to our overwhelming feeling of uncertainty, we can be reticent to make a change.
So remember – what prompted you to start your job search. Does the new job or the counter-offer solve the issues you sought to address?
Changing jobs should be about enrichment as well as building a career. Perhaps your move was spurred by your ambition to rise through the ranks or your determination to preserve a better work life balance.
- Are you sacrificing personal progress for short-term gain?
- Will you look back in five years’ time and feel glad that you didn’t move or will you be filled with regret?
- Does your counter-offer reflect a renewed value of your skills or is it a knee jerk to recruitment costs incurred in replacing you?
Only you’ll know the answer.
Talk to Denholm
Your work life, is our life’s work. So whether you’re looking for the next step in your career, searching for market insight or you just want to have a confidential chat, our team are ready to help. We’ve also created a free learning hub, Ride the Waves, where you can get future-fit! So please join us on Ride the Waves or contact us today on 03303 359818 or connect@denholmassociates.com for support.
