Help… I just received a counter-offer!

This happens all too often to candidates who are moving to a new career opportunity.  Here’s why it happens.  First of all, employers are not good at keeping the lines of communication open with their existing employees.  Without specific conversations concerning an employee’s career options, people are left to tell the story on their own.  This is where misunderstandings can occur and leave employees feeling like it is time to look around for new and better career options.  During the process of researching, applying, interviewing and getting job offers, an employee goes through a myriad of emotions.  They can be so disappointed with their current employer that any new opportunity seems like the best option.  However, without being “intentional” about their desire to move along in their career, an employee can be left to the whims of anxious recruiters trying to talk them into something or a company who seems too good to be true!.  Now… when the employee decides to make a move, they have to go to their employer and tell them that they are leaving… That’s when the counter-offer happens!  If only employers would be saavy enough to speak openly with their staff ( and in particular their high performers) to give them a good idea of what is coming down the pipe-line. If an employee is good enough for a counter offer, why wait until they come back to you to say they are considering leaving your organization.  Deal with it up front and have them stay – not have them go through the roller coaster of searching out career options.

Now, if you are the employee that just received a counter-offer, you have to stop and ask yourself..”why me and why now???”  Sometimes a counter-offer can simply mean that the organization doesn’t want you to leave because it is not convenient for them at this time.. .afterall, they have to replace you and that will take time.  Think about all the reasons you even went on the journey of searching out new career options.  Take your existing employer out of the equation as you look forward in your career.  If what you are looking at looks different, it is because IT IS!! You might be afraid of something new because you don’t feel comfortable with change… This is normal but should not be the reason you use to deter you from accepting a favourable offer from a new employer who will be providing you a whole new experience in your career.  Speak to people you trust, including your professional recruiter, who will walk you through the process of leaving one career to embark on another…