DISQUS

Consumerism Commentary: Should You Accept a Counteroffer?

  • plonkee · 2 years ago
    If you are considering moving jobs anyway then I agree that its probably not a good idea to take the counteroffer. Money is never the only thing that makes you move.

    If truly the only reason you want to move is for more money, and they don't offer you any more until you want to hand in your resignation, then do they really value you anyway?
  • Tim · 2 years ago
    I don't see any reason not to take the counteroffer if you are happy in your current division. However, the real issue seems to be why you didn't ask for a promotion or higher salary from your current division in the first place. after all, you were "surprised" that your manager made a counteroffer. What was it that made you look into a different division in the first place? answer that, and then make the decision. If all things are equal, then I'd accept the counteroffer; however, you should look a the bigger picture of upward mobility if you are into that, or chances for raises in the future.
  • aaa · 2 years ago
    nah, fresh start is always good, especially your intention has been exposed
  • David Mackey · 2 years ago
    Good thoughts. Focus on total satisfaction as opposed to cash only is an important, common sense recommendation that we still manage to overlook.
  • Patrick · 2 years ago
    "The new position is at a significantly higher level with a title to match, a higher salary, a better commute, and what seems to be a friendlier environment."

    I think you answered your own question. If the salary is equal, then a higher level, title, better commute, and friendlier environment win out every time. (The only way I would take a job that loses in those categories is if they are fairly similar, just a little lower, and if I were earning quite a bit more salary).

    You will be staying in the same company, so your benefits and seniority level remain unchanged. I would recommend *gracefully* declining your boss's offer and tell her you are looking for a new personal and professional challenge.
  • broknowrchlatr · 2 years ago
    Now, lets pretend to ignore office politics and whether you wanted to change jobs for personal reasons.

    For purely financial reasons, a counteroffer matching another offer is likely a bad idea. Say you make $40k and you have been looking for a raise for a while. You get another job offer of $55k and your current boss offers to match it. Their value of you will invariably be less than $55k, but they want to keep you to avoid turnover. On the other hand, the people making you the new offer value you at $55k right off the bat, knowing that you will have to learn a bit to perform in the new position.

    Lets look a year down the road, where your 'real' value is, say $60k. Your new boss would probably be likely of giving you that raise as you are probably worth that much more in your new position. However, your old boss may think you aren't even worth the $55k yet.

    Take the new job
  • BoarderX · 2 years ago
    Take the new job. A fresh start can do wonders for you. A shorter commute? Better environment? You'll be better off mentally and physically with these two benefits alone! Bumping you up to the next job level would, I imagine, put you lower on that level's pay scale, so you may see better raises in the future. Bumping your salary while staying at the same job level may put you on the high side of that job level's pay scale, so future raises may not be that great.

    New experiences can only help your future employability.
  • dong · 2 years ago
    I think when you're relativley young, jobs are all about where they will get you rather what they give you now. Having an offer and counteroffer is no different really than having two different offers. Which one would you take?