When you’re ready to leave your current position and move on to another opportunity, it can be challenging to give notice. Most people want to be respectful, give proper notice, and avoid burning a bridge with their current employer. Sometimes, an employer will receive notice and decide to put together a counter offer to entice an employee to stay. This is something all recruiting teams are familiar with, especially in today’s candidate-driven market. Market Street Talent’s Senior Technical Recruiter, Jason Robichaud, shared his thoughts about counter offers and the best way to evaluate them.
Be Prepared
Jason says he discusses counter offers with his candidates who are currently employed early on in the process. “I like to mention that some of the best candidates are working and that it sometimes takes a lot for them to make a change,” he says. Some candidates haven’t considered the possibility that their employers might give them a counter offer. By giving them a heads-up in the beginning of their job search, a recruiter can help their candidate think through what might happen and get a feel for the likelihood they will decide to stay in their current role.
Remember Why You’re Job Hunting
When you reach the point of looking for a new job, you’ve probably built a list of reasons you’re ready for a change. Is your commute awful? Are you lacking opportunities for professional development and growth? Maybe you and your manager aren’t on the same page. Maybe you aren’t valued for your contributions and hard work. Consider whether any of those things can or will change if you decide to stay.
Think Through the Possible Outcomes
If you’re working with a recruiter and are at the point of receiving an offer for your new role, your recruiter will help you walk through your options. “At the time of a final interview, I’ll talk with my candidates about scenarios for what’s next. We talk about the ‘What If’s’ – what if you accept this offer and give your notice and your boss is like, ‘Shoot, I didn’t think this was going to happen.’?” Jason continues, “Several different things can happen from there. A lot of managers realize the reason you’ve taken a few personal days lately is that you were interviewing with another company. Some will say anything they can think of to get you to change your mind.”
A Good Recruiter Won’t Push You
This is a point that bears repeating with most staffing topics! If you are working with a recruiter, make sure they’re listening to your reasons for taking a job or not. A trustworthy recruiter will have your best interests in mind, and won’t push you to make a decision you’re not comfortable with. Your recruiter has a vested interest in making sure you’re happy with your new role, and he or she can share their experience with you to help you make the right choice for you.
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