Jul 22, 2011
This one is for all you candidates out there actively seeking employment and working with recruiters. I’m going to let you in on an inside secret. Accepting a counteroffer for more money after you’ve been extended another offer by a recruiter can be career suicide.
We all want more money. Humans are driven by the evil green stuff. However, if you’re actively seeking new employment, chances are, it’s not completely about the money or lack of it that you’re making at your current job.
Most people are motivated to make a change for different reasons…new challenges, better opportunity, better working conditions, more flexible hours, etc etc.
Sure, a counteroffer is very flattering. You’re under the impression that your employer really wants you to stay. You’re valued.
The reality is, however, your current employer is probably covering his tracks. He doesn’t want to take the time and energy to search, hire and train your replacement.
And you’ve just broken your trust and opened a window for your employer to slowly begin to search out your replacement and in time, you will be let go for someone who your manager feels they can trust fully. Once you’ve threatened to leave your company, you’re viewed as a flight threat all the time. Period. You may never be viewed with the same integrity again.
In addition, think about all the issues that prompted you to seek new work at the beginning of this process. Are they really going to change because you got a $10,000 raise? Does that $10,000 change the way you’re treated? Shorten your commute? Lighten your workload? I’m going to go out on a limb and say…no.
So those reasons you wanted to quit are still there. Sure, they are clouded right now by the lovely image of more money, but they will circle back around again. I guarantee it.
Besides, do you really want to force your employer into doing something? If you’re worth more money, you should be able to take a case to your manager with documentation, have a 15 minute discussion and come to an agreement. If that fails, and you do choose to seek other opportunities, that’s the decision you have made.
Accepting another position and then having your employer offer you more money on the hindsight, does nothing for your credibility, self esteem or advancement if your career.
The truth is, recruiters don’t want to work with you if you’re going to remain uncertain about whether you’re using your job search as an actual advancement opportunity or a negotiation tool for salary.
About TxMQ
Since its inception, TxMQ has specialized in Mainframe software and mainframe systems support offerings. As mainframe software and mainframe applications and subsystems like DB2, z/OS, CICS, MQ, and DB2 continued to grow in popularity, so too did TxMQ’s offerings.
These expanded to include technologies like Virtualization solutions including Linux Virtualization, network Virtualization (Cloud Computing), and desktop Virtualization, as well as mainframe modernization.
As the web became more prevalent and a part of the enterprise, we followed IBM’s offerings and added skilled resources and SME’s in areas like WebSphere, BPM and SOA, including both Lombardi, and Metastorm (now a part of open text), as well as DataPower.
Contact us today at 716-636-0070 ext 29, or email wendy@txmq.com.
