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Job Advice: Whether to accept/consider a counter offer

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LauderdaleLion

Well-Known Member
Sep 17, 2005
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Alright, just curious to get other opinions here. I put in my resignation with my current company yesterday and accepted a new job. The new company is a great company and is always on the 100 best companies to work for, titles is essentialy the same. They gave me a small increase of 5% but they have a bonus program that does pay out somewhere between 12% and 20% that I don't get currently. They are also giving me a large signon bonus to relocate to Atlanta. I live in the Philly suburbs so taking my salary south where the cost of living is lower is a big win. This company I was able to land a position with is very competitive to get in with and they put me through the ringer in the interview process but I was able to get the offer.

Where I am going with this is I never thought it would happen but my current company is trying to counter and they appear to be considering things that I didn't think they would entertain. They are considering matching or beating the salary and making some sort of guarantees to promote me to the next level which then would become a bonusable position (although due to company performance it is questionable how much this bonus would pay out at) . Current company is a fortune 50 company and have had some very poor years and have actively been laying folks off the last couple of year but I have been able to escape it as a top performer, but there always that risk. That being said, I could take the counter and then be out at the end of the year you never know. I guess I am torn because I never expected them to offer more money and dangle an immediate promotion.

Also, from a family perspective wife is very much on board with the move as her sister lives in Atlanta and she went to college in the Southeast so she also has a lot of friends there. I think she would support staying in Philly if I thought it was best for my career, but her bags are essentially packed and seems excited and looking forward to the move so there might be some disappointment there.

A couple of other small perk comparison: vacation package at current company is 3 weeks vs 6 weeks at new company.

Am I crazy to be considering it? The new company is a great opportunity too but more of a lateral move but financially I'll net a lot more living in Atlanta and with the bonus and small bump in salary. That being said, the promotion that I was unable to get for the last 1.5 now could be a reality and it has me considering it.
 
If your wife wants to go to Atlanta, it sounds like the decision is just about made. You can tell the Atlanta company that your current company unexpectantly countered with a higher salary but they are your first choice and see if they'll bump up your salary. The way you describe it, financially, the Atlanta office sounds like less risk for a similar paycheck, plus quality of life issues for both you and the wife.
 
If you're all of a sudden worth a promotion and raise ...


now that your current employer knows you're leaving -- why were you not worth a similar promotion and raise before anybody thought you were going anywhere?

Just a thought. FWIW, had a similar situation several decades back and we chose to remain where we were.
 
From what I've read, it's best to never take a counteroffer unless it overwhelmingly makes sense. I don't get that impression in your case. Take the job in Atlanta with confidence that you made the right decision, and good luck!

Is the company Chick-fil-A? Just curious.

This post was edited on 3/24 1:49 PM by NittanySteel
 
Well, that is a question I was also wondering. I have signed accepted offer with the new company. If my current company comes back to me with something is it very poor form to go back to the new company to try and get more? I make a good salary and am based in the Northeast and the recruiter at the new company made it known to be she had to go to the highest levels of the company to get me the 5% increase. I don't know that they have any more room to move but reality is reality and if my current company comes back and offers me more maybe I should just lay it out for them and ask the question.

Thanks.
 
Couple of points ...


1. You shouldn't have to threaten to quit to get paid what you're worth on the open market.
2. Vacation time in truth is probably more valuable to you and your families happiness than the money.
3. No such thing as a guaranteed promotion. As soon as the manager who makes the promises is promoted, transfers or quits all deals disappear.
4. You get to leave Philadelphia ..just kidding!
5. Most importantly ....a happy wife makes for a happy life.
 
If you really are considering staying with old company have them put it in writing either the promotion within 2 years or if you were to get terminated at any point you get 2 years of comp and health bene's for you and the wife with no cobra action... otherwise enjoy Atlanta... I am contemplating a move to delray beach/boca raton area myself from the bucks county...not an easy choice. wife and kids are torn as well....
 
sit down with your wife

and follow your heart. It will tell you what to do.

Just from your short description, you like the job in ATL better. It is also with an ascending company, while your current employer is struggling.

Unless something is overwhelming, make the easy decision.
 
Take the new job and don't look back...

More earning potential, more vacation, moving costs are covered, lowe rcost of living in Atlanta.

Keep moving forward.
 
Leave... here is why


Your current employer didn't find you worthy of a promotion/raise prior to your resignation. They cannot guarantee you a promotion... think about that. They are dangling a carrot in hopes you will stay with them. If they are going to promote you they should do it now, not 6 months from now.

They know you are willing to leave... and they have been laying people off... next round of layoffs comes around who do you think will be at the top of their list? The guy they just brought in for $10,000 < than they are paying you? Think not.

You would be a fool to stay... an utter fool.
 
I agree that it is almost never good to consider the counter offer, but frankly I never thought they would consider offering what they are offering. That being said, I no there is danger in accepting it too. The company still has some stability risks and I will be looked at under a microscope with the more money and potentially the promotion.
 
Agreed 100%


I was in a similar situation years back. I took the new job and never looked back. No regrets ever.
 
So there is your answer... more stability, more money, more upside

more potential for growth, and you won't have someone looking for a reason to dump you at the first sign of conflict.
 
What is everyone's take on whether I should go back to the new company and ask for more if I get the counter. Recruiter already made it clear she went to the wall for me and they have no room to move.
 
Absolutely not.

First, the new company may just pull the offer ( I would if I suspected someone was trying to draw me into a bidding war). Second, you want to start the new job with everything positive. Asking for more money is going to create an impression that someone won't forget.
 
Screw them!

The counter offer is an admission that they thought you were worth more and intentionally chose to under-compensate you.

Move on. It sounds like there are a lot of good things about the new job and they value you from the start.
 
Money is important.

But at the end of the day, it's not about the salary or bonus (given they are in the same ballpark - $20-30 k of each other).

It's about having the ability to do what you do best (your passion) in the best possible environment with the best possible group of people. This is what leads to tremendous job satisfaction and happiness.

I grew up in Pittsburgh, went to school in Ithaca, NY and then moved to Texas. Best decision I've ever made. The business environment in the south is hard to beat.
 
That would be border-line suicide. No.

You can always negotiate before you accept an offer (verbally or in person), of course.


But once you say yes, the negotiation stage with the new company is over. Period.


Earn that extra $$ by doing a good job at the new company, your first salary/performance review will be here before you know it.
This post was edited on 3/24 2:34 PM by michnittlion
 
Try to look at it from a longer term perspective. What may be the best for your and your family 5 - 10 years down the proverbial road? Not easy to determine.
 
Based on what you said, you have no reason to stay other than the basic notion that makind a job move is big change and is scary. But you say more money, more bonus, and better company. From a a career standpoint, seems pretty obvious to move. And trust me, if you stay there will be management at your company that are mad that you played them. I would go. And not ask for more money at other company, that is bad business and might get the offer pulled.
 
Based on your description of your situation, you have made your decision.

Go to Atlanta and don't look back. Leave on the best of terms with your old employer. I mean everything from bending over backwards to make sure the old employer knows how much you appreciated working there, to leaving your old office nice and tidy. Be as professional as you can possibly be when leaving, and then do a little extra. Do this in spite of their counter offer being an insult, in that they weren't paying you what you were worth all along. By doing all of this, you now have a backup plan just in case Atlanta doesn't work out.

As far as your Atlanta job, do NOT jack around with the deal that they offered you and you agreed to. Don't even mention the counter offer from your old company. You do not want to go into this new job giving the perception that you are all about money. In the big scheme of things, any extra amount you could get out of the new company initially is trivial. What matters far more is whether they take care of you if you perform well. You already know that your old company doesn't take care of you. Give the new company a chance and see what happens--you may be pleasantly surprised. Good luck with your move!
 
Another thing to consider, you may always be able to "boomerang"

A counteroffer shows that (a) your current employer does value you in some ways, although (b) they are currently under-paying you versus what they can afford.


Even if the "grass isn't greener" at the new job, I'm sure you'll pick up some new skills there. Those new skills and the fact that the old place values you could open the door for a "boomerang" back to the old place. If you keep in touch with the old company, a "delayed counteroffer" could some day occur. Then you would really has some power in negotiating. Honestly, someone getting an "immediate counteroffer" doesn't have nearly the leverage/power they think they do.


General rule of thumb: don't take "immediate counteroffers", but "delayed counteroffers" (1-2 years out) should be strongly considered. Trick is, you don't get "delayed counteroffers" unless you leave in the first place.
This post was edited on 3/24 2:49 PM by michnittlion
 
If you and ur family will be happy in Atlanta, it's an easy decision. Your description as far as career heavily favors the move.
 
If you take the counter you'll be kicked out the door in six months....

I've known dozens of people who took the counter offer and were gone in six months. I don't know anyone who actually benefited from a counter.
 
Move onto Atlanta. Counter offers from current employee seldom work out. If they valued you prior and increased your salary, you would not have been looking to move on. Don't look back and move forward.
 
Based on what you wrote, yes -- You are crazy for considering it.

Go to that company in Atlanta and don't look back.
 
Alright, thanks for being a sounding board and think you guys are all saying what I really knew. I think part of it is now that I resigned it is a big step to move my family into a new area and all of a sudden my old company that I am very comfortable with started offering things that I never had really considered that they would. I talked to a close confidant I had in Recruiting and told me that the company will hardly ever counter offer and I just assumed that would be the case with me.

Anyways, I think the potential with the new company is too good and a chance to move South. I am going to stay the course. I'm not going to go back and ask for more either even if current company comes back.
 
Let's not pretend you didn't come here to brag

Not that there's anything wrong with that, sounds like you've earned the right to take pride in your accomplishments.

But let's just break down your "dilemma":

Option 1: Wife is happier, more money, signing bonus, significant immediate guaranteed bonuses compared with future uncertain bonuses, lower cost of living, better weather, better company to work for that is succeeding compared with suffering company that is laying people off, and twice as much vacation time.

Option 2: You don't have to move. Oh, and you'll be remembered as the disgruntled guy with one foot out the door next time layoffs come around.

Yeah, I don't know how you'll sleep tonight trying to weigh the pros and cons.
 
Atlanta traffic is absolutely horrible, so be careful about your commute when house hunting. Also, many people I know in ATL send their kids to private schools but there are some decent public school districts.
 
So... The old girlfriend acknowledges you when she sees another girl taking great interest in you... Hmm...time to move on from the old girlfriend...and never look back.
 
Ha! I didn't really see his post as bragging, however....

...you very clearly laid it out there just how lopsided are the pros and cons (based on his post), and it does make you wonder why he would be seeking input.
 
Call it what you want but in no way was I coming here to brag. I am in the process of being offered a counter offer which I had no idea was coming and it caught my off guard so I was seeking advice. I could see how you could read my original post and think that, but it is still a major decision for myself and my family that involves a major relocation so it is not a slam dunk that you make it out to be. I could easily spin it the other way on the advantages of staying (moving into upper management, more money, working with a management team where I am a known commodity)

Regardless, I think I am proceeding forth with the new job but by no means was I coming here to brag.
 
Vaugue promises of a promotion fro an unsuccessful management team is very iffy. Take the Atlanta job. Aleo, some managers hold grudegs. They ,ay hink it would cost hem money to lose you now, but plan to replace you in the future. The bonus, the ost of living amd most important the desires of your wife make Atlanta a no brainer.
 
As others have said, take the new job. It was 72 here and sunny. Where

in the Atlanta Metro are you planning to live? There is quite a bit of difference in parts of the city/burbs.
 
I was hired five times to clean up logistics messes and spent my last ten years with Tenneco. I never moved for less than 10% and I never considered an urban job after leaving Boston in 1973. Take the new job. You will build your resume, make more monay and make momma very happy.
This post was edited on 3/25 4:20 PM by Marylovesthelions
 
You made a decision to seek new employment. take the Atalnta offer and dont pimp yourself out unless your in a really niche or tech field. You sIgned a offer agreement, live with the consequences. You will be better off in Atlanta. Dont try to 'game' the employment game unless you bring something to the talent table that is a premium position. (Not saying that your position is not premium)
Posted from Rivals Mobile
 
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