Retention startegy ?

“The offer has been accepted by Mr.X.he is joining us on so and so date”. This is what our clients tell us after they “feel” that they have successfully closed a postion.But post accepting the offer,the candidate  is silent; he avoids recieving calls and  even if he does, the response is “I am in a meeting and will call back”-a call which is never returned. Eventually Mr.X does not join our client .With great effort, we contact Mr.X only to discover that he has accepted a counter offer from his current employer and has decided to stay back!

Carrots promised

A] A  pay hike with a special bonus soon.
B] Increase in job responsibilities coupled with a promotion.
C] Improvement in  the work environment.
D] Seen at loyal to organization?

and many more …….

Are  gains for real?

It is very difficult to say “no” to all such goodies promised so easily to Mr.X. But are these gains “real” and “long lived”?

Good  questions will get you good answers!

Overnight recognition?
If the organization wanted to give  recognition, why did it wait for you to put in your papers?As we all know, pay hike is always based upon merit. Shouldn’t it have been communicated to you as part of a process of planning your career?

Process driven change?

Can the work environment be improved overnight? If yes then will it be long lived? Why should a company keep someone who didn’t deserve a promotion and instead received it in reaction to a fear of departure? When the crisis is over, so will the incentive to keep you back.

Relationships across levels?
A pay hike and promotion out of turn? How would you manage your relationship with your colleagues and seniors after you accept an “out of turn” pay hike? Won’t there be a feeling of  obligation somewhere within you?

Loyalty?

Your employer will no longer consider you part of that “inner circle” of his trusted confidants. If you have been flirting with other companies, then isn’t the trust going to be weakened? Your employer will always remember this move of yours and definitely not in a positive light. Your seniors won’t respect you. They know that they are the ones who really call the shots in your career, not you.

Only personality led?
What if your boss who made the counter offer to you leaves the organization tomorrow? The job market is full of opportunities and anyone could pursue better career options.

The world is a small place
What about your relationship with the prospective employer and the executive search firm? Have you considered that aspect?

Back in job market soon

So should you accept a counter offer from your current employer? The advice is in general “NO”. This is not to do with managing a counter offer but managing your career. Our experience, as consultants, is that 90% of the candidates who accept counter offers are back in the job market within 6 months period or sometimes even earlier.

Our advice

Do your homework

Never let that stage arrive where you are compelled to accept a counter offer. Your objective of looking at a career move is to meet your career goals which should be clearly evaluated by you on an on-going basis.

Communicate

If you are clear about your career goals but do not have a clear/bigger picture from your employer’s perspective, then at the right time, discuss your career plans and goals with seniors. This will help keeping the boss abreast about your aspirations.

Experience speaks
Consult  seniors from the industry or peers who are capable of giving you inputs . They could advice you about the industry and the kind of companies you would like to move to in future or immediately.

Networking helps
Executive search firms and recruitment consultants can be an excellent source for you to take advice from. Pick up some  with proven credentials who would do an evaluation of the situation objectively and offer invaluable advice. Consultants work across industries and can give you a wider perspective which in turn will give direction to your career. They can be your confidant.

Stick to your decision
Once you have DECIDED that you need to move on to another organization and have accepted an offer, there should be no question of accepting a counter offer and staying back with your current employer.

Best employers groom talent

Remember well-managed companies rarely offer counter-offers to their staff. Instead they treat them with dignity and respect of an individual who has thought long and hard enough to take his career into his own hands. Leaving a company is something that happens to everyone in the world of work. Minimize the potential career damage and your anxiety in this transition by having the confidence to stick to your decisions.

With best wishes,
Sarabjeet Sachar -Founder and CEO-ASPIRATION

Media n Entertainment Recruitment & Resume Services