Talent Talk: PlasticsToday’s Weekly Jobs and Business Blog 9950

If you said to reiterate his appreciation for the opportunities that the company and management have given him, wish them well in their future, and tell them that his decision to pursue the new opportunity was arrived at after careful consideration of what was best for him and his family, and is firm, give yourself an A+.

In short, accepting a counteroffer is a bad, bad thing. While not a scientific survey, our industry observation is that an employee who accepts a counteroffer is not with that company a year later, in about 3 out of 4 cases. Why is that?

First, you've now been labeled as disloyal, or opportunistic, in the management ranks. Consciously or subconsciously, they do not envision you moving up in the company; they see you leaving. So why wouldn't they just let you go? Probably they do see you as vital to the company's interests - for now. It is much cheaper to keep you for a few months or a year, even at a higher salary, and replace you at a better time for the company.

Second, there will be a natural resentment that you put them in that position, and everything you do going forward will be scrutinized in a different light. So you get a big raise, and they do come through with that new project challenge for you. Guess who will be in position to catch the blame if all does not go well on the project, whether it's your fault or not?

If you choose to apply for a position you see advertised, or get recruited by a headhunter or a colleague, think very hard about why you would make a move at this point in your career. If the answer is money, and only money, do some research and make a case for asking the company for an increase before you do anything else.

If the answer is to move closer to home, or to be able to assume greater responsibilities, or to be exposed to different industries (medical molding vs. automotive), then go forward and remember that those reasons will likely still be there if you get to the point where you are facing a counteroffer. When it comes to a counteroffer it is best to follow the advice of Nancy Reagan: "Just Say No."

About the author: Paul Sturgeon is business manager with KLA Industries based in Cincinnati, OH, an executive search firm specializing in plastics and polymer technology. If you have a topic you'd like to see discussed, a company that is growing, or other ideas for his blog, e-mail Paul at [email protected].