How to Get a Counteroffer

OK. So you’ve decided you’re underpaid. A few of your team mates are making considerably more than you.
You know you’re as good (if not better) than them, so what gives?

You really do like your job. The company Christmas party is off the hook! The drive is less than 5 minutes and your best buddies work there too…….but you keep seeing jobs all over the internet paying more than what you're making and it's starting to weigh on your mind......

So what can you do about it? Call a recruiter? Well, maybe…..

But you know what happens next, right? If you’re so good- you’ll be going on an interview next week. Then another. Pretty soon you’ve got yourself an offer. More money!!! Woo hoo!!

But wait! Now you’ve got to resign. And you don’t really want to do that, do you? You’ve got to go through with this, though…….right? The recruiter is calling you night and day making sure you’re “on the same page” and you’ve already reluctantly agreed that he can accept an offer on your behalf. Who knows – maybe he already did…?

This isn’t what you really wanted, is it? To leave all your friends? To bail out on the awesome project you’ve been working on the past 2 years? It’s just about ready to go into production. All your hard work – and you’ll never see how happy your customers are……bummer……

I’ve got a solution for you. All you really want is more money. Heck – we all want that. So let me help you do just that without dragging a few other companies and that nice recruiter through the mud.

Wear your best suit into work tomorrow. Look better than you have since you interviewed there to begin with. Let your boss know you need the afternoon off. She’ll ask you why. Just let her know “It’s personal” and try to seem a bit apprehensive about it.

Next week you’ll need to take a whole day off. Again – let your boss know it’s personal. You might jokingly say “I’m not going on any interviews or anything” and then throw in something about your grandma not doing so well and she lives quite a distance away. Again – keep it somewhat vague.

Hang in there. You’re almost done Just one more step. This is the important one. You now need to tell your boss you need a few minutes. She’s already thinking something is up and this will confirm it. Her suspicion will be that you’re leaving – and she can’t have that happen now. Not at this critical time!

When you’re in her office let her know you just want to get a better idea of where you’ll be in the next few years. Ask about your chance of promotion. Let her know you feel like you need some more responsibility – but NEVER let on that you’ve been “interviewing” – just make it appear as though you’re at a crossroads and “might” be looking elsewhere. She’ll suspect this. She’s been here before. Trust me.

She’ll be on the phone with HR in a matter of minutes. Within a day or two you’ll find yourself in a meeting again. This time she’ll be happy to let you know that she’s been thinking of your career plan there – and while
that all shapes up – there is also a salary increase she’s requested for you. There you have it. You’re in!

Simple. No hassle. No bitter recruiter. No other company involved. Just you, your company and your new, phatter paycheck.

Good luck!

Comment by Jerry Albright on October 14, 2010 at 3:21pm: Let's face it - quite a few candidates feel MORE than free to be deceitful with us just to better their current position. Happens all the time. Their goal is to get an offer and then give their boss EVERY OPPORTUNITY to counter. Quite often they do - and you get the phone call. "Sorry man. I've just decided to stay here so I won't be accepting the offer."

If you are in recruiting - then you've heard those very words.

So.....knowing that the person intent on getting a counter offer is just using you - why not at least give them some tips on how to get one WITHOUT the hassle?

Someone who is not intent on getting a counter offer won't do this. Of course. But those who were only planning to use you? I'm sure they'll appreciate the advice.

Comment by bill josephson on October 14, 2010 at 3:26pm: Jerry, I couldn't agree with you more. What you portray is the employment world I'm living in.

Comment by Wendy Johnson on October 14, 2010 at 3:28pm: If you google the word deceitful, one definition that comes up is "deliberately misleading". How is dressing up in a suit and pretending to be interviewing when you are not, NOT deliberately misleading?! Deceitful does not imply harm at all, and I don't think what Jerry is suggesting is necessarily harming anyone except the person who actually takes this advice. Most likely they still won't get that raise or promotion. Instead they will have wasted their time and energy, potentially risk losing their job, and lose complete respect of everyone around them when two weeks later they still don't have any imaginary offers to go with their imaginary interview.

Comment by Jay Dack on October 14, 2010 at 3:35pm: I a firm believer that talented professionals should be compensated accordingly. That said, be ethical and transparent with your existing Team which you have built a lot of trust and respect with over time. Communicate that you are feeling underpaid and dissatisfied as a result.

If the Corporate response is less than your expectations, then share that feedback as well. In parallel, also provide data from online resources and Compensation experts that supports your position.

This sets the table for a clear transition, secures your References and also sets the tone with your new Employer about what your compensation expectations are at the front door.

Note also that Recruiting Industry research shows that nearly 80% of those Candidates that accept a Counter Offer end up resigning within 6 months of acceptance. There are so many dangers to accepting a Counter Offer.

Comment by chris on October 14, 2010 at 3:36pm: Really? I think the recruiter would be pretty upset considering the process drug out for weeks, the candidate gave the recruiter permission to accept an offer and the candidate was probably extremely close to the start date. Any candidate that behaves in this way would not only burn a bridge with the recruiter, but also with the company that he/she interviewed with and from whom he got an offer. Though I don’t appreciate being used, I really don’t have a problem with a candidate NOT accepting an offer, but if they accept, lead me on and then fail to start – that’s wrong. Not only does it put quite a few people at 2 companies, the recruiter and client account manager in a very precarious situation – but it also shows an extreme lack of honesty and values by the candidate.

Unfortunately, the “it’s just business” excuse is a common scapegoat these days. Whether it’s business or not, if you give your word you should keep it. If you want to play the counteroffer game with your own company without bringing another company or recruiter into – feel free – it’s a bad idea and will buy you a little money in the short term but tons of mistrust in the long-run and guess who’ll be first out when your boss needs to trim some fat? Mr. Albright even says “your manager will know what’s up – she’s been here before” – anyone that’s managed people would know what’s going on here and they will not appreciate it.

I’m all for raises, capitalism and the power of greed – But if you want a raise… Ask for it – directly and with a strong foundation for your request. If you deserve it, you’ll get it. This “gamesmanship” just shows one’s lack of self confidence, a fear of confrontation and willingness to engage in treacherous behavior.

Comment by Eric Walker on October 14, 2010 at 3:41pm: I think this is a risky way to get a raise. If you are that good the company should know it and recognize it. Or try to establish a relationship with your supervisor and ask if there is any other way you can support the team. Then ask in private for an increase. I don't think you should miss work or play any games. In this economy they may just let you go. Unless this is a perfect scenario situation above but that's not always the case. Be careful.

Comment by bill josephson on October 14, 2010 at 3:48pm: Wouldn't it be a perfect world if all employees honestly tried to correct what bothered them with their present employers PRIOR to them becoming our candidates?

When we've evolved to that perfect world would someone please notify me. This real world with candidates using an offer to better their present situation is awfully tough to deal with.

Comment by Maureen Sharib on October 14, 2010 at 3:52pm: ROFLMAO Bill.
War is hell, ain't it?

Comment by Jerry Albright on October 14, 2010 at 3:52pm: Bill - thanks for your help on this one. You see - if someone tells me their main goal is to be paid more money - the most obvious place to look is their current employer.

Companies are not handing out big raises right now. They haven't for a few years now. You're not going to get a raise just because you've got a few handy internet salary surveys and you know another guy that makes 10K more than you down the street.

And I AM NOT going to be their ambassador in the marketplace when I know their only motivator is money.

I am not encouraging anyone to lie, cheat or steal. Just take a few days off. Wear a suit a few times. Then ask about your future there.

What's the big deal?

Comment by C. B. Stalling!! on October 14, 2010 at 3:53pm: You better be ready to be on the street if you pull this stunt, I think you are dead wrong, Not sure why you wrote this...