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 C. B. Stalling!! on October 14, 2010 at 3:53pm: If you play these games you may loose!!!!!!

Comment by Michael Sullivan on October 14, 2010 at 3:54pm: (whoops I put this comment on a detractor and deleted it- haven't been on this site in a while but couldn't resist this because it fits so well with an ebook I'm writing on various offer negotiating strategies- maybe I should crawl out from my rock more often) A lot of my best recruiter friends are getting "countered" left and right." Think this is maybe the worst feeling one can get as a headhunter. Also a lot of people haven't got raises for 2 or 3 years and this may be a way to do it without dragging the ship down. Is it high probability? Maybe not! Is it worth a shot? Why not if you feel you are fairly essential. Is it an entertaining piece? For sure. Think some people either have no sense of humor or are sactimonius (probably in HR).

Comment by Maureen Sharib on October 14, 2010 at 3:55pm: Jer:
LOL <---If I could make it bigger I would. I can at least bold it:
LOL

Comment by Jerry Albright on October 14, 2010 at 3:56pm: CB - Why did I write this? I'm a recruiter and am sick and tired of being used by people who really don't want to do anything but get a counter offer. So I'm just offering an "insider's view" on how someone can make that happen.

How's someone going to be "on the street" after taking a few days off? I highly doubt that. In fact - I've never heard of anyone EVER being fired for asking about their future with a company. Have you?

Comment by Maureen Sharib on October 14, 2010 at 3:59pm: Jer, no can't say I have. ln fact, I was thinking it'd probably be grounds for a lawsuit.
I know THAT fact will interest a few of this strings readers...

Comment by Maureen Sharib on October 14, 2010 at 4:00pm: I haven't had this much fun since - oh, uhhh, the old days.

Comment by bill josephson on October 14, 2010 at 4:02pm: It's a wish for us recruiters that candidates define their present situation before they lead us down the primrose path wasting our time and possibly damaging our client relationships instead of using our offers to accomplish those goals.

You realize if an employee asks for more money in this climate saying they're unhappy with their salary they'll likely be targeted to be let go for being a malcontent in the next lay off, or groom their replacement letting them go when they least expect it?

We're in the real world, not a world of angels. When that occurs, again, please notify me. Email works.

Comment by Wendy Johnson on October 14, 2010 at 4:05pm: Please tell me that there are other recruiters out there that have the experience, skill set, or intuition to ask the right questions to avoid these counter offer scenarios all together? I understand that when it happens it hurts, but if it's happening more than once every couple years you better take a look at your process and your technique.

Comment by Maureen Sharib on October 14, 2010 at 4:09pm: Wow Jer it looks like you struck a nerve.

Comment by Andy Gregory on October 14, 2010 at 4:12pm: I marvel that people don't instantly recognize the humor, Jerry. Hilarious.

I have often told candidates to do the same thing without an ounce of the manufactured drama you suggest - however, I agree if they can dial up a winning performance they will probably get what they want. I typically just suggest they walk in their boss's office right now and resign. I like your approach better. They have to make an investment.

Whether they are going on an interview or using your suggested best practice - they lie to leverage, which is what the marketplace has dictated they do anyway.

I enjoy that you have generated some discomfort with your words. I embrace your humor like they embrace feigning success via twitter. Well done.