Counter offered, don't know what to do! HELP!

Aedus

Aedus

Aedus

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Okay, so I'm in a pickle with what to do, I went for a new job at company B and got accepted for the position, company B is a big company in FTSE 100, my current company A doesn't even make a blip on the map (Not that important, but still).

The reason I went for the interview was lack of progression, everything else about the company I love, love the people, the work, the flexibility, everything. So after I got accepted for job at Company B, Company A have counter offered with a full development plan for me over the next 5 years (including pay rises where appropriate, but none right now), which basically transition me from a Jr to a Snr level role, however they seem somewhat flaky with promises, since Brexit for example they had a massive recruitment and training freeze after promising me training courses last year, but apparently this is different now and I'll definitely get what's promised.

The job at Company B isn't necessarily what I want to be doing long term, my current role (preferred) is a UX Designer, the role at Company B would be a UX Developer, closely related but not the same thing. Both roles would start off Jr level, and presumably move up to standard and Snr level.

Firstly I've already accepted the job at Company B on Monday, I'm feeling it's too late in the process to pull out now. Secondly my preferred job (What i'm doing now) may take a hit if I go to Company B, but since they're closely related I may be able to side step at a later point but I'm not 100% sure how easy it will be. Thirdly the work I do at my current company is a much more involved role, think redesigning entire pages and paths within the website, the role at Company B would be a smaller role with smaller incremental changes like maybe a panel on a page or the way information is displayed which I wouldn't be able to add to a portfolio because someone else would do the design.

So my pickle is: Do I trust the company I work for now, that they will deliver on their promises, work on big pieces of work and do a job I prefer and have some great pieces of work I've designed to add to my portfolio or do I jump ship to Company B and try and develop myself there and hope that I'll be able to transition into the role that I want further down the line.
 
Its not too late to change your mind, if that is what you want to do.

However having read your post, why would you accept an offer of nothing but promises from a company already flakey on delivering what they've promised?
 
In general, accepting the counter offer is a bad idea. Chances are nothing will change and you are now marked as the bloke who's leaving anyway. The "none right now" is a big red flag - they don't seem to be trying that hard to keep you.

However, you miss a few things out that probably should be considered:

- Why did you apply to B and want to leave A in the first place. Was it just the lack of progression.
- Money and package. What's the salary and benefits difference - also things like the commute time and cost differences.
- Were there other possibilities than B. It doesn't sound like much of an improvement over A in terms of what you want to do.
 
mid_gen said:
Never take a counter offer.
Click to expand...

I always feel there's 2 sides to this.
On the one side i agree with mid_gen.
But on the other side, sometimes it does take a wake-up call to your current boss to realise you are not to be taken for granted and that they would be in the foo doo if you left.

It's natural for certain company attitudes to adopt the policy of "get the most out of them for the smallest pay out".
But when push comes to shove, they will invest if they don't want to lose you.
However, sometimes that's too little too late and your faith and confidence in them is shaken.
Either way, good luck buddy.
 
peterwalkley said:
In general, accepting the counter offer is a bad idea. Chances are nothing will change and you are now marked as the bloke who's leaving anyway. The "none right now" is a big red flag - they don't seem to be trying that hard to keep you.

However, you miss a few things out that probably should be considered:

- Why did you apply to B and want to leave A in the first place. Was it just the lack of progression.
- Money and package. What's the salary and benefits difference - also things like the commute time and cost differences.
- Were there other possibilities than B. It doesn't sound like much of an improvement over A in terms of what you want to do.
Click to expand...

- Lack of progression and training was the main driving point behind it, with no progression on salary either, which has now been promised (Apparently).
- No commute time difference, pay is slightly more at Company B, but nothing to shout home about, the benefits difference is massive however.
- I just applied on a whim, a few friends work there and said it's a good company to work for, and thought there was nothing to lose. The role I do at Company A is what I want to be doing, but just on a bigger scale with the training required. The job at Company B isn't necessarily what I would choose to do full time, but part of my role at Company A is doing what i'd be doing at Company B anyway, so they're not a mile apart. Example: Company A - Concept ideas and implementation. Company B - Modifying others concepts and implementation.
 
From my external perspective I'm not getting the feeling the counter offer from A is worth the paper it is written on - no immediate pay rise suggests to me they are desperate but can't afford what you are really worth to them and hoping they can keep stalling/you'll forget or whatever down the road.
 
Beerbaron said:
Company A had their chance. If they didn't full fill their promises last time what makes you think they will this time.
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This - the counter offer is more like "bugger - we need to keep him till we find a replacement"

Your not happy and wouldn't have looked elsewhere unless you wanted to leave.

Start walking, don't burn your bridges, however, don't look back........
 
You've mentioned that company A didn't offer any more money? I presume the role at company B is paying more in addition to the move there perhaps offering more progression prospects?

If you've landed a new role already paying more and with clear progression then an employer that has made vague promises in the past starts promising things but can't even stump up the cash right now it really doesn't look good.

I'd be inclined to reject the counter, unless they were offering more money right now then it likely isn't worth it.
 
The only way I could see this working is absolute, set in stone timescales at your current job, in writing, with the firm knowledge that if x doesn't happen on or before y date, you'll be off. If they really do want to keep you, they'll agree to this. If they're non committal or would rather 'keep this on the back burner' then they're trying to keep you but shaft you at the same time.
 
I'll expand on my 'Never take a counter offer.' statement.

1) They should have offered you it before you said you'd had enough and were leaving

2) They probably won't deliver on it

3) You will be black-marked as 'disloyal' and likely be treated somewhat as a second-class employee. Probably not literally, or formally, but you will be 'that guy that has been looking to leave'.
 
mid_gen said:
I'll expand on my 'Never take a counter offer.' statement.

1) They should have offered you it before you said you'd had enough and were leaving

2) They probably won't deliver on it

3) You will be black-marked as 'disloyal' and likely be treated somewhat as a second-class employee. Probably not literally, or formally, but you will be 'that guy that has been looking to leave'.
Click to expand...

This a million times over. You've already shown your hand, they'll never trust you.
 
Had you bought up the lack of progression/payrises with your current employer?

If not, then it's a bit iffy in terms of whether they'll stick to their promises.

If you have bought it up, and it's taken a threat of leaving for them to put a decent offer on the table, then i say screw them.
 
Sounds like a lot of promises that don't add up to much. If I was in your situation, I'd move. Sadly, it's the best way to make career progression in most cases.
 
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