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

[Aedus]

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.

 

[Aedus]

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.

- 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.

 

[Aedus]

Thanks everyone for the answers, it makes it an easy decision. It's a shame because I really enjoy working there.

I've been transparent with them and told them weeks ago I was looking else where to kick them up the arse to try and get a development plan in place, but it wasn't until I got the offer that they decided to try and do anything.

 

[Aedus]

Just to update, I accepted the offer from the other company and today got kicked out of the office on Gardening-leave, so a month holiday before I start.