NEWS
CAREER Professional development tips for executive-level PAs
INDUSTRY EXPERT
ALEX JONES
Counter offers : what you need to know
Leaving a job , especially one you ’ ve held for some time , can be difficult . Add to that being put under pressure to stay and having your reasons for leaving challenged – this does not make it easier .
How to handle a counter offer At this stage , you may be likely to encounter a counter offer and as enticing as this may be , it ’ s important to consider your options .
Ask yourself why you wanted to leave initially . Presumably , after careful consideration , you decided that , for whatever reason , you weren ’ t happy in your current EA role . And your motivation to leave must have been genuine since you not only looked for a new job but applied to , interviewed for and accepted one .
Why then would a pay rise , new job title or additional benefits convince you to stay ? It ’ s flattering to receive a counter offer but you should try look at the situation objectively .
In these cases , the employee finds that engagement and motivation fall . Trust no longer exists with their boss . Plus , their employer could demand more because of their new salary package . The employee could also begin to question why their boss didn ’ t offer them what they deserve before they resigned …
In summary While every situation is unique , be careful to not accept a hollow counter offer . Instead , in the interest of career advancement , thank your boss for the offer and move on .
If you do decide to stay , consider that many have reported that they had to work hard to win back their employer ’ s trust and prove their loyalty . Good luck . S
Alex Jones is Senior Regional Director at Hays Office Support
When to accept a counter offer If your employer actively addresses the reasons behind your resignation , it might be worth considering . In this case , ensure genuine action will be taken before agreeing to stay .
When not to accept a counter offer Definitive action can be rare , though . Most counter offers involve material perks rather than change that engages and develops the career of the employee – and addresses their original job search motivations .
66 Executive PA | Autumn Issue 2022