How to handle job offer and resignation?

[Rick Lee]

This is for Mrs. Lee. I'm never working the man again. She got a job offer last week that was ok, but mostly a lateral move. She asked for more, they met it. Then she asked for more again and they met it. They sent the offer letter today and now she's wondering if she can get her current employer to counter. I think this is playing a risky game, but bear in mind she's from China, where everything gets negotiated down to the last penny. I did this long ago when my mom told me I really needed to give my then current boss a chance to counter an offer I got. I was so sure he couldn't touch it, but I gave him my notice, he asked what I'd need to stay and they gave me a 40% raise on the spot. So it can happen. But what's the safest and more ethical/professional way for Mrs. Lee to handle this?

[Superman]

I'd take the bird in the hand, if it were me. Perhaps she can place herself in a similar position after a time, and then handle the negotiations more timely. But that's just me. I'm not Chinese, and not a gambler.

40% raise, Rick? That's impressive.

[cabmandone]

Oof! That's a tough one. I think I'd go to the current employer, tell them I appreciate everything they've done for me and that I've received a job offer that exceeds my current compensation. I'd then leave the ball in their court. If they value her as an employee, they'll naturally want to retain her and make an offer. I don't think I'd request that offer.

[A930Rocket]

Has she verbally agreed to the new job offer? Maybe it’s me, but I have a hard time going back on my word. Besides, maybe this new job opens up new doors and experience.

[stomachmonkey]

Never stay at a job just for the money unless money was the only reason you were looking to leave in the first place.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

Has she verbally agreed to the new job offer? Maybe it’s me, but I have a hard time going back on my word. Besides, maybe this new job opens up new doors and experience.

This. Also, if the current employer values me so much, why are they paying too little?
On the other side of the coin, what if the new place turns out to be Hades?

[Rick Lee]

Get this. She's signing the offer letter now and, when she sorted through the sent and received emails from this recruiter, it turns out they had spoken seven yrs ago. Mrs. Lee had been at her current job for a year by then, asked for more money and the recruiter went radio silent. Now the recruiter works for the new company making the offer and she's moving mountains to get Mrs. Lee to come aboard. I like Cabmando's suggestion.

But then I would also have a hard time going back on my word if I had accepted an offer already. I've seen people really, really parlay their income in these kinds of negotiations, but, when I was a W2 guy, I didn't want to make enemies. These days I work for myself and am pretty immune from bad past relationships.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

This. Also, if the current employer values me so much, why are they paying too little?
On the other side of the coin, what if the new place turns out to be Hades?

From what I overhear of her phone/Zoom/Skype calls on the days when I'm working at home, her company is always a hot mess, she has a new boss she doesn't like and, as it goes in the W2 world, there's politics, turf battles, blame games, etc. Of course, it could be worse at the new place. No way to really know.

Gawd, I'm so happy to be done with that BS. I made more money today than she will make all week and she does pretty well. I can take the rest of the week off or go out and try to really kill it some more. Either way, no one is busting my balls and I only make phone calls I feel like making.

[RANDY P]

She doesn't like her boss and if she asks for a counter she's painting a target on her back.

Leave.

rjp

[flatbutt]

Whenever I had a direct report come to me with an ask for a counter offer I always thanked them for their work to date and wished them well. It was my PoV that if they were unhappy then it was time for them to move on. If they're willing to stay just for the money then they can easily go for more money. People come, people go.

[zakthor]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Whenever I had a direct report come to me with an ask for a counter offer I always thanked them for their work to date and wished them well. It was my PoV that if they were unhappy then it was time for them to move on. If they're willing to stay just for the money then they can easily go for more money. People come, people go.

So... I'm sort of with you there. Job quality is the most important thing.

But its also rude to your people if you aren't paying them a market rate. Coming to you is a friendly reminder that the compensation is amiss. Folks came to me wanting raises I always did what I could.

I've got a friend stuck with a compensation scale where he can't compete with current insanity and it sucks for him he's losing his best people.

I don't know the situation with current job. I always took the job that was the most interesting with the best people, and I always felt like I was paid too much. Money comes second after quality of life.

[Tishabet]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Never stay at a job just for the money unless money was the only reason you were looking to leave in the first place.

+1

With her current company for 8 years... perhaps reason to choose a new adventure?

Ethics aside, even with a signed offer letter Mrs. Lee can basically do whatever she wants including recanting later. There is little recourse and it is not that uncommon (at least in my industry) to hear about this happening but of course you are burning bridges, word could get around if she works in a very tight knit industry, etc.

When I look to switch jobs I go all in and try to get multiple offers landing around the same time if possible partially to drive up the price.

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by RANDY P

She doesn't like her boss and if she asks for a counter she's painting a target on her back.

Leave.

rjp

This

[cstreit]

*Asking* for a counter would likely create animosity. No one likes to be handed ultimatums.

Is she happy other then money?

The way to handle this is to turn in her resignation. If they decide to counter she can share with them her current offer if she would prefer to stay…. But she should be prepared to leave.

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

never stay at a job just for the money unless money was the only reason you were looking to leave in the first place.

+1

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Whenever I had a direct report come to me with an ask for a counter offer I always thanked them for their work to date and wished them well. It was my PoV that if they were unhappy then it was time for them to move on. If they're willing to stay just for the money then they can easily go for more money. People come, people go.

Yep! I agree with this too.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Get this. She's signing the offer letter now and, when she sorted through the sent and received emails from this recruiter, it turns out they had spoken seven yrs ago. Mrs. Lee had been at her current job for a year by then, asked for more money and the recruiter went radio silent. Now the recruiter works for the new company making the offer and she's moving mountains to get Mrs. Lee to come aboard. I like Cabmando's suggestion.

But then I would also have a hard time going back on my word if I had accepted an offer already. I've seen people really, really parlay their income in these kinds of negotiations, but, when I was a W2 guy, I didn't want to make enemies. These days I work for myself and am pretty immune from bad past relationships.

Definitely. If the offer was accepted that should be honored and no attempt at getting the current employer to counter.

[KFC911]

^^^^ There is no "honor" in big corporate America... zip, zilch, nada... none.

signed.....

An old ho'

[cabmandone]

Believe me, I know. But lowering yourself to their level wouldn't be something I'd be all to eager to do. I still need to be able to look at myself in the mirror and like the person I am.

[KFC911]

I've just seen too much from back in the day... mostly merger/acquisition bs and the corporate lies to make it happen. No mirrors in those ivory towers either ... that's for sure! I only ho'd for four... good pimps go bad too