The year 2020 created a platform for people to take a step back, reassess not only their personal circumstances but their professional strategy and what that will look like moving forward. We saw people take a step back in their career for a work life balance, people going off to study and other changing their professional direction completely.
But what we also saw was that people who were employed were very hesitant to move jobs, as they were nervous about security and stability. This was the philosophy of last in first out if there was another shut down. Organisations were only hiring for business critical roles, which meant they had the need and requirement for those roles to be filled.
With confidence picking up, we have seen more people explore their options which has been great. It has also meant that people have a clearer vision of what they want from their next role.
I am a firm believer that you must ask yourself a few questions before putting your application out into the market
- Identify WHY you are exploring the market? (i.e. internal politics, lack of growth & development, remuneration, etc.)
- Have you approached your manager to see if something can be done about the frustrations you may have?
- If there is an option to resolve your frustration/concern – will that be the outcome you want?
- If there is no scope for resolution, are you ready to move?
I always ask these questions in the initial phone screen AND interview to ascertain whether job seekers are 100 % sure they are ready to make the move.
We have seen an increase in counter offers in 2021, as people are still hedging their bets when they get to the final offer of employment stage, but something to consider in this instance is:
- When you go back to your Manager to let them know you have received an offer with the hope of a counteroffer, you have broken trust as they are now aware that you have been exploring your options
- If your motive to move is not financially based, will the new increase resolve the frustrations you have and give you job satisfaction?
- If it is financially based and you had approached your manager prior to exploring the market and were not successful in obtaining an increase to your salary if now offered an increase upon your resignation, would you really want to remain in a business that knows your worth but didn’t reward you for it, until now.
- Statistically , 80 % of people who accept a counteroffer, return to the job market within 6 – 12 months
Other than your employer, your brand can be impacted in the market with the recruiter or hiring manager and the future employer, especially if you were asked the question around a counteroffer and you confidently confirmed that you were not open to one!
With 2020 behind us, there was the assumption that things would get back to normal – in all areas of our lives… professional and personal. But the COVID hangover is going to be a protracted one and there are still challenges ahead of all of us.
Not all Covid related!
