Counter Offer - Too Good To Be True?

Exodi

Hi MSE,

So I've been working at my current position for 4 months (this is also a temporary contact till Jan 2018). About a week ago I was approached by a large company I had had a set of interviews with about a year ago. Long story short, I was offered a job with this company and could start as soon as possible. The starting salary was ~£5,000 more than what I'm currently on (and as a MUCH larger company would have opportunities to progress).

After thinking on it, I wrote my notice up and handed it in to the sales director (we'll call mr X). Mr X said the normal speech about how it was a shame to lose me etc and asked about the new role. I was vague on the exact details and whether it was just the salary (to which I said it was) but he did appreciate why I'd want to take the new role.

He then offers me a Regional Sales Manager position for an additional ~£5,000 on top of the other offer, a permanent contract, a company car, laptop, phone, commission of 1% for all sales in the south of the uk (£5-10k additional) and expenses.

So now I have two offers, the second obviously way better and I'm getting paranoid it might not materialize? I'm worried if I shut the door for this new company and I'm not offered the promotion at the end of my notice, I'm left unemployed!

Is there any precautions I can take? My friends have said to accept both roles (then if it looks like the director changes his tune at the end, I can jump ship!) Should I ask him to write up an employment contract?

I'm probably just being paranoid, this weeks been crazy! :eek:

xapprenticex

Dont turn down the other job, like you said, this counter offer may not happen, get it in writing quickly. But again, your 2 years may reset so loss of job security (i may be wrong), other company is large so you have progression, do you have it at your current place. Hard choice, can end up with nothing if you are not careful.

Exodi

I hadn't worked at my current employer for two years anyway so job security is a non-issue. As the role I'd effectively be promoted to is quite senior, only promotional routes after this would be to director (this company only has around 25 employees) - this was discussed, the Sales Director was emphasizing that he used to be Regional Sales Manager beforehand (though this could just be persuading me to stay).

Am I OK to accept both roles (albeit inevitably awkwardly having to decline one days before I start)?

nicechap

If your current employer had really valued you before you got the new job they would have promoted you already.

Decline gracefully the offer (never burn bridges) and move onto the new employer.

getmore4less

Has this job suddenly materialized from nowhere?

4 month is long enough to have got a good feel for a small company performance and growth potential.

trailingspouse

You sound like you don't trust your current employer, and don't think this sudden and unexpected promotion will materialise. I think you've answered your own question - time to move on.

iammumtoone

4 months is a very short time to be offered that kind of promotion, you must be very good and if you are why haven't the current company offered you something before you decided to leave.

I would take the job with the new company at least you know it is an actual vacancy.

Brightonsbest_2

I'd go for the larger company

copperclock

Similar thing happened to my OH. He got his current company's offer in writing in the same day (under my advice) and is happily still there on much improved pay. It can happen.

Well done, and good luck!

Exodi

This position is a current vacancy (the person previously doing the job left end of December to travel the world). It wasn't a position I'd inquired about (I wasn't actively looking for a new role, I was head-hunted by the newer company). That said I have been commended by senior management for going into my current role 'running'.

My paranoia isn't entirely stemming from distrust of my current employer, naturally there is the possibility that playing this badly could land me no job!

Majestic12

Sometimes the grass is greener on the other side, especially when it comes to counter offers. They obviously did not value enough in the first place - time to make a move and don't look back