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I hear the advice that "never accept a counter offer", but this is specifically how I got all my raises in a company I stayed in for more than 4 years. I still

I hear the advice that "never accept a counter offer", but this is specifically how I got all my raises in a company I stayed in for more than 4 years. I still do occasional freelance to them despite moving on. I went to other companies to find out what my market value was and this helped me convince my company that I deserve a raise. They weren't looking to replace me or anything and we still have a good relationship with no hard feelings.

diob 6y ago
Yeah, that's the same way I've gone about getting raises. And like you, I don't have a bad relationship with the company I'm at. Even if I do end up leaving, I think they'd be happy to work with me again in the future. I think folks assume people will be upset about these sorts of things, but any company worth it's salt realizes that you're both there to make money. It's a business relationship.
- bradlys 6y ago
  The problem is - how do you determine if a company is worth its salt? It's easy to say these generic things but how do you determine such things? I've found unicorns gushing with hundreds of millions of dollars in liquid cash will fire employees at the slightest bit of dissatisfaction with the job. Somehow they got lots of $$$ - yet they will fire as soon as someone shows distaste with what they have to do daily because it isn't growing them. Beyond that: If an employer isn't going to do things you want until you show that you're leaving with an offer in hand - are they really a company worth their salt? Are they really going to keep up a good act or do you need to get a counter offer every time they don't do things you'd like?
  - mewpmewp2 6y ago
    I think getting an offer from somewhere else works out well for both sides. It gives a clear indication on how much you are worth on the market without having to guess from both sides. From employees's pov - if a company would increase my salary and I didn't have actual info what others were willing to offer I would still be second-guessing - would I be better off somewhere else, how do I know if what they are offering is fair? If I ask for a specific raise without having any other offers how will the employer know that I'm not BSing? It's very difficult to know the fair price without data from competitors. I guess what one should do is save enough money so they could last at least 6 months without having to rely on a job. This will open so many doors and remove any desperation during negotiations. Then it won't matter if they start to look for a replacement. And you already have evidence that other companies will be happy to hire you. Otherwise it's probably gut feeling whether the company is the type to be reasonable about business and not take things personally.

diob 6y ago

Yeah, that's the same way I've gone about getting raises. And like you, I don't have a bad relationship with the company I'm at. Even if I do end up leaving, I think they'd be happy to work with me again in the future. I think folks assume people will be upset about these sorts of things, but any company worth it's salt realizes that you're both there to make money. It's a business relationship.

bradlys 6y ago
The problem is - how do you determine if a company is worth its salt? It's easy to say these generic things but how do you determine such things? I've found unicorns gushing with hundreds of millions of dollars in liquid cash will fire employees at the slightest bit of dissatisfaction with the job. Somehow they got lots of $$$ - yet they will fire as soon as someone shows distaste with what they have to do daily because it isn't growing them. Beyond that: If an employer isn't going to do things you want until you show that you're leaving with an offer in hand - are they really a company worth their salt? Are they really going to keep up a good act or do you need to get a counter offer every time they don't do things you'd like?
- mewpmewp2 6y ago
  I think getting an offer from somewhere else works out well for both sides. It gives a clear indication on how much you are worth on the market without having to guess from both sides. From employees's pov - if a company would increase my salary and I didn't have actual info what others were willing to offer I would still be second-guessing - would I be better off somewhere else, how do I know if what they are offering is fair? If I ask for a specific raise without having any other offers how will the employer know that I'm not BSing? It's very difficult to know the fair price without data from competitors. I guess what one should do is save enough money so they could last at least 6 months without having to rely on a job. This will open so many doors and remove any desperation during negotiations. Then it won't matter if they start to look for a replacement. And you already have evidence that other companies will be happy to hire you. Otherwise it's probably gut feeling whether the company is the type to be reasonable about business and not take things personally.