Bad News if You're Hoping for a Counteroffer

Global staffing firm Robert Half recently conducted a survey on counteroffers "based on interviews with more than 2,200 CFOs at companies in more than 20 of the largest U.S. markets." The conclusion? Here are the two key findings:

• 78% of CFOs do not extend counteroffers to keep employees from leaving the company.

• 34% of CFOs who did extend counteroffers then had to increase the salaries of other employees too.

So if you're hoping from a counteroffer from your employer -- or even worse, job hunting with the specific intent of trying to increase bargaining power with your current employer -- then you should realize this is a bad career strategy. Employers don't like to be threatened and those that cave to threats quickly learn it's expensive.

Ideally, neither you nor your employer are waiting so long to review your compensation. If you feel you're underpaid and undervalued, then address that on its own. And realize that if you secure other job offers, you may find yourself needing to accept one of the them.