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Recently at an job interview I was asked a question I had never been asked before.
Are you expecting to get a counter offer when you announce your departure?
I answered truthfully and backed my answer with a rationale. But I'm wondering...
What kind of answers might be perceived as negative for the interviewer? What kind of answers would be perceived positively? What would be a good answer to this question?
Answers to this I am happy hearing:
Answers I am not happy hearing:
Answers I am neutral on:
There are many motivations for asking this question. Chances are, they are asking "are we likely to have several rounds of negotiation with you every time you tell your employer we've won, and they raise the bid?" If this is the question, you can reassure them without actually answering whether you expect a counter offer or not. But they may be asking "how much do they value you at your current employer right now?" or "how 'into' the whole negotiation and strategy thing are you, and how important is salary to you?" The best answers are not just to the literal question (yes/no) but to the underlying wondering that prompted it.
As always, don't lie or just say what you think they want to hear. If you say you would never consider a counter offer, then get one, consider it, and go back to the new employer trying to get them to raise their offer, that's unlikely to be met well. So take some time to establish what the truth is for you on this matter.
Depending on whether you think you'd get one -
"No. My company has enough depth and backup training that they can handle normal employee turnover without resorting to extraordinary measures. I'd like to think they'll miss me and don't want me to leave, but I've documented my work well enough that my co-workers or replacement will be able to pick up my projects."
"Yes, probably. They consider me to be a valuable employee. However, I'm interested in joining your company because this position offers better opportunities for my career. It's not just about the money, so even a big counter-offer would not keep me there once I've made the commitment to a new employer. Besides, the counter-offer is usually a short-term fix for the employer, and accepting them usually does not work out well for the employee."
I think taking the middle ground is the best approach here as it doesn't indicate a preference to one or the other companies, but puts them on equal bargaining sides similar to if you are applying externally to two companies.
Something like,
I am not sure, but if they do I will consider it along side any offers I receive from other companies I apply to.
This also, keeps your internal biases to yourself and keeps the interview relationship professional.
Also, I personally think if the company wants to know how badly you want to work for their company they should ask that and get an honest answer instead of implying through misdirection about offers and salary. An honest employer at the interview is more likely to be an honest employer in the job and vice versus.
There are people looking for a raise in their current job and the only way they feel they can get it is to get an offer from another company, on hopes that they get a counteroffer from the current job. Accordingly, as for that question, anyone answering, "Yes! I'm expecting a counteroffer!" might be perceived as a red flag to an interviewer. It'd be a waste of a company's time to sideline all other applicants, make someone an offer, and have that person decline in lieu of a counteroffer -- so this helps the interviewer. Answering "yes" would be pretty dumb, in my opinion.
Oh, I can think of millions of negative answers:
Oh, they're just as happy to see me go as I am to leave, so a counter offer won't happen.
I'm expecting that they'll match your offer, which was my plan all along.
They couldn't offer me enough to stay, I'm sick of that place!
Your offer is so low that I'm sure they would match it, but I'm leaving anyway.
They might counter - but they you'll counter their counter, right? I'm worth it.
So you're saying that you think that your offer isn't high enough?
What other companies offer me, including the one I currently work for, is none of your business.
I'm sure they won't be making a counter after the many complaints they've received about me.
I could go on and on...
As for positives, I think that pretty much anything that'll put them at ease and let them know that you're excited to make the move to their company would do.
A good answer to this question would depend on the situation. Do you really want to leave your present job? Is this THE place you want to work? Do you want this company to know everything about what other companies are offering or might offer you? If you are really excited about moving to this company, give a good answer; if you're not too sure, give a vague answer; if you really would rather not, give any answer. Just don't show all of your cards, that's never a good idea. You don't owe anyone that.
After thinking for some time, I probably would answer: yes, but that would only be money and not fix the long-term career prospects, for which I want to leave.
