It is not unheard of for employers to suddenly offer a promotion/ pay rise or incentive to an employee once they have resigned.

It can be very flattering to say the least, however it can also be irritating for some employees who have spent months trying to secure that promotion and only at the point of giving up hope, decided to seek that elsewhere.

The stress of resigning can be overwhelming, in anticipation of the reaction of your boss;  how will they take it? Some people find that their employer then gives them the cold shoulder and is dismissive and rude; others find them to be very understanding. Sometimes employers chose to make a counter offer to make things better for them.

In a moment of anxiety/ panic  or concern your boss might be thinking already about :

Where to find another replacement? How do I train them? What will my clients say? How can I make life easier for me?  How can I make them stay? 

Being made an attractive counter offer is instantly good for your ego, but before you decide whether to stay and accept or go, make sure you think through the following ideas which Brian Moore has highlighted.

Firstly remember that you  have only received a counter offer because you resigned. This is a reactive tactic and not because your employer has found you worthy whilst working with them and chosen to reward this accordingly. Do you need to resign every time you want to get on?  

Is your employer doing this as a short term fix and will the promotion (if that is what is offered) really happen the way you want it to. Research has shown that a large proportion of people who have chosen to accept the counter offer, end up looking for a new job within the following 6-12 month once they have realised that a lot of promises hadn’t been fulfilled.

The counter offer could have been a way of filling a short term need, however your employer may start to question your long term loyalty and consider you a  risk.

Importantly remember why you chose to leave in the first place? Do those reasons still exist? E.g. bad client management, lack of morale in the office, poor management as a whole, salary too low (well beyond market rate), lack of opportunity for internal staff …  The easiest problem to deal with is money, however money is not the main factor for most people’s reason for leaving and  the other issues are often the ones that don’t change and remain the same.

Getting your dream job in market research is no mean feat. Companies are becoming increasingly picky about what they’re looking for and more and more roles are becoming withdrawn or filled internally. Having the right skill set, attitude and bags of enthusiasm can help you to get the job you really want.

Here’s some tips on how you can tick all (or at least most) of the boxes…

Your cv ultimately decides whether or not you get invited to an interview, so it’s important it’s the best possible reflection of your career history.

Include a profile/summary statement at the top of your cv; this gives you the opportunity to personalise it, highlight your strengths/key skills and advise what you’re looking for.

List out tasks/responsibilities in bullet points

Create a tailored version of your cv for each role you apply for – look at what terminology they and what they’re looking for and ensure your cv reflects this (being truthful of course!)

Keep it to two sides of A4 and ensure all of the formatting, grammar and spelling is correct!

Let your personality shine through in the interview.

The personality/cultural fit within an organisation is often just as important as the right skillset.Employers

are usually seeking well rounded individuals, with interests outside of work and ability to build rapport in an

interview setting. This is even more important for client facing roles, where relationship with clients is

paramount.

Show ambition – within their business. Don’t be afraid to express your desire to work hard and do well.

Most market research companies (especially the larger ones) will value this trait and will help you to progress.

However, beware the ’jumpy’ cv. Think carefully about your career choices, as market research employers –

recruiting for permanent roles – are looking for candidates that are going to commit to their business

Swot up. A common reason candidates do not get the job is a lack of understanding of the company and role. Employers want to feel valued and assured that that you really want their job, so do your research on the company’s website, Linkedin account and in the press, as well as studying the job spec

Be concise. Know how to articulate what you do in a concise yet informative manner, whilst selling what you do. This is easier said than done and requires practise

Show enthusiasm. Good market researchers are naturally curious people. Prepare intelligent questions which show you’re taking the opportunity seriously and imagining yourself in the role. Ask what the next steps are, this is a good way to bring the conversation to an end

Practise your hand shake, no one likes a limp fish!