Everyone wants to advance their careers; technically, there is nothing wrong if you want to quit your old job in favor of a new one. However, telling your current boss that you have received another job requires considerable tact.
Of course, you might too feel bad about leaving your old workplace. You may have learned a lot on the job while working for your present employer, and your coworkers might have turned into loyal friends.
However, when it comes to your career, you may have certain goals, and a better job is not something you come across every day. It might be the dream job that you have always been waiting for.
However, it is unwise to unceremoniously quit your present job in favor of the new one. It would be best if you always told your boss about it first. Talk to your boss before you tell anyone else about it because you don’t want your current employer to know it from anyone else.
Telling your boss that you have got another offer might not be easy. But you cannot let that stop you from making a big change. You must prepare for it in advance and ensure that you communicate your ideas clearly and professionally, and your boss will surely understand.
When Should You Consider Taking a New Job Offer?
Many employees think twice before quitting their jobs in favor of a new one. If their work is fulfilling, and the workplace has a good ambiance with good people, then most employees only find the need to quit if they are extremely ambitious.
Moreover, there have been far too many instances where employees have left their previous jobs for a supposedly better offer. Later, they found that even if the job paid well, they ended up in a toxic workplace, or the other perks and benefits were far lower than their previous jobs.
Hence, you should only consider taking a new job offer if it pays at least 1.5 times more than your current job, has extra perks and benefits, is emotionally more fulfilling than your previous job, offers you a guaranteed promotion, gives you the opportunity to live a better lifestyle, teaches you new skills, helps you move to a new city with better amenities, or lets you enjoy more time with your family and have a better work-life balance.
Bonus Read: 9 Signs You Should Quit Your Job Immediately
5 Reasons to Tell Your Boss That You Have Another Job Offer
Getting another job offer does not mean that you have to accept it. After considering the pros and cons of accepting the offer, you should speak to your boss about it.
Hence, after considering every aspect, if you feel you do not want to take up the job offer, there is no reason to tell your boss about it just yet. You can keep on working at your new job as usual.
However, even if you do not accept the offer, you may want to tell your boss that you received one. Many employees use it as leverage to increase their present salary at their current organization or ask for a promotion.
So whatever decision you make, you should tell your boss about the job offer for the following reasons.
1. You Respect your Boss
Telling your boss that you have received another job offer is a mark of respect. Your boss has invested a lot in you by giving you training, and you have also learned new skills and upgraded old ones while working under them.
Telling your boss about your new offer and asking for their guidance and approval gives them the respect they deserve. In fact, even if you receive a lucrative offer but are unsure about accepting it, you could speak to your boss. Your boss might also be sad to see a talented employee go, but they would not mind if you bring up the topic because they would have the best interest at heart.
Considering their experience, they would give you the right advice and appreciate your approaching them.
Also Read: 12 Signs Your Boss Wants You to Leave the Job
2. Finding a Replacement
If you are serious about taking up the job offer, your employer would have to find someone to replace you.
Conducting interviews, training new employees to take time, and giving your boss a heads-up will help them prepare for it better.
When you inform your employer about it, it shows that you are mindful of the company and not only about yourself. You will do what it takes to set things right before you leave.
3. Put Things in Order
It is essential to put things in order before you leave your present organization. For example, you must complete all your pending work so that whoever joins as your replacement will have no trouble finding their way around.
You should complete your project or submit the project reports and ensure a smooth transition for the new employee. If you receive a new offer that you would consider taking up, you need to consider all these factors rather than immediately hand in your resignation.
4. Revise Salary and Perks
Another reason for telling your boss about the new offer is that if they really want to retain their employees, they might consider revising their salary package and other perks.
Your boss might also consider making other changes, which might incentivize the employees to stay. However, avoid using this as leverage and have a professional discussion with your employer.
5. Long Term Relationship
Even if you consider accepting the new offer and moving out of your present company, you must always remember, at some point, you will need your erstwhile bosses and colleagues.
You could need them for recommendations and references, and it is no good burning bridges. Being hasty because you have received a new offer is not a good idea, especially if you look to the future.
Bonus Read: What to Do When You Hate Your Job? Things to Do & Not to Do
What Can be the Outcome of Telling Your Boss That You Have Another Offer?
Once you tell your boss that you have another job offer, there can be two possible outcomes.
Accepting the Offer
Firstly, if your boss is interested in retaining you, they will ask whether you intend to accept.
If you do so because of reasons beyond the company’s reach, then your boss will not be able to help. One such example could be that you want to move closer to your family or you want to live in a particular city because of the lifestyle it offers.
However, if you want to accept the new offer because it offers a better pay package or perks, your boss might be willing to revise the package to an extent. You could also talk to them about working conditions, which will help them retain more employees.
Not Accepting the Offer
The other scenario is that you do not intend to take the job offer but use it as leverage to increase your perks and pay package. That will put you in a place of negotiation with your boss, and you should be very careful.
While there is nothing wrong with demanding what you deserve, you should not come across as playing tricks by making unreasonable demands. Your boss will look right through it and not hesitate to let you go.
Moreover, it would be best to consider that it is only because you have been looking for new and better options when you receive a new job offer. Your boss might not like that you were looking for other opportunities, which could be a delicate matter to discuss.
Points to Consider While Telling Your Boss About New Offer
When you finally tell your boss about the new job offer, remember these points to aid your discussion.
1. Be Honest
When discussing a new job offer, being honest with yourself and your boss is essential. Tell your boss everything about what compelled you to look for other positions that led to the new offer.
An understanding boss will look into your reasons. Make sure you state all the reasons honestly. Refrain from exaggerating the perks of your new offer to use it as leverage because chances are your boss will find out eventually.
2. Arrange a Meeting in Person
Instead of simply writing an email stating your stand about the new offer, ask your boss if you can meet them in person because you need to tell them something. This will show that you are not afraid to have difficult conversations and are willing to take things ahead professionally.
Your boss will appreciate you more for it. Once you have stated everything in person, follow it up with an email for documentation.
3. Prepare Yourself
You should prepare yourself well when you talk to your boss about an offer from another company. Choose your words well, and do not come across as complacent because you have another offer.
Irrespective of whether you take up the offer or not, you should always be respectful and professional. If you are still unsure about accepting it, you can talk to your boss about a few changes they could make that will induce you to stay on.
4. Choose a Good Time
Choose a good time to tell your boss about receiving another offer.
For example, avoid times when your boss is going through a problem at the company, when the company is understaffed due to the holidays, or when a huge project is coming and your boss will need all hands on deck.
This might seem like you are taking advantage of the situation and using your new offer as leverage, and your boss might decide to cut you off.
5. Be Prepared for a Counter-Offer
Once you tell your boss about your new offer, you should be prepared for a counteroffer and also be prepared to negotiate. Your boss is mindful that the new offer must have something their company is not offering, which is why you are considering it.
Hence, they might make you a counter-offer to retain their employees because no organization wants to let go of a good employee. Be professional, stay calm when that happens, and speak to your boss about your future in the company for an open and honest discussion.
Examples of Emails to Tell Your Boss About Your New Offer
Once you have spoken to your boss in person about getting another offer, it is time to put it in writing. Here are some examples of emails that you can use. You can change them according to your situation.
Example 1
Dear Josh,
I hope you are having a good day.
As discussed, I am writing to you about receiving another job offer at (name of a new company).
As much as I like working here, I want to move closer to my children, who are now studying in Ohio. I have stayed away from them for far too many years for my career, and now I want to be near them.
I am considering accepting the new offer, and I will hand in my resignation and serve the notice period duly if I do so. I assure you, you will have no problem with the transition. I will keep you posted about any developments.
You are a fantastic boss.
Thank you
(Your name)
Example 2
Dear Jonathan,
I hope you are having a good day.
I am writing to you about the new job offer from (name of the new company) I told you about the other day. I have thought through everything, and I would like to continue working here at present. Taking up that offer would mean moving to Seattle, and I don’t want to uproot my family at the moment, who are all settled in with their respective jobs and school.
However, the offer is lucrative and pays more than what I am making currently working for me. So I would request another meeting to discuss my future at your organization and a revision of my package, per the industry standards and what the new company is willing to pay.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you
(Your name)
Example 3
Dear Alisha,
I hope you are having a good day.
I have decided to take on the new job offer at (name of the new company) in Chicago that I mentioned the other day. This will be a big move for me because this is precisely what I had thought my dream job would be. Moving to a big city like Chicago will allow me to live the life I have always dreamt of. I hope you understand.
Working with you has been one of the most excellent learning experiences, and I will have very fond memories of all of you. I will hand over my resignation soon but will continue with my responsibilities till the end of my notice period. You will have no issues with the transition.
Thank you for everything.
Regards,
(Your name)
Conclusion
Accepting a new job offer is a big move. Hence, discussing it with your superior when you receive such an offer is a good idea. It also shows your commitment and loyalty; most employers will not grudge about your new success.
If you plan for it well, telling your boss that you received a new offer will be easy. Prepare yourself for the talk and time the discussion properly.
Your boss may even offer some valuable insights that will help you make a better decision that will be ultimately suitable for the betterment of your career.
