We had to share this one. 😃
The cartoon highlights a consistent experience we have with most candidates (understandably so) in that compensation ultimately drives an individual’s decision to pursue and accept a new opportunity.
Of course, other factors such as location, challenge, culture, purpose, benefits, family considerations, and flexibility influence an individual’s interest in a particular career opportunity, but it is almost always compensation, and the potential for higher future earnings, that ultimately converts an offer into an acceptance.
For this reason, employers need to approach the compensation component of an offer thoughtfully. Start with a clear understanding of the compensation market for a given role, accounting for variations in education, experience, and capability (intel we bring to our clients). Understand your organization’s compensation limits. These limits should be communicated clearly in the search process, and offers should be fair and competitive, and with well-defined expectations around future compensation growth.
Transparency throughout the search process is key, because a compensation impasse at the offer stage is no laughing matter.