The New Dictionary of Hiring

Movement Premium

/MOOV-MUHNT PREE-MEE-UHM/

NOUN

The Movement Premium is the added value a person needs to see before leaving a good job for an uncertain new one.

MEANING

Your vacancy isn't competing with unemployment. It's competing with someone's manager, colleagues, flexibility, reputation, seniority, commute, stock, momentum and the comforting fact that Tuesday is predictable.

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A 7% raise might not be the irresistible adventure you imagine. What would make leaving genuinely worthwhile? More money, perhaps. Or bigger problems, more trust, better work, greater scope. That's the Movement Premium you have to earn.

Defined by:
James Ellis,
Employer Brand Labs

Category:

Economics

Related Terms:

Compensation Substitution

The New Dictionary of Hiring card: Movement Premium, noun. The added value a person needs to see before leaving a good job for an uncertain new one. Abstract iridescent glass shape on a white background.

MAKE THE CHANGE

Instead of:

Assuming everyone has a price and you've simply guessed it incorrectly.

Ask:

What would have to become meaningfully better for this person to leave what they already have?

EXAMPLE

A qualified person likes the manager, team and flexibility they already have. Your offer adds a slightly bigger title and a modest raise. They stay, to nobody's great surprise.

HOW TO USE IT

Before building an offer or outreach message, understand what a successful person would have to gain to justify leaving. Test whether the opportunity offers enough of that gain.

SAY IT TO LEADERSHIP

We're asking people with good jobs to take a risk on us. What are we offering that's genuinely worth the move? 'It's a great opportunity' isn't an answer.

NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH

Movement Threshold and Switching Burden: the Switching Burden is what a person gives up by moving; the Movement Threshold is the point where moving becomes worth it; the Movement Premium is the extra value you must offer to get them past that point.