How to handle a counteroffer
How to handle a counteroffer
A counteroffer can throw a spanner in the works. You’re all set to move job, excited for more money, fresh challenges and new company culture and then your current employer counter offers you, the place where you may have spent hours complaining to colleagues about countless things but now you’re still wondering if you should stay, sound familiar?
Now you must carefully consider both opportunities and weigh up the pros and cons, here are a few tips to help you.
1. Why were you looking in the first place?
50%-80% of employees voluntarily leave their employer within six months of accepting a counteroffer as promises aren’t kept! There must have been a reason you uploaded your CV to a job site or contacted a recruiter and whatever that reason maybe it’s unlikely going to change if it hasn’t done so already.
2. Apart from the money, what will change?
An employer may feel that if you’re an asset to their business by throwing more money at you it could change your mind and you would stay (and for some people this may be enough). BUT, don’t forget the other reasons you would dread heading into work in the mornings.
3. Compare between all jobs
If you’re in this position you would have had interviews with other companies, if so when you came out of the interviews did you feel excited about the role and the prospects of starting a new job? If so, this is a strong indicator that it’s time to move on.
4. Would progression still be an option?
If you accept the counteroffer, then consider the possibilities of progression, would you still have that opportunity? Not to mention that should the worst happen, and your company need to make redundancies, would you be the first in the firing line because managers now see you as the employee who debated accepting a job offer from a competitor?
Receiving a counteroffer does have one big perk. It shows you that your current employer does value you, what you bring to the company and that they’d be sad to see you leave. Although this is a nice thought, you need to put you and your career first. Carefully and professionally go over both/all offers and feel confident with your final decision, whether that is to stay or go.
