Receiving a counter offer can be both flattering and challenging. It’s a moment that prompts important reflection – why does your employer suddenly want to keep you, and what does it mean for your long-term career? While counter offers can seem like a genuine show of appreciation, they often serve a strategic purpose. Before making a decision, it’s essential to consider the bigger picture.
Why Is Your Employer Suddenly Fighting to Keep You?
It’s natural to wonder why it took a resignation to spark action. In many cases, counter offers are not just about retaining an individual employee but about minimising disruption to the business. Common reasons employers counter offer include:
- Retaining your expertise to avoid operational gaps.
- Maintaining team morale and continuity with clients.
- Preventing extra workload on colleagues.
- Avoiding the time and cost of recruiting and training a replacement.
- Sending a message to others that leaving isn’t an easy option.
Key Risks to Consider When Accepting a Counter Offer
The statistics don’t lie – 80% of professionals who accept a counter offer leave within six months, and 90% within a year. Why? Because the issues that made them consider leaving in the first place usually remain unresolved. Some key risks include:
- If your concerns were about culture, leadership, or career progression, a pay rise alone won’t fix this.
- A financial incentive may provide short-term satisfaction, but job dissatisfaction often returns.
- You may be perceived as a “flight risk,” which could impact future promotions or opportunities.
- In the event of restructuring or redundancies, those who previously considered leaving might be more vulnerable.
- If your employer truly valued you, why did it take an external offer to prompt change?
Handling counter offers carefully is essential to maintaining your professional reputation. Accepting a new role and then reversing your decision can affect future opportunities and how you’re perceived in your industry.
Evaluating Your Options Holistically
The best way for a counter offer to not feel overwhelming is to preempt it. It’s crucial to understand how you would navigate the counter offer situation before resigning, so you are prepared. Taking the time to assess your motivations and priorities in advance will help you make a confident decision when the time comes.
It’s important to evaluate both opportunities beyond just salary. Ask yourself:
- Career Growth: Which role aligns better with your long-term goals?
- Work-Life Balance: Will staying improve your overall well-being?
- Company Culture: Has anything genuinely changed, or will the same frustrations return?
- Recognition & Value: Is this a long-term investment in your future, or a short-term retention tactic?
- Job Security: Could staying impact your stability in the long run?
- Industry Reputation: How will your decision affect your professional standing?
Resigning the Right Way
How you resign can make a big difference in how smoothly the transition goes. The key? Less is more. The more detail you provide, the more room there is for negotiation and emotional pressure in a counter offer.
Here are a few best practices:
- Keep it brief: A simple “I have decided to accept another opportunity” is enough.
- Avoid over-explaining: The more reasons you give, the more leverage your employer has to counteract them.
- Remain professional: Express gratitude for your time with the company, but stay firm in your decision.
- Be mindful of last-minute promises: If meaningful changes were possible, they likely would have happened earlier.
Trust Your Gut
Ultimately, you know what’s best for your career. If your initial instinct was to leave, take a step back before allowing a counter offer to cloud your judgment. Making career decisions should be about long-term success and personal fulfilment, not just short-term incentives.
Have a Trusted Recruitment Partner in Your Corner
Navigating counter offers isn’t always straightforward, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Tyler Wren, we’ve helped countless professionals weigh their options and make informed career decisions.
If you’re considering your next move, let’s chat. We’re here to provide guidance tailored to your career goals and ensure you make the best decision for your future.
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