dealing with counter offers

Once you have successfully secured a job offer, the next step is usually handing in your notice to your current manager.  This is not always straight forward – once your manager realises, they are about to lose you, they may decide to try to entice you to stay with the company with offers of a pay rise and better job prospects. So how should you deal with counter offers? Well... these situations demand finesse, strategic thinking, and a well-thought-out approach.

Receiving a counteroffer is, undoubtedly, a flattering acknowledgment of your value within an organisation. However, firstly consider why you're looking for a new role in the first place. Is it just because you want to earn more money, or are there other issues with the role itself - for instance, the company or the team you're working with? And would a pay rise remove these issues?

Secondly, ask yourself why your current employers were unwilling to offer you a pay rise prior to you handing in your notice – did they undervalue your skills? Would the same issue arise in the future?

If they have offered, you a promotion:

• Was this always on the cards or are they just reacting to the situation?
• How different is the new role from your old role?
• Is it something you want to do?
• What are your prospects?

The facts - Counter offer statistics

• According to national surveys of employees who accept counteroffers, 50 - 80% voluntarily leave their employer within six months of accepting the counteroffer because promises made to them in the offer have not been kept.
• Most employees who accept counteroffers involuntarily leave their current employers within twelve months of accepting the counteroffer (their contracts have been terminated, or they've been made redundant).

The reasons for the above facts are simple. Most leavers don’t quote money as the main reason for leaving. Usually, it’s a clash with management style, a perception of having hit the glass ceiling of promotional opportunity, a lack of motivation or something as simple as lack of recognition.

Why Expose Yourself to Counter Offers?

More than 85% of managers believe employees leave because they have been pulled away by "more pay" or "a better opportunity". Yet, more than 80% of employees say their decision was related to "push" factors related to poor management practices or toxic cultures that drove them out.

It is therefore imperative to be as clear and as honest as possible early on in your discussions about your reasons for leaving or looking to leave.  This early identification and communication of the problem can often help organisations to identify, prevent, and correct the root causes of preventable turnover.

Think carefully about these factors while considering a counteroffer:

• From the day of your resignation, your loyalty will always be in question – which may to be an obstacle to future promotions.
• Why is your employer offering you what you deserve now, rather than before your resignation?
• How will it appear to other employees – will it set a precedent? Will it cause friction?
• Has the real reason you resigned been adequately addressed?
• Is the employer able keep your interest, and is there a definite opportunity for progression?
• But if you do decide to stay – how easy will your resignation be forgotten, you will have to work extremely hard to win back your employer’s trust.
• If the role you have been offered is with an organisation you covet, by not accepting, will it reduce your chances of being offered from the same organisation in the future?

If the employer can’t match your requirements and expectations in the very near future, then there is no point in staying – you will only look to move further on down the line. If you are worth the increase in pay and career advancement that you are seeking, but you don't really want to leave the company, make sure that you ask and communicate your requirements and the reasons why before you look elsewhere.

Dealing with counteroffers is an inevitable part of the professional journey. By approaching these situations with a strategic mindset, open communication, and a clear understanding of your professional goals, you can navigate the delicate balance of career advancement successfully. Remember, each decision is a stepping stone towards your long-term success, so make it count.