Should You Accept a Counter-Offer? | Talent Guardian

You've accepted a new job. You resign. Then your current employer says: “What would it take for you to stay?”
Suddenly there's more money, perhaps a promotion and promises about the future. What should you do?
Go back to why you started looking
This is the most important question. Why did you take that first recruiter call? Money? Progression? Culture? Management? Flexibility? Feeling undervalued? Has the counter-offer genuinely fixed the issue?
Would you have stayed without the money?
That's another useful test. If your employer offered exactly the same salary but promised everything else would improve, would you withdraw your resignation? If the answer is no, think carefully.
Compare careers, not salaries
Your existing employer might suddenly offer £5,000 more than your new one. But where will each opportunity take you? Consider responsibility, learning, leadership, progression and future earning potential.
Remember that staying is an option
Recruiters shouldn't pretend accepting a counter-offer is always wrong. Sometimes staying genuinely is the best decision. It's your career. Our job is to help you think it through objectively.
Don't decide emotionally
Being told how valued you are feels good. Leaving people you know can feel uncomfortable. But imagine yourself six months from now. Which decision are you more likely to be pleased you made?

A counter-offer can change your salary overnight. Make sure it also changes whatever made you want to leave.

Back to blogs