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Counter-offers are becoming increasingly common in today’s competitive job market. After investing time and effort into securing a new role, you might find yourself facing an unexpected dilemma: your current employer, eager not to lose you, presents a counter-offer.
At first glance, the offer can feel flattering – perhaps a pay rise, new responsibilities, or additional perks. But is accepting it in your best interest, or does it support your long-term career plan?
While every situation is unique, counter-offers often raise the same questions: will this opportunity finally address the frustrations that pushed you to explore the market? Or is it simply a temporary fix that delays the inevitable?
Use this guide to jump to what you need to know about handling a counter-offer:
Related: Why do I need to tell recruiters and employers my last-drawn salary?
A counter-offer is a proposal from your current employer to persuade you to stay after you resign. It can take many forms, from a straight salary increase to a new job title, additional responsibilities, or additional company benefits like flexible working hours.
Understanding the motivations behind the counter-offer is key. Is your employer recognising your value, or are they focused on avoiding the disruption and cost of replacing you?
The answer can guide your decision on whether to remain or move forward.
When weighing a counter-offer, look beyond the salary increase. Compare the entire compensation package – bonuses, benefits, equity – with the new role you have been offered.
More importantly, ask yourself whether the counter-offer truly addresses the reasons you began your job search in the first place.
If you were seeking better growth prospects, a healthier work-life balance, or a new challenge, does this revised offer provide them? If not, the raise may only mask the same frustrations that pushed you to explore external opportunities.
Take time to revisit why you began your job search. Was it purely financial, or were there deeper issues – like limited career progression, a lack of recognition, or a desire for a new challenge?
Research shows that employees who accept counter-offers often re-enter the job market within months, as the underlying issues remain unresolved. This brings up a major question: if you were
If you decide to explore the counter-offer further, negotiation requires a clear strategy. To validate your market value, be transparent with your current employer about the new job offer you’ve received.
Be ready to provide details of the new offer – such as salary, title, and benefits – since your employer will likely aim to match or exceed them. Your leverage lies not only in the competing offer, but also in your unique contributions, the cost of replacing you, and the time pressure if you must respond quickly.
Related: How to handle the conversation about your resignation
A significant, immediate salary bump without a change in role and vague promises are a major warning sign. If your employer suddenly offers a large pay increase but leaves your role exactly the same, it could be a sign that you were being undervalued all along.
Without a written commitment, these promises may be designed to buy time rather than provide a real solution. Candidates who accept such counter-offers often find that little changes in practice, leaving them back at square one.
Another red flag is feeling pressured or being made to feel guilty for considering other opportunities. Genuine career support comes with respect for your need to weigh options, not ultimatums or emotional appeals.
The strongest indicator of a short-term fix is when the counter-offer ignores the real reasons you began your job search. If lack of career progression, poor work environment, or limited recognition were the drivers behind your resignation, and the counter-offer focuses only on salary, those deeper issues will remain unresolved.
Counter-offers involve more than personal gain; they carry ethical responsibilities to both your current and prospective employers.
If you have already accepted a new role, reneging may damage your reputation in the industry and waste resources invested in your onboarding.
Similarly, if you accept a counter-offer but leave soon after, you risk burning bridges with your current employer, making it harder to secure strong references in future. Professionalism requires careful thought about how your choices affect others, not just yourself.
Choosing to accept a counter-offer is a significant decision. You should communicate your choice with professionalism to both your current employer and the prospective employer.
Thank your current employer for their new proposal, and commit to your renewed role and responsibilities. Inform the prospective employer that you will be declining their offer. Be gracious and thank them for the opportunity, as it is a small professional world and you may cross paths again.
Related: How to reject a job offer by phone or email (with example emails)
Even if you accept a counter-offer, your employer’s trust in you may be permanently altered. Having signalled your willingness to leave, you could find yourself sidelined from promotions, excluded from critical projects, or perceived as “first in line” in future restructuring.
Counter-offers may preserve your position in the short term, but they rarely restore the full confidence of your employer once you’ve indicated an intention to move on.
Another factor to keep in mind is your long-term market value. A substantial pay rise through a counter-offer might temporarily boost your earnings, but it can also distort your salary relative to your experience level. This may make it harder to secure a competitive external role in the future, as prospective employers may hesitate to match an inflated figure.
Declining a counter-offer can be daunting, but it often provides the clearest path to growth. If you decide to leave, communicate your decision with professionalism and gratitude.
Thank your manager for the opportunities you have had but remain firm in your choice. Avoid rehashing grievances – leaving on good terms preserves valuable relationships and demonstrates maturity.
At its core, the counter-offer dilemma is about more than money; it’s about whether your career is moving in a direction that excites and challenges you. Counter-offers can be flattering, but the best career choices are those that align with your long-term goals.
Before making a decision, weigh your aspirations carefully, seek advice if needed, and use tools like our Salary Comparison Tool to ensure your next move is fair and informed. Counter-offers can be flattering, but the best career choices are those that align with your long-term goals.
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