The Counter Offer Decision

Dealing with a counter-offer during a job change and offer negotiations can be a very exciting, flattering and emotional experience. There is a great tendency to lose your objectivity should a counter-offer occur. Basically, you want so badly to do the right thing, and both sides are offering a compelling argument. We cannot say to never accept one, but you need to give thought to some not so obvious factors that will be part of this decision in the future. Reasons why you should not accept:

1. The circumstances that now cause you to consider a job change will almost always repeat themselves in the future, even if you accept a counteroffer.

2. Statistics compiled by the National Employment Association show that over 80% of those people who accept a counter-offer are no longer with that company six to twelve months later.

3. You should not have to threaten to resign before a company will give you what you are worth.

4. You have now made your employer aware that you are unhappy. Long-term, loyalty issues could arise.

5. Where is the money for the counter-offer coming from? Is it your next raise, early?

6. When promotion time comes around, your employer may remember think twice.

7. When times get tough, your employer may begin the cutback with you.

8. Never seek a new job or offer just to get a raise or promotion from your current employer. It backfires every time.

Some reasons why you should accept:
1. The counter-offer is so over the top great that you just cannot resist. Keep in mind that 3-6% and the same title is not over the top. A counter-offer needs to be an actual letter offering you new terms. You do not want to agree to a verbal counter-offer. Often, there is the promise to review your compensation in the near future.  You should not accept this since this meeting will often never happen.

2. You are very good at what you do and the supply and demand for your skill set is high. If there is a backlash in the future, you can get a great job quickly.
when you have decided to leave your current employer, it is usually advisable to just do it.