| You have successfully created interest from an | | | | are looking for. Is an increase in salary really enough to |
| employer with your CV, impressed them during | | | | keep you long term or do you need a new challenge? |
| interviews and negotiated a salary and benefits | | | | If your original employer had been keen to ensure you |
| package that reflects your capabilities. You have | | | | didn't look elsewhere, would they not have provided |
| received written confirmation of a job offer and have | | | | adequate incentives to keep you there before it got to |
| handed in your letter of resignation to your current | | | | this stage? |
| employer. | | | | It is important to look beyond what might at first seem |
| So how do you prepare for the possibility that your | | | | like a better deal and think about what it is you are |
| resignation might be met with a counter offer from | | | | looking for in your career moving forward. There will |
| your employer who doesn't want to lose the skills and | | | | probably be good reasons that you are accepting a |
| experience you have brought to your existing role? | | | | new position and you should keep these in mind when |
| Whether it is in the form of a salary increase, additional | | | | considering a counter offer: a pay rise is only likely to |
| company benefits or a promotion, a counter offer | | | | be a short-term incentive so try not to let it cloud your |
| involves your current employer attempting to rival the | | | | judgment. |
| one you received from your potential future employer | | | | If you do decide to refuse a counter offer, ensure you |
| to try to persuade you to stay. | | | | take charge of the situation. Thank your employer for |
| Reasons that companies make counter offers include: | | | | the opportunity but reiterate your intention to leave. |
| not wanting to have to fill a vacancy within the | | | | Deliver your written resignation to your manager in |
| timescale dictated by your notice period; cost | | | | person, as this will help you to stay in control. Let them |
| implications, such as advertising fees, agency costs, | | | | know that you have considered the merits of the two |
| training expenses, etc that will be incurred as a result | | | | positions and have chosen the new one. State |
| of your departure; lack of time to re-recruit; | | | | specifically that you neither seek nor want a counter |
| organisation of necessary cover while a replacement | | | | offer and hope instead for an amicable departure. |
| is being sourced; the loss of staff reflecting badly on | | | | If, after considering the counter offer, you do decide to |
| the company and affecting morale; and the time taken | | | | accept it and therefore remain with your current |
| to bring a new recruit up to speed. | | | | company, it is important to remember that even though |
| It is very flattering to receive a counter offer, but | | | | you have accepted, your resignation has not been |
| experience suggests that over 70% of employees | | | | forgotten. You will need to work to regain your |
| who accept these leave within a year. Remember | | | | employer's faith and a good deal of effort will be |
| your initial reasons for deciding to move on and ask | | | | required to recreate the trust within your company. |
| yourself whether the counter offer really is what you | | | | |