Resignation: Should You Accept a Counteroffer?

You’ve received an enticing job offer and are preparing to leave your current position for greener pastures. Then, a wrinkle. Your current employer isn’t quite ready to see you go. They deliver a counteroffer.

Should you accept? When should you abandon your plans to join another firm and take a sweetened package from your current employer?

Of course, a lot depends on the specifics of the situation. There’s no single bit of advice that can offer definitive direction in every circumstance. But there are some critical factors to keep in mind, letting you clarify your thinking.

In a way, it’s a nice problem to have. Having options opens up your career prospects. This becomes more common when you have a great partner. A top recruiter, like SmartTalent, can provide the support and guidance you need to maximize your possibilities. Reach out to SmartTalent to find the ideal jobs for you.

When you find yourself balanced between a new opportunity and a counteroffer from your current employer, it’s crucial to focus your internal debate. Narrow down your consideration to the central factors that should guide your thinking. With that in mind, here are a few questions to ask yourself as you weigh whether to accept a counteroffer:

Why were you looking for another job in the first place?

When you received another offer from a different company, that event did not occur out of thin air. Something led you to that point. You wouldn’t have even been open to another situation if you were completely satisfied with your existing role.

View your counteroffer with this in mind. Think about whether it truly addresses the complaints you had with your previous role. Now you have some leverage — make sure you fix the issues that had you eyeing the exits in the first place.   

How good is the counteroffer?

Consider the counteroffer in context. Don’t just look at it in terms of what you were earning before. Also, weigh it against the other bid that tempted you in the first place. Judge the competing compensation packages as if you were unemployed and had received two job offers.

There’s also an emotional component to consider here. The spirit of the counteroffer also matters. If the bid came with a wave of respect and remorse for not recognizing your value earlier, then it can boost your ego and point to a stronger working relationship on an ongoing basis. However, an offer reluctantly offered can augur a bumpy road ahead.

Did threatening to leave change the personal dynamics in the company?

Accepting the counteroffer doesn’t mean that everything returns to normal. The process of negotiation will alter the relationships within the company. Try to predict those modified bonds and judge the bid with those in mind.

Through all these considerations, it’s crucial to know your options. SmartTalent can give you the guidance and insight you need to properly weigh your competing offers, or seek out another landing spot entirely. Connect with SmartTalent to get the insights you need to drive your career forward.

How promising is the other opportunity?

Now, you have a new way to look at your initial offer. The counteroffer lets you put the details of the original opportunity in a fresh context.

Don’t just look at salary and benefits. Here are a few other factors to consider as well:

• Change vs. Stability: New challenges. Different coworkers. A change of scenery. A fresh position offers more than a chance at a higher salary.
• Routine vs. Variety: Staying in place means sticking with the familiar. This can be either good or bad depending on your headspace. Do you prefer stability or are you ready for an adventure?
• Competing Cultures: Think about the different corporate environments you can choose from. Gravitate towards the culture that suits you best.

Which position fits better into your long-term plan?

Look beyond the immediate decision. Whatever job you take now becomes a stepping stone for the future of your career. There might be a justification to turn away from a higher salary and a better present situation if it means more upside down the way.

Obviously, this is hard to gauge in the moment. But your future prospects should still represent a key consideration.

SmartTalent can help with these judgments. By partnering with one of the top firms in the business, you’ll have the expert guidance you need to chart your career trajectory.

Contact SmartTalent today to get started.