Counter Offers - Positive or Negative?

The world of counter offers is a murky place and I am sure most recruiters have had it happen to them at some point. For a candidate, it is a battle in their minds as well I am sure!

This may seem like a biased point of view to what I am now about to write, but I think it is important to highlight some of the positives and negatives to those who are about to or potentially may take a counteroffer from their current employer in the future.?

Here are my thoughts….

The Positives?

Simply - You Get More Money

Excellent you get more money on top of your current salary, and in today's world who would not want to be paid more for the job they do??

You Are Made To Feel Like You Are Wanted?

Receiving a counteroffer will always make you feel wanted, and shows that your employer wants to retain you as they value the work you do.?

However, as a caveat to this, ask yourself, should it take for you to leave for your company to offer you more money??

No Changes To Your Routine

Who likes change? Not many people. The counteroffer for you to stay at your current job means no changes to your morning routine or even routine throughout the day. Go about your day, with no change and earn more money.

The Negatives

Your Motivations Have Not Changed

In my opinion, if you are leaving a role purely for money, then you are entering dangerous territory. I have done it before, and it did not end well.?

People tend to leave a role for a variety of reasons, sometimes more than one. If you are in the camp of looking for a new role for progression, better flexibility, better benefits or even a better culture then how does a counteroffer help solve these motivations?

Quite simply it doesn't!

Can Your Company Sustain The Extra Costs?

We have seen mass layoffs in the technical space, more so in the big organisations. And yes, this is driven by changes in society. But for those taking more counter offers, how sustainable is this for where you work??

I am sure most companies are clever enough to balance the finances, but if it happens five, six or even seven times to key staff then this could increase staff costs by ￡35,000+ per year. Which for any business is going to add extra strain.

What Are The Expectations?

In today's workplaces, if you are one of the better-paid individuals then the expectations are more. Especially with how competitive the business landscape is.?

Taking a counteroffer could lead to more expectations being placed upon you, so ask yourself the question, are you ready for that? And also what these expectations look like.

To end this piece, we do not want to seem negative about counter offers, providing they are clear to the people who are accepting them. And what I mean by that, is to understand the new parameters they are working within. What are the expectations? How does this solve my motivations for looking for a new role? And is this going to help the next stage of my career?

If they are clear and you are happy, go for it! But, if you are not sure then definitely take time to consider your next steps.?

For any recruitment, advice be that if you are looking for a new role, or are looking to hire someone for your organisation reach out to myself or Liam Flegg