Should I Take the Counteroffer?

When you receive a job offer and give your manager your resignation letter, how do you think they might react? Will they be disappointed and offer you more money, a promotion, or another incentive to stay??

This is becoming a common occurrence when you leave your employer for a better opportunity. You may be promised a salary increase, additional responsibilities, or another reason to stay.

If the counteroffer will remove the obstacles you currently face in your role today, and you feel confident they will not return over the next six months, then staying may be an option. I will also add, it might also be your better option if you realistically think you may be relocating within the year or so or plan to retire soon.

However, if you plan to stay with your new employer long-term, there are substantial reasons not to accept a counteroffer. For instance, studies have shown that if you accept the counteroffer, you’ll likely end up leaving your company within 12 months. This means additional time spent looking for a new role, then going through the interview and negotiation process all over again.

Accepting the counteroffer might burn the bridge to the company and manager that gave you the new opportunity as they have dedicated time, money, and other resources pursuing you and making you a great offer only to be rejected because you decided to stay.?

You can avoid this issue by sticking with the offer that you worked so hard to receive and that aligns with your goals and needs. After all, you want to work for a company that recognizes your value both today and into the future.

Keep in mind that even if you decide to stay with your current employer, your relationship with the company will change.

What Might Happen After You Resign

When you submit your resignation letter to your manager, their reaction may depend on many variables, such as their company policy, your perceived value to the company, and how difficult it may be to find and train your replacement. There is a possibility that you could be asked to leave immediately. Would you be prepared for that?

Make sure you get the personal information you need from your company phone or computer before your access to those devices is cut off. ?You may want to have your belongings ready to go in order to avoid the awkward and hastened packing, which could have you forgetting things and leaving them in or on your desk. ?On the flip side of that, you could be asked to stay. If you feel that may be an option, ?be ready to suggest some realistic changes to make your current job better than it is. ?Remember, the obstacles that made you want to leave are still there.?You could be offered an increase in income, have a number ready to give your manager.

Conversely, if you are determined to leave, politely tell your manager that you appreciate the time they spent with you and that you have learned a lot from your time at the company, but that it is time to move on. Perhaps you are looking for other advantages, such as career growth or you are wanting to move into other areas of interest and money is not your main reason for leaving.

Your Reason for Leaving Still Exists

Because you found a new job for a specific reason, and it might be likely that you have already tried the diplomatic route and still, nothing has changed.?There could be many reasons why you want to leave, a coworker that you do not get along with, you are not being challenged enough, or there is no room to move up. If you stay, you will have to deal with the reasons you want to leave.?You will have to answer the question on whether it is worth it or not for yourself.?The likelihood though, is that you already know whether that is the case.

Your Loyalty Will Be Questioned

Even if you have a good relationship with your manager, once you give them your resignation letter, they may doubt your commitment to the company. This is especially true if you accept a counteroffer, suggesting your decisions can be influenced with the right incentive. If your manager’s trust in you is broken, it hinders your future success with the company, especially if they are in a position to affect whether you deserve a promotion or not.?This means you may not reach your long-term goals if you stay.\

Your Employer May Replace You

Once you submit your resignation letter, your manager knows that you want to leave. As a result, they may begin looking for a new team member to take your place and again you could be put in a position to be looking for work and doing so at an inopportune time. In this case, accepting a counteroffer will benefit you only as long as you remain with the organization. This is especially true if employees are laid off due to budget cuts, redundancies, or other reasons.

Carefully Consider Whether to Accept a Counteroffer

If you are handing in your resignation letter, I am sure you have given all the above a lot of consideration and tried to improve your current situation and environment, allowing your current employer to make it right. ?However, if you truly want the new opportunity, work with the new team you recently met, and future career growth, your best decision is likely to take the new role.

The decision is not always cut and dry, and it’s wise to discuss all angles with a trusted mentor or your recruiter, who can help you weigh all the pros and cons of each option.

If you need an ear to listen or think you are ready for a career change, get in touch with Next Level Professional. We will be here to help guide you to your Next Level.

Contact Next Level at (262) 293-4288 or [email protected]