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Job Seekers >> Counter Offer Advice

We believe that there are many reasons that people ultimately give for turning down an offer after one has been made, but the most popular is the "Counter Offer". The top 2 most common forms of the counter offer are the "Financial Raise" counter and the "Emotional" counter offer from the current employer at the resignation stage.

Below are 10 very important reasons why accepting a counter offer is a bad idea.

Top 10 Reasons Not to Accept a Counter Offer

After resigning, you have made your employer aware that you were looking and unhappy. Your loyalty will now be in question

When promotion/raise time comes around, your employer will remember who is loyal and who is not.

When making difficult decisions about cut-backs, the company may begin with those that are deemed less loyal.

Accepting a Counter Offer is an insult to your intelligence and a blow to your personal pride, to simply be bought at the last minute.

Where was the extra money for a counter offer at during your last performance review? Most companies have strict wage/salary guidelines and may be simply giving your next raise early or buying time to hire someone in your place.

The same circumstances that now cause you to consider making a change almost always reoccur within the next 6-12 months.

Statistics show that if you accept a counter offer, the probability of voluntarily leaving in 6 months or being let go within 1 year are extremely high.

Once the word gets out, the relationship you now enjoy with co-workers will never be the same. You lose personal satisfaction of the peer group acceptance.

What type of company do you want to work for if you have to threaten to resign before they give you what you are worth?

Accepting counter offers after already accepting another position burns bridges with other companies, your recruiter, and ultimately shows all 3 parties that you can be bought.

The best approach to a counter offer is to hear them out, maybe even take 24 hours to think it over, but decline. A polite, professional resignation letter is appropriate in these situations. It should say something like this:

"Thank you very much for the opportunity you have given me here at (company). I have enjoyed my time here and learned a lot. I have accepted a position with another company and have decided to put in my resignation. This decision has nothing to do with the excellent opportunity you have given me. You and the company have been more than accommodating, and I appreciate everything you have done for me. Please let me know if you need my assistance in the transition. I would be happy to help."

But suppose your current company comes back with a magnificent counter offer that is genuinely unrefusable - at least for the short term. If so, protect yourself. Get the counter offer in writing with a two year no-cut contract.







At The Madison Group, we believe in conducting business with integrity. What does that mean for you? It means that you can have confidence in partnering with us. Whether you are a talented professional or an employer, the relationships we build together will always be infused with 4 core values: trustworthiness, respect, commitment and diligence. 3111 W. Dr. MLK Blvd. Suite 100 LakePoint II Building Tampa, Florida 33607 P: (813) 418-6785 F: (813) 354-4893 E: info@madison-inc.net	Job Seekers >> Counter Offer Advice We believe that there are many reasons that people ultimately give for turning down an offer after one has been made, but the most popular is the "Counter Offer". The top 2 most common forms of the counter offer are the "Financial Raise" counter and the "Emotional" counter offer from the current employer at the resignation stage. Below are 10 very important reasons why accepting a counter offer is a bad idea. Top 10 Reasons Not to Accept a Counter Offer After resigning, you have made your employer aware that you were looking and unhappy. Your loyalty will now be in question When promotion/raise time comes around, your employer will remember who is loyal and who is not. When making difficult decisions about cut-backs, the company may begin with those that are deemed less loyal. Accepting a Counter Offer is an insult to your intelligence and a blow to your personal pride, to simply be bought at the last minute. Where was the extra money for a counter offer at during your last performance review? Most companies have strict wage/salary guidelines and may be simply giving your next raise early or buying time to hire someone in your place. The same circumstances that now cause you to consider making a change almost always reoccur within the next 6-12 months. Statistics show that if you accept a counter offer, the probability of voluntarily leaving in 6 months or being let go within 1 year are extremely high. Once the word gets out, the relationship you now enjoy with co-workers will never be the same. You lose personal satisfaction of the peer group acceptance. What type of company do you want to work for if you have to threaten to resign before they give you what you are worth? Accepting counter offers after already accepting another position burns bridges with other companies, your recruiter, and ultimately shows all 3 parties that you can be bought. The best approach to a counter offer is to hear them out, maybe even take 24 hours to think it over, but decline. A polite, professional resignation letter is appropriate in these situations. It should say something like this: "Thank you very much for the opportunity you have given me here at (company). I have enjoyed my time here and learned a lot. I have accepted a position with another company and have decided to put in my resignation. This decision has nothing to do with the excellent opportunity you have given me. You and the company have been more than accommodating, and I appreciate everything you have done for me. Please let me know if you need my assistance in the transition. I would be happy to help." But suppose your current company comes back with a magnificent counter offer that is genuinely unrefusable - at least for the short term. If so, protect yourself. Get the counter offer in writing with a two year no-cut contract.

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