cv drop off

MAXIMUM UPLOAD SIZE 2MB
All Job Search Learning & Development Information Technology Company News Digital Media Business Information Employers Social Media CV Tips Interview Advice Work/Life Balance
Back to all blog posts

6 Reasons Not to Accept a Counter Offer

6 Reasons Not to Accept a Counter Offer | FGS Recruitment

A new job offer could put you in a strong position to negotiate terms with your current employer however it’s not always something we would recommend and here’s why…

First you need to think about your reason for being in a situation where you have a job offer in the first place. Did you actively go looking for a new job and if so why? You must have been unhappy in at least one area of your current position to want to seek out a new role.

Perhaps you were approached by a recruitment agency and the job piqued your interest. If this is the case, then it’s completely natural to want to explore things further. In this instance, considering a counter offer isn’t something we would strongly advise against however we still wouldn't recommend it.

Let’s go back to the first reason of you actively looking for a new job. As we briefly touched upon above, it’s likely something in your current role needs to change. Whilst looking for a new job might not be the first thing that you should do if you are unhappy, we completely understand that a lot of the time, it is the first thing people turn to. So why shouldn’t you accept a counter offer if you receive one?

1. You have now made your employer aware that you are unhappy. From this day on your loyalty will always be in question.

If there’s any reason not to accept a counteroffer, then this is it. Your employer now knows that you are unhappy and rather than have taken the time to speak to them first, you have gone out and sought a new position.

2. When promotion time comes around, your employer will remember who was loyal and who was not.

As cut throat as this may sound, your employer is now aware that you have sought and gone through the application process for a new job. Promotions are usually extended to committed employees who have worked hard.

3. When times get tough, your employer may begin the cutback with you.

If a company is going through some tough times, then they may need to make some cut backs. If your loyalty is questioned, then you may be at the top of the list when it comes to that decision.

4. The same circumstances that now cause you to consider change will repeat themselves / still be there in the future, even if you accept a counter offer.

This is the case when your reasons for leaving result to company culture, challenges within your team or issues with your boss. An increase in pay will not fix these problems. It may make you happier and make the role more bearable temporarily however it’s highly likely these problems will outweigh the increase in salary in the future.

5. A very large proportion of people who resign and then retract their resignation voluntarily leave anyway within six months.

This is similar to the above. Even if your reason for a potential new job is relating to a pay rise and you receive one, your manager is still going to know you are not 100% committed.

6. People who accept a counteroffer often have a feeling that they’ve been bought rather than rewarded for the work they’ve done.

Where is the money coming from for the counteroffer? Is it your next rise arriving early? (Most companies have strict wage and salary guidelines / budgets which must be followed). Also, what kind of company do you work for if you have to threaten to resign before they give you what you are worth.

Taking all this into consideration, perhaps a counteroffer was the last thing you were expecting. Even if you think this will never happen to you, it’s best to prepare for a situation like this in advance so that you feel comfortable with your response.


FGS Recruitment is a boutique recruitment agency specialising in recruiting sales and marketing jobs in our core markets of Digital Media, Learning & Development and Market Research. Keep up to date with our latest career advice articles and jobs by signing up to our newsletter and be sure to follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Ways to get in touch

Tuhoe The Street
Canterbury
CT4 7DU

t: 07595 238 158
e: info@fgsrecruitment.com

Keep in
the loop

Terms of usePrivacy Policy