Counter offers: Should you take them?

Counteroffers are something skilled individuals in a niche sector will experience when looking for a new job. With the market being in the place it’s at losing an employee, especially a skilled one with specialist experience, hits twice as hard as it may have a few years ago.

In a niche area such as facades, counteroffers could be viewed as even more impactful than in a less specialised field. This is due to the lower number of companies in the industry meaning that if you deny one of them your potential pool of employers drastically decreases.

So, the question comes down to should you accept it. The offer may be very generous and flattering, offering seniority, a higher base salary, or a range of additional benefits. They may even ask exactly what you would want to stay.

There is however a range of factors that should always be considered before accepting any counteroffer.

Firstly, and most importantly, the reason you were leaving in the first place. If you were looking for a new role due to dissatisfaction with your current position, then a higher salary may only temporarily reduce those feelings of frustration. Those feelings may come back harder than before.

Secondly, and linked to the first point, your job may be less secure than previously. Those above you would be aware of your previous desire to leave as well as the extra benefits that were required to keep you from leaving. Any restructuring or financial difficulties may place you first in line for the chopping block. The difference is this time it would be on their terms, with no new job in line as a safety net.

Another point to keep in mind when considering a counteroffer would be the possible resentment from your colleagues and superiors. They may be very aware of what it took to keep you and feel like they deserve the raise you received or view you as less of an asset due to the increased price tag. The same applies to positions or benefits that may have been negotiated. The relationship may never be the same as before due to expressing interest in leaving and could lead to a more hostile work environment.

Lastly is to think about the company you were leaving for. This could potentially burn valuable bridges with those companies as they may no longer be willing to work with you after sticking their neck out once already. This, linked with the fact that 80% of those who accept counteroffers leave within 6 months and 90% within the year, just means that you have cut your future options for a company to work with you.

These points may not all apply to your situation but if one or more of them do then it certainly makes the prospect of a counteroffer far less attractive as the familiarity and perceived safety of staying where you are can be easily stripped from you or outweighed by the issues that made you wish to leave in the first place.

The long-term should always be considered even if it is easy to get lost in the short term.