After much internal deliberation, you’ve finally decided to hand in your letter of resignation. Maybe it was a new job offer? Maybe you’ve just don’t want to deal with the work stress anymore? The reasons could be endless.
But what if your company comes back at you with a counteroffer that includes higher pay and a promise that things will change? What should you do?
In a nutshell - Never take a counteroffer.
You’ve made the decision to move on so don’t let their counteroffer entice you do anything different. If you’re still on the fence about this, we’re going to give you 10 reasons why you should never accept a counter offer from the company you just resigned from.
You Didn’t Get a Raise Until You Quit
It’s worrisome that you were offered a raise only after you told them you’re quitting. Why weren’t you offered higher pay for your work while you were still at the company? Why weren’t you valued for your true worth? It shows a lack of values on behalf of the company and a desire to get more from the employees than they give in exchange.
Things Aren’t Really Going to Change
Yes, things might be different for a few weeks. But after everyone falls back into the same old routine, you will still be treated the same way that you were when you wanted to quit. Is a few extra dollars or a new title really worth it? You’re better off sticking to your guns and following through with your resignation. You will have the chance to take on a new job that might treat you with more respect.
The Company Isn’t Making the Offer for Your Best Interest
Hiring a new employee and finding talent to replace you takes time, effort, and money. So the company wants to make an offer that they hope will keep you around. They’ll either offer more money or a promotion and still be paying less than finding a replacement. Or they just might be buying time, to find a suitable replacement without any disruption to business.
Your Boss Will Remember
While in the beginning your boss might want you to feel welcomed back on the team, your current company will remember that you tried to leave and might look for an opportunity to force you out on their terms instead of on yours. Additionally, the hiring manager of the other company will remember that you took a counteroffer and likely hold it against you.
You’ve Already Committed
Since you’ve already accepted an offer with another company, it’s important to honor that. This new company is offering you a chance to further your career. Seize that opportunity and move forward.
Remember Why You Were Searching for a New Job
No one forced you to start your job search but there were certainly reasons that you did. Perhaps you didn’t feel appreciated, challenged, or secure in your current position. If you accept a counteroffer those factors won’t change.
You Won’t Stay Working There Long
As statistics show, people who accept counteroffers are usually out of the company pretty quickly, in as little as 6-12 months. Either the initial reasons for wanting to leave come back or the company finds a way to terminate you.
Trust is Lost
When you tell your current company that you have accepted an offer or have been looking for another job, it becomes obvious that you are unhappy with your current situation. Whether you decide to stay or not, your current company will remember that you were looking elsewhere and lose trust in you.
Accepting a Counteroffer can Damage Your Reputation
When you take a counteroffer after having already accepted another job offer, people will view you as indecisive and lose faith in you. Your colleagues and superiors will both treat you differently. Equals at work will probably start to resent you since, they’ll know that you got a special deal for threatening to leave when their work still goes unrecognized.
Think About it from the Employer Perspective
If one of your employees told you that they were leaving, would you throw more money at them in order to stay? An employer that is offering an unhappy employee more money to stay on the job is looking at the situation with a very short term lens. It would make more sense to spend time recruiting someone who wants to work there and would be eager to do the job.
If you accept an offer at a new job and put in your letter of resignation, in most cases it is better not to accept a counteroffer from your current company. It can really hurt your reputation and is truly only a temporary solution for both parties. Commit to moving forward and seize the new opportunity with both hands.