Should you accept a counter offer? Here’s how to decide

You’ve accepted a new job and handed in your notice - then your current employer makes a counter offer. What should you do?

Counter offers can be flattering, but they often complicate an already difficult decision. This guide helps you weigh your options and make the right move for your long-term career. For deeper insights, download our New Job Guide - a comprehensive resource to support your next step.

What is a counter offer - and why do employers make them?

A counter offer is an attempt by your current employer to convince you to stay. It may include:

• A salary increase
• A promotion or new job title
• Additional benefits or responsibilities
• More involvement in projects that interest you

While tempting, it’s important to ask: Why now? If your value is only recognised after you resign, what does that say about your future prospects?

Why counter offers often miss the mark

It’s natural to feel flattered when your employer offers more money or a promotion to keep you. But ask yourself: Why now?

If your value wasn’t recognised before you resigned, what’s changed? Often, counter offers are reactive - not strategic. They’re designed to solve a short-term problem for the employer, not necessarily to support your long-term growth.

Key questions to ask:

• Would this offer have been made if I hadn’t resigned?
• Are my concerns about culture, progression, or purpose truly being addressed?
• Will I feel valued six months from now - or will I be back in the same position?

Standing your ground can be difficult, but it’s often the right move if your new role aligns better with your goals.

How do I evaluate the pros and cons?

Reasons to accept:

• You genuinely want to stay and the offer resolves your concerns
• You feel the new responsibilities or benefits align with your goals

Reasons to decline:

• You’ve already committed to a new opportunity that excites you
• The counter offer feels reactive, not strategic
• You’re concerned about long-term trust or stagnation

How to stay focused on your career goals

When faced with a counter offer, it’s easy to get caught up in emotion or short-term incentives. That’s why it’s important to revisit your original motivations for leaving.

Try this exercise:

• Write down the top three reasons you accepted your new job offer.
• List what you hope to gain in your new role - skills, culture, progression.
• Compare this with what your current employer is offering.

If the counter offer doesn’t align with your long-term goals, it may be time to move forward. Remember: you’ve already been through the recruitment process, impressed a new employer, and secured a role that meets your criteria. That’s a powerful signal that you’re ready for change.
 

Quick decision checklist:

• Revisit your original reasons for leaving
• Compare both offers beyond salary - think culture, growth, values
• Speak with your recruiter for an impartial perspective
• Consider how each option aligns with your career goals

Download Your New Job Guide

Our expert-written New Job Guide includes:

• How to handle counter offers
• Tips for resigning professionally
• Starting strong in a new role
• Building relationships with new colleagues
   

Ready for more? Why not explore these guides to help you succeed in your new role:

• Starting a New Job: How to Make a Great First Impression
• Delivering Interview Presentations with Confidence
• Power Pose Your Way to Interview Success
• How to Build Your Personal Brand

If you need guidance on any aspect of your job search or career transition, find your nearest Hays office and speak to a Hays recruitment consultant today.