Receiving a counter offer from your current employer after resigning can be a challenging situation. It's essential to approach this decision carefully and consider various factors. Here's what you should do if you are counter offered:
- Listen and Consider: Take the time to listen to your manager's counter offer, which may include a higher salary, better benefits, a promotion, or other incentives. Consider the offer thoughtfully and ask for details in writing.
- Reflect on Your Reasons for Resigning: Remember why you decided to resign in the first place. Were you leaving primarily for monetary reasons, or were there other issues, such as job satisfaction, work-life balance, or career growth? Assess whether the counter offer addresses the root causes of your decision.
- Discuss the Counter offer with a Trusted Advisor: Seek advice from a mentor, career counselor, or a trusted colleague/friend who can provide an objective perspective. They can help you evaluate whether the counteroffer aligns with your long-term career goals.
- Examine the Work Environment: Consider the workplace dynamics and how accepting the counter offer might affect your relationship with your manager and colleagues. If you felt undervalued or unappreciated before, will the counteroffer change these dynamics?
- Long-Term Prospects: Think about your long-term career prospects. Will accepting the counteroffer improve your advancement potential within the company, or is it simply a short-term fix?
- Counter offers Can Be Risky: Keep in mind that accepting a counter offer can be risky. Some studies suggest that employees who accept counter offers often leave the company within a year due to unresolved issues and the feeling that they have betrayed their new employer.
- Communicate Your Decision: After careful consideration, communicate your decision to your current employer. Be transparent about your reasons, whether you choose to accept the counteroffer or stick with your original decision to resign.
- Be Professional: Regardless of your decision, maintain professionalism throughout the process. Show appreciation for the counteroffer and for the opportunities you've had with the company.
- Plan Your Transition: If you decide to accept the counteroffer, work with your employer to plan a smooth transition, which includes tying up loose ends and transferring responsibilities to a successor if necessary.
- Think About the Future: Consider how this experience may impact your long-term relationship with your current employer. Be mindful of how your decision could affect your reputation within your industry.
I always think If you are worth the fuss, the money, the opportunity, an extra day from home today when you have resigned, why were you not worth it yesterday or when you have previously asked?
Ultimately, the decision to accept or decline a counter offer should align with your career goals and values. It's crucial to make a choice that you believe will be the best for your personal and professional growth.