Consider why you are leaving your current role? 

In considering these factors below, I recommend you not only write down your reasons for leaving, but give them a rating so you can prioritise these factors when weighing up your new opportunity.

Lack of progression

Can your current employer offer you progression? For smaller employers the nature of their business may hinder further progression so you need to look elsewhere for the career progression you desire. Moving to a new company allows you to learn and develop new skills, gain experience in a new industry, and/or provide a new working environment offering a progression pathway.  

Working environment

If this is your reason, decline your counter offer. Even if processes and plans are in place, changing a working environment will not happen overnight. Moving to a new environment better aligned to your values is likely to be a much better fit.

Flexibility

The amount of flexibility you need depends on your personal circumstances.

Consider your:

• Hours of work
• Travel (if required)
• Work from home opportunities
• Requirements and duties of your new role

Salary

Often an easy counter offer to make – to match the new job offer salary. Is the increase in wage going to make you happy and satisfied in your current role or are there other factors at play?

Commute

Time is money and fuel costs are high. Consider these factors in your decision.

Loyalty and Trust

You’ve secured a job with a company you’ve always wanted to work for, but the counter offer is pulling at your loyalty to your previous company. If you have been able to have honest discussions/appraisals with your current employer and circumstances haven’t changed, they are unlikely to now. If the trust in the relationship is damaged, remaining with your current employer will only be a short-term solution. In my experience, I’ve found the employee does not end up staying with the employer for long.

Final decision - accepting or declining a counter offer

Use your list to explain your decision as to why you have accepted or declined your counter offer. Explain the key factors in your decision, and how this new job will better fit your professional and personal criteria you have set for yourself.
For both your current employer (who has offered the counter offer) and your new employer your communication to work through this needs to be honest and timely. This point of the recruitment process is where relationships and your personal reputation can be damaged, so be professional and to the point.

Advice and support

We often work through counter offers with our job seekers and expect counter offers to continue, especially as people begin to move around again more freely.

There’s no right or wrong answer, we recommend referring to the reasons you resigned in the first place. Remember we’re here for advice and support in making your final decision and I recommend you always discuss the pros and cons of a counter offer with your recruiter.