How to Handle a Job Counter Offer

A counter offer is usually an attempt by an employer to get a resigning employee to stay with the company. There are a lot of things to consider before accepting or rejecting a counter offer. In most cases, you should respectfully decline a counter offer.

Instructions

1. Think of the reason behind the counter offer. Your employer may be simply trying to buy time to train another person to take your place. He may honestly feel that you are an integral part of the team and wants to keep you because he values you.

2. Evaluate your importance to the company. Be honest with yourself. Most employees are expendable.

3. Compare the counter offer to the other job offers you have available. You will probably find that a new job is the best option.

4. List the pros and cons of accepting the counter offer. Write these out on paper.

5. Decide if the counter offer fully addresses you reason for resigning. If it leaves things desired, stick with your resignation.

6. Negotiate better terms for yourself if you decide to stay at the company. Some companies will readily negotiate while others may take a hard nosed approach.

7. Decline the counter offer in a respectable way if you decide to leave the company. Keep in mind that your response will be the last thing that your supervisors have to remember you by so, be polite and calm. This will help ensure a good reference later from your supervisor.

Tips & Warnings

• People's feeling toward you and the way they see you may change no matter how you handle the counter offer. Just remember that true friends will stick by you no matter what your final decision happens to be.

• Try to help make the transition as smooth as possible for the company that you are leaving. This will further help your chances of getting a favorable reference.