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Original poster

To accept the counter offer?

20 replies

Goodnewsbadnews · 03/02/2022 08:25

I’ve gone NC for this incase my lovely manager is on MN!

I am currently in Job A which I love, I find my work highly satisfying and I am the only person running my specialist role at the company. I’m highly regarded. I’ve only been in the role 2 years. The company is small and national and probably not somewhere I could grow long term, but I definitely have at least 2 years of exciting projects left that I would enjoy.

Recently I was headhunted for another role at Company B doing the same thing for a large more global company. Again I would be the only person doing specialised role, but I would have to start from scratch doing all the things I have done at current job to make a case for my role being important. It would be much more remote, so I wouldn’t have my direct team in country with me. I told them I wouldn’t move for less than 50% more than what I make, which they offered me and I accepted. So the move was pretty driven by salary, although it is a shift into a more exciting tech industry so it could be good for future career.

Anyway, I resigned from my role (I was truly very sad to do so). Company A has offered to match the salary offered to keep me.

I have been reading about never accepting a counter offer because trust is lost and they’ll just be looking to replace you ASAP. But I’m not sure that applies in this case because Company A management were very supportive of the move, told me it’s a great opportunity and they even said congratulations - it’s not until my resignation was communicated to higher levels that the counter offer came through. So I genuinely believe there will not be negative impacts from staying in that respect.

Because salary was such a huge driver of the decision, and it was a big part of the risk analysis in terms of moving on so quickly (2 years not being a great amount to communicate reliability on CV) and now that’s taken off the table, it seems like it maybe it would be a better idea to stay and clock in a few more years.

I guess I want to know if big and global is really better? Has anyone had positive experiences with counter offers? Do any hiring managers find a 2 year stint at a job to be off putting?

Would be so grateful to hear any experiences to support my decision.

OP posts:
maxelly · 03/02/2022 10:31

I wouldn't look askance at a 2 year 'stint' at all, less than 6 months without a clear reason/explanation maybe yes, but 2 years not at all. To be honest, and this is personal preference, I am more suspicious of people that have stayed in the same role a long time as I worry they'll be set in their ways etc, to me 2-5 years is about the perfect length of time. So I wouldn't let that be a factor unless your industry/role places a particular value on longevity. That being said, if your main reason for moving was salary and your current place have offered to fix that, and in all other respects you are happy there then no harm staying for a bit longer, they must really like you to have offered a 50% pay rise (unless your current salary is a pittance?)...

YellowLemonz · 03/02/2022 10:36

For them to match the 50% they must think very highly of you.
Everything is set in stone where you are, do you want to carry on as normal with more money straight off, or do you want that drive again to build up what you have at A?
Can you be bothered to do it all again?

Undecidedandtorn · 03/02/2022 10:44

I would stay! I've applied for a new job recently based at least 75% that it pays £10k more but would be delighted to stay where I was for more money

shoofly · 03/02/2022 10:46

I'd stay, definitely. You like working there, you were moving due to salary and they've offered it.

ClumsyClaret · 03/02/2022 12:42

For them to offer 50% more must mean they are either desperate and understand the current recruitment crisis or they were underpaying you by a significant amount - how do you feel about that? Most people who accept a counteroffer leave within the year - there are always those who stay but we would be looking to replace you as we'd think you were risky. The two-year thing is normal - unfortunately.

Ineedanightaway · 03/02/2022 12:44

I agree with the consensus that company A must really like you to increase your salary to match it. I'd personally stay at company A.

Asdf12345 · 03/02/2022 12:45

The other half rarely stays over two years in a role and that seems to be the norm in their field.

I would take the new job but leave your old one on the best possible terms. Offer to do some contracting if need be for the handover period if it has to go for longer than your notice, and to be available to help troubleshoot issues. Who knows if one day you will go back but I wouldn’t miss the opportunity with the global firm.

Sprig1 · 03/02/2022 12:48

Stay. You know that you like the company and they like you.

TheDogsMother · 03/02/2022 12:58

Two years in your current role is absolutely fine. You do need to ask yourself why it took another company to make you an offer before your current company came up with a payrise ? Were you not worth this salary before ?

Also the longer term stats for people who accept counter offers are not great (in terms of how long they ultimately stay in that job).

I say leave on good terms and embrace your new role.

Ilikewinter · 03/02/2022 21:49

Ok so my 2p worth....
I worked at same company for 20 years, truly bored and fed up. Applied for 2 jobs at similar time. Got offered job A and resigned, without hesitation my employer matched the salary and I stayed.
Advice on here was similar to the replies you've got, I regretted it within a few weeks, nice salary but same boring job. Then I got offered job B and I grabbed it with both hands.
Dont know what advice id give you really!!!

Finallygotme · 03/02/2022 21:54

Leave. They were happy underpaying you, now they are paying more than they want there will be no more progression plus the thought that they will be quick to ditch you if times get tough

Ifeellikedancing · 03/02/2022 21:56

I accepted a counter offer 10 years ago. Still working for the same company and they have certainly never tried to replace me. I only looked for another job because I needed more money (breakup stiuation). If you like it where you are then stay.

heelforheelandtoefortoe · 04/02/2022 07:03

Leave. If you were worth 50% more they should have been paying you 50% more already. They can't be nice people if they didn't value you before now.

Original poster
Goodnewsbadnews · 04/02/2022 11:49

Thanks for your advice everyone, after initially suggesting they would match, company A came back with an offer slightly less than the new role - due to banding constraints (eg they would have had to make additional pay rises above me to make mine work). So they made the decision easy for me in the end! Really appreciate all the perspectives and also the reassurance that 2 years won’t reflect badly on me. Am leaving on the best of terms with company A and working beyond my notice period to support a smooth transition. But the positive is that after 24 hours umming and ahhing between the two options with the finance aspect off the table, I’m much more excited about new role as realise there were lots of elements beyond salary that made it appealing to me! Fingers crossed it’s a good move!

OP posts:
Ilikewinter · 04/02/2022 16:31

Congratulations OP, im sure you've made the right decision.
I've just finished the first week in my new role and dont regret it one bit, having spoken to friends who are still in my old company im glad im not there!!

Original poster
Goodnewsbadnews · 05/02/2022 17:54

Thank you @Ilikewinter hopefully I feel the same! Good luck in your new role Smile xx

OP posts:
Ilikewinter · 05/02/2022 19:49

@Goodnewsbadnews, thanks, ive gone from retail to civil service and the difference in culture is just wow!
Wishing you all the best with your new role 😊

Grumpsy · 05/02/2022 19:55

Personally I’d go.

I’ve been there, accepted a job, got a counter offer. Stayed and regretted it. Moved 6 months later. Personally it’s not something I would ever do again. I’ be just been head hunted for a new role and will be handing in my notice next week, there’s no amount of money they could offer me to say now that I’ve made up my mind to go.

At my current company there is one person who stayed after resigning, they seem happy. There are no plans to get rid of him, but he also has no prospects above his current grade.

At the end of the day I would say go with your gut, just giving my experience if it helps.

Grumpsy · 05/02/2022 19:59

And I’ve just read that you’re going to the new role - best of luck in your new role op!

Original poster
Goodnewsbadnews · 07/02/2022 12:15

Thanks so much @Grumpsy and good luck to you too in your new role!

OP posts:
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