"Counter Offers: No Real Winners"

Why counter offers are one of the most emotional parts of recruitment.

There are many emotional stages in recruitment. Searching for a new role. Attending interviews. Waiting for feedback. Accepting an offer.

But personally, I think the most emotional moment is when a candidate resigns from their current role to join another company, especially when the current employer was not expecting it.

And then comes the counter offer.

Suddenly emotions, logic, loyalty, money, fear, comfort and uncertainty all collide at once.

All Four Parties Have A View

Most of the time, all four parties involved are justified in feeling the way they do: the candidate, the recruiter, the current employer and the potential employer.

Counter offers are rarely as simple as “candidate stayed” or “candidate left.” Every situation usually has multiple emotions, perspectives and business realities sitting underneath it.

When The Candidate Accepts The Counter Offer

This is usually the moment where recruiters feel frustrated, potential employers feel disappointed and current employers feel relieved.

But from the candidate side, the situation is often far more emotional than people realise. Comfort and familiarity become very difficult to walk away from.

Current employers should probably ask themselves an important question: why did it take a resignation for these conversations to happen?

The Recruiter Role

After more than 15 years in recruitment, one thing this industry constantly reminds me is that candidate care has no exact definition.

Some candidates need very little reassurance. Others need far more support during emotionally uncertain stages like resignation and counter offers.

The Bottom Line

Counter offers in recruitment are rarely black and white. Sometimes everyone is a little bit right at the same time.

Need personalised help with this?

I have spent 15 years on the hiring side of the table. I have interviewed thousands of candidates and seen exactly what works and what does not. Book a session and I will give you direct, honest advice based on your specific situation.