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Know your worth
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Be respectful and professional
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Be firm and decisive
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Prepare for the consequences
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Learn from the experience
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Celebrate your success
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Here’s what else to consider
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You've done your research, prepared your arguments, and negotiated your salary with a prospective employer. You're happy with the offer and ready to accept it. But then, your current employer comes back with a counteroffer, trying to entice you to stay. How do you handle this situation without burning bridges or regretting your decision? Here are some tips to help you confidently reject a counteroffer without regret.
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- Christian J. Williams, MBA Supplier Diversity Consultant • Résumé Guru ® • Healthcare x Supply Chain • Helping YOU Secure a Six-Figure Role •…
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1 Know your worth
The first step to rejecting a counteroffer is to know your worth. Don't let your current employer make you feel guilty, pressured, or doubtful about your value. Remember why you wanted to leave in the first place, and how the new offer aligns with your career goals, skills, and interests. If the counteroffer is not significantly better than the new offer, or does not address the issues that made you unhappy, then it's not worth considering.
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All else being equal, with the hundreds of clients I've helped with salary negotiation and deciding on whether to accept an offer or stay put, the best decision is usually making the move to a new employer.As long as you handle the situation professionally, you won't be burning bridges or leaving your current employer with a negative view of you. In fact, I've seen a number of employees return to a company they left previously for a better position, and do extremely well.
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- Christian J. Williams, MBA Supplier Diversity Consultant • Résumé Guru ® • Healthcare x Supply Chain • Helping YOU Secure a Six-Figure Role • Michigan Chronicle 40u40 • AΦA 40u40 - Alpha Class • Oakland County 40u40 • Sneakerhead • Let's Connect!
Most times, it is in the jobseekers’ best interest to reject the counteroffer. Here are a couple of reasons why:1) Pay is not usually the only reason why jobseekers want to to leave. Other reasons include management styles, lack of growth, geographic location, desire to change industries, etc. An increase in pay won’t change any of that, but may merely place a band aid on a more surgical situation. 2) Furthermore, if the company is offering you more money now, then they could’ve been paying you more. The new counteroffer may actually place you outside of the pay range or at the highest level. You may be asked to temporarily forfeit future raises, bonuses, etc. as a result. Ultimately, it may be best to take your talents elsewhere.
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- James Goodall MREC CertRP Global Engineering Talent - We help secure the best engineering talent, globally.
Counteroffers are always a hot subject when moving from one job to another, and there are so many factors which go affect your decision making. My simple 4 step process is;1. WHY - Think of the reason 'why' you wanted to change. (Understanding this is important)2. UNDERSTAND - Understanding both offers is imperative for you to compare which option is best for you. 3. FUTURE - Always think of the medium to long term impact of moving/ staying. Of course an offer (or counter offer) will fix a short term problem, but how does it align with your future goals?4. DECIDE - Use your 'WHY' to help you decide which route is best for you, and then give it everything you can to make sure it was the right choice!Always think of #1. You. James G.
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2 Be respectful and professional
The second step to rejecting a counteroffer is to be respectful and professional. You don't want to burn bridges or damage your reputation by being rude, dishonest, or ungrateful. Thank your current employer for the opportunity and the counteroffer, but explain that you have decided to pursue another opportunity that is more suitable for you. Avoid getting into details or comparisons, and focus on the positive aspects of your experience and the future. Express your appreciation for their support and understanding, and offer to help with the transition.
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3 Be firm and decisive
The third step to rejecting a counteroffer is to be firm and decisive. Don't leave any room for ambiguity or negotiation, as this will only prolong the process and create more stress. Once you have made your decision, stick to it and don't look back. Don't let your current employer try to convince you otherwise, or make you feel guilty or disloyal. Politely decline any further discussions or meetings, and reiterate your gratitude and commitment to the new offer. If possible, have a written confirmation of your resignation and the new offer, and keep them handy in case of any disputes.
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4 Prepare for the consequences
The fourth step to rejecting a counteroffer is to prepare for the consequences. Depending on your situation, you may face some challenges or risks after rejecting a counteroffer. For example, your current employer may react negatively, and try to sabotage your reputation, your references, or your exit. Your colleagues may resent you, or question your loyalty or judgment. Your new employer may doubt your commitment, or change their mind about the offer. To minimize these risks, you should be prepared to handle them professionally and diplomatically. For example, you should keep a record of your communications, maintain a positive attitude, and avoid badmouthing anyone.
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5 Learn from the experience
The fifth step to rejecting a counteroffer is to learn from the experience. Rejecting a counteroffer can be a valuable learning opportunity for your career development and personal growth. You can reflect on what motivated you to look for a new job, what factors influenced your decision, and what skills or qualities you demonstrated or improved during the negotiation process. You can also use this experience to set new goals, expectations, and boundaries for your next role, and to improve your relationship with your current and future employers.
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6 Celebrate your success
The sixth and final step to rejecting a counteroffer is to celebrate your success. You should be proud of yourself for taking charge of your career, and for making a difficult but rewarding decision. You should also be excited about the new opportunity, and the challenges and opportunities it will bring. Celebrate your achievement with your friends, family, or mentors, and reward yourself with something that makes you happy. You deserve it!
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7 Here’s what else to consider
This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?
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