Things To Know Before You Take Up The Counteroffer

A Guide By The Top Headhunting Company In Germany

What is a Counteroffer? Well! There are two aspects to the definition of this word and we would like to explain both of them. For a candidate, a counteroffer means his present company has given him an offer to stay in the company with an increased role, higher salary and more perks and benefits. For a Headhunter in Germany, it is a tug of war now where he needs to raise the compensation otherwise the months of his effort invested in finding the perfect person for the role would be wasted and he would have to start from scratch.

 

In our journey to become the Top Headhunting Company in Germany, we have come across numerous such situations and we always give the same advice to our candidates that, “At the end of day, it is your decision alone.” However, it is our duty to help you make an informed decision.

Here is the list of Things to keep in mind before you take up that Counteroffer:

1. This is an emotional time for you. There must already be a lot of pressure from your current employer, manager and colleagues. This time could be very hard to endure. The place where you spend so much time of your life becomes a part of you and leaving such a place is always the most difficult for you. At such a point, all you need to do is remind yourself why you started your executive search at the first place. This can help you make a rational decision, pushing the emotions aside.

2. “How serious are you about the opportunity at hand?” is the next big question you need to answer yourself whenever there is a counteroffer at the table. Prepare yourself for why you would not want to accept a counteroffer in your own words beforehand. Do not wait for the offer to come knocking at the door and then start thinking. Write down all the points, this opportunity would bring for you. It could not only be monetary but also in terms  of networking, exposure, type of work, work culture, brand name etc.

3. This one is more of a caution for you. There are a lot of questions that need to be asked before you take up the counteroffer. Why is your current company suddenly so mindful of your future? Why is the company ready to have conversation about compensation just when they are faced with losing you? Do you see yourself in this company for another five years or not? Does the counteroffer include things you think you deserved anyways? Such questions would help you clear much confusion and would help you make an informed decision.

4. One harsh reality is nowadays company reserve counter offer as an ultimate weapon in the war for talent. Many companies keep the salary levels low on purpose so that they could give you what you truly deserve just when you threaten to leave the company so as to make you feel important.

5. A company who is giving you a counteroffer is doing nothing but saving themselves a lot of effort in terms of covering up your work till the time a replacement is found, searching for a candidate to fill your place etc. So do not think that they feel you special so they are asking you stay.