How to deal with a counter-offer?

So, here you are – After successful interviews and accepting the job offer, you’re ready to hand in your notice. But then, an unexpected twist – a counter-offer.

What if your current employer wants you to stay?

Cue the influx of thoughts and emotions swirling through your mind. Before hastily jumping into a decision, take a beat and consider the pros and cons of both options.

Don’t forget why you started looking for a change in the first place. 

List the reasons why you wanted to leave. Evaluate the importance of each of your reasons. Has any aspect of the counteroffer impacted one of your main reasons for leaving?

Prepare a simple table.

Outline all the options you have and list all the aspects and how important they are to you (on a scale of 1 to 10).

Then, thinking of each opportunity in terms of the specific factor, assign a 1-10 mark respectively. This exercise helps quantify and visualize how well each opportunity aligns with your priorities. Using the weighted average, you can then objectively assess which option best suits your personal and professional aspirations.

Alternatively, you could always flip a coin.

As amusing as it may sound, this exercise often elicits an immediate and instinctive reaction when the coin lands, shedding light on your subconscious preference. When you’re in the decision-making process listen to your gut feelings, it may be directing you to the choice that most resonates with you. Amidst the quantitative analyses and structured frameworks, never underestimate the power of intuition.

So, as you navigate a counter-offer, consider the multifaceted aspects of your decision, embracing both analytical frameworks and intuitive insights. It’s a delicate balance between logic and instinct that will ultimately steer you toward the choice that aligns seamlessly with your aspirations and values.

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