Negotiating a Counteroffer from Your Current Employer

Here’s the scenario: you don’t hate your current job, but you’ve been keeping your eye on the job market just in case a higher-paying opportunity comes along. After applying to a few positions, you landed a more lucrative position at another company.

You’d really like to keep your current job, but with increased pay in line with this new opportunity. Should you just put in your two weeks or is it worth talking things over with your employer? If you really do want to stay, it’s worth letting your manager know. You might be able to negotiate a counteroffer. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

  1. Make Sure the New Job is Worth It

Before you decide to ask your current employer for a counteroffer, make sure the new position is worth it. Not just in terms of salary, but also in terms of the people you’ll be working with and the culture of the company.

The new job should be a good fit, not just a bargaining chip to get a higher salary from your current employer. While counteroffer negotiations can go well, they can also result in your getting asked to leave. You might be seen as a flight risk once your company knows you’re looking at other job offers.

  1. Don’t Just Blurt It Out

Instead of running into your boss’ office and saying “I have an offer, can you match it,” opt for a more delicate strategy.

In an interview with CNN Business, Alex Twersky, co-founder of Resume Deli, a resume and career services firm, noted the need to first “approach your boss in a candid way about where you see yourself now, how you would like the role to change and responsibilities and salary to grow.”

After having that conversation about your worth to the company, you can bring up the job offer. Again, just know that once you mention another offer exists, it can change your current relationship with your company. So be prepared for that possibility.

  1. Don’t Burn Bridges

If your manager comes back to you a few days later and says your employer won’t be able to make a counteroffer, don’t take it personally. Just let them know that you accept their decision, and you will be putting in your two weeks.

It might be tempting to complain or try to negotiate further, but you never know what opportunities with this company might open in the future. Perhaps they’ll realize their mistake in not keeping you on, or a new, higher-paying position will open up.

If you can negotiate a counteroffer, congratulations! And if you can’t, you have another great job lined up. Either way, you’re going to do great.

Have you ever negotiated a counteroffer? How did it go? Let us know in the comments section below!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *