The Counter Offer As you well know, significant life change and career decision-making is not always an easy process to go through. It can be said “the easiest decision to make is always the one that involves the least amount of change.” Though such a decision isn’t necessarily the best one, many people, if not counseled properly throughout the entire process, will in the end “when push comes to shove” succumb to an overwhelming fear of change, or to a feeling of great reluctance and even remorse, when faced with the necessity of effectively tendering their resignation, resulting in the disappointing “turn down”. On the other hand, many employers see their key people as being irreplaceable. Consequently, they might, and likely will, attempt to counter offer them in one form or another. Remember that counter offers come in many forms, shapes and sizes. Of note is the statistical fact that the vast majority of those who unwittingly fall victim to the seductive lure of a counter offer, end up leaving their present employer within six months to one year of having accepted a counter offer. The reasons for this are painfully obvious. So why go through the process of making the requisition, entering into the time and energy consuming interview process, and then preparing and presenting a formal offer of employment to a good candidate, only to have it turned down? Worse yet, have one accepted and a start date confirmed, only to have it later rejected when the person has a sudden last minute “change of heart”!? If a counter offer is anticipated, or if the candidate is not entirely willing and prepared to actually make the change, then we will recommend that our client hold off on presenting a formal offer until the prospective employee is firmly committed (for the right reasons) to joining the new firm. “Even though they may have already accepted a formal offer, some people, when under pressure, simply cannot help but be persuaded to reconsider their resignation when confronted with tantalizing promises of a large salary increase and/or an imminent promotion. The easiest decision to make is always the one that involves the least amount of change. Through consultation and resignation prep with our candidate, not only are we able to effectively pre-empt the dreaded counter offer before it happens, but when you present your offer through us, you can rest assured that your offer will always be accepted. How? "(We will have already obtained the candidate’s prior tacit acceptance before any formal offer is extended – JF)”