How to accept a job offer and manage a counteroffer

Job searching can be a stressful process, but nothing beats the relief you feel once an offer comes through from an organisation you’re excited to work for. You may even be in the fortunate position to have multiple offers to choose from.

However, even when you’re sure on a job offer that you would like to accept, there are still some things to consider to allow the process to continue smoothly, and ensure you are fully protected from any unexpected surprises further down the line.

Here are some tips on how to decide which role you should accept, best practice when accepting a job offer and how to manage receiving a counteroffer from your current employer.

Which role should I accept?

Having multiple offers is a nice problem to have, but deciding between them can be difficult. During this process, it’s best to reflect on the reasons why you’re leaving your current role and try to prioritise aspects of your job and package that mean the most to you. Factors to consider can include:

• Salary and financial perks
• Flexibility: working hours, work from home policy, condensed hours etc.
• Career progression and training opportunities
• Annual leave, parental leave etc.
• Length and cost of the commute
• The company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Diversity and Inclusion policies
• Other perks and benefits

Ultimately, you want to choose the organisation that offers the best perks, whilst also keeping you on track to achieve your long-term career goals.

Take a look at our full guide on how to choose the right job offer to accept.

What is best practice when receiving and accepting an offer?

If you do find yourself in the position of interviewing for multiple roles at once, do not accept an offer on the spot as you don’t want to then go back and pull out if you wish to accept another position.

Try not to accept immediately, unless you’re certain

Even if this is the only job you’re interviewing for, it’s still helpful to take a day or two to think about your options and what you would like to do.

Most job offers will be presented over the phone or in person by the hiring manager, before sending a written offer. This means that when you are offered the role, you can thank the hiring manager and ensure they know that you’re appreciative, but explain that you would like some time to think about it and will come back to them by X time. It’s perfectly reasonable to explain this, and you can ask about the steps that follow you accepting the offer, so everybody is on the same page.

In the meantime, they should send you the written offer (or you can ask for this) – which will contain details of salary, working patterns/expectations, annual leave and additional benefits.

Clear up any queries

There may be situations where you are happy with a written offer and are keen to accept, but have other queries about the specifics of the role that you would like to have answered first.

This could be anything from practical working arrangements, probation periods and equipment that you will be using, through to details of your pension.

It is always best to make sure you have all the information you feel is important about your day-to-day work and role before accepting an offer, to avoid any misunderstandings once you begin your employment.

This might also be a good time to talk about any reasonable adjustments you may require. This might be focused on equipment or training and will allow the hiring manager to seek the appropriate advice from HR, occupational health or a diversity and inclusion committee.

Accepting the offer 

Once you have considered your offer/s and are confident in your decision, you can then speak with the hiring manager and accept.

If you haven’t already received this, you should request for the offer to be sent over to you in writing. Ensure you are happy with the contents of the written offer and respond in writing with your acceptance.

Your response only needs to be short and to the point. You should:

• Thank the hiring manager again for their offer and state that you would be delighted to accept.
• Re-state and confirm the key terms of employment that you have agreed, such as:
  • Start date
  • Any alterations to flexible working arrangements that might not be in the written offer.
  • Anything else that has been discussed and isn’t on the written version of the offer.
• Send a final note of gratitude and eagerness to begin the role, as well as any personal contact information they might need that they do not already have on file.

Wait to hand in your notice 

Finally, hold off handing in your notice at your current position until a start date is agreed with the hiring manager. Particularly if you are on a short notice period, as factors such as compliance documentation, IT supply and availability of training and induction can hold-up your start date so it’s best to have confirmation first to ensure you’re not out of work in between roles.

How to manage receiving a counteroffer

One thing you will need to prepare for once you have handed in your notice with your current employer is the potential for them to come back to you with a counteroffer.

What is a counteroffer?

A counteroffer is when the candidate’s current employer offers a new package in response to their other offer, in the hopes to attract them to stay. It is intended to make them reconsider their resignation and can commonly promise a salary increase or a promotion.

For employers, they might want to keep the employee’s knowledge or experience, minimise the costs of hiring and training a new employee, or keep up morale within the rest of the team/business.

Counteroffers can be tempting in some instances; it may be a better package than you have been offered from the new company, and the familiarity of staying within the same business can be attractive. But you must also consider the reasons why you were looking for a new role.

If you’re unsure of whether to accept the counteroffer, take a look at our guide on 5 things to consider when receiving a counteroffer.

The decision around a counter-offer should be handled with careful consideration and ultimately, the choice has to come from your motivation on what you want next for your career. 

If you’re certain you are making the right decision to move on, it’s always best to have an honest but professional conversation with your manager to let them know your motivations for leaving. Thank them for their counteroffer and for their support throughout your time at the organisation, but politely decline and make it clear to them that your decision is final.

If you are considering new opportunities please contact us today to find out more about opportunities in your region. Alternatively, browse through our latest roles.