Recruiters: Shop Talk

For recruiters, by recruiters. Interesting things we've found. Lessons we've learned and want to share with others.

Counter Offers, and Walking Candidates Through Them

When do you talk to candidates about counter-offers? Hopefully very early on - even during your first meeting with them. This has clear benefits for you and your candidate:

  • allows you to walk the candidate through the many reasons to not accept the offer;
  • helps you sound out the candidate on the issue and identify those who aren't that serious about making a move;  
  • raises the issue at the right time (rather than when the offer is received, which can make you look self-interested).

Be sure to get your candidates to think about why they're leaving. Accepting a counter-offer is almost always a very bad idea - here's why.