How to Handle a Counter Offer from a Candidate When Hiring for a Hard-to-Fill Role
11/04/2024 How to Handle a Counter Offer from a Candidate When Hiring for a Hard-to-Fill Role Imagine this moment. After weeks of searching, interviewing, and building a relationship with a strong candidate, everything finally comes together. The offer has been made, the candidate is excited, and it seems like the process is about to end successfully. Then the unexpected happens. Their current employer steps in with a counter offer. For recruiters and hiring managers, this situation is more common than many people realize, especially when filling roles that are difficult to replace. When a talented employee announces they are leaving, companies often move quickly to keep them. Suddenly the candidate who was ready for a new chapter is faced with two paths, one familiar and one uncertain. Counter offers often appear simple on the surface, but they are rarely just about money. A salary increase might be part of the offer, but employers frequently add other incentives as well. They m...