Counter-Offer Decision Worksheet

Decide before the conversation.

A counter-offer conversation moves fast. Complete this in advance, so your decision rests on the reasons you started looking.

Pairs with The Counter-Offer Reality Check.

Section 1

The reasons I decided to look

List the reasons that led you to explore a new opportunity. Then rate whether the counter-offer addresses each one.

Section 2

What changes vs. what stays the same

What the counter-offer changes

What it does not address

Section 3

The trust question

Research

The Work Institute’s 2020 Retention Report, drawing on more than 233,000 employees, found career development was the top reason people quit. A salary adjustment does not solve a career development problem.

What are you being offered beyond a salary adjustment?Promotion, role restructuring, leadership path, equity, written commitments

Which of those commitments are in writing, and from whom?Verbal promises at this stage carry little weight. Written agreements with a named decision-maker carry more.

If those commitments are not kept six months from now, what is your plan?Answer this honestly before you accept. It is much harder to answer after.

Section 4

My decision

Based on everything above, where do you land?

I should accept the counter-offerI should decline and proceedI need more information before deciding

In order to accept, I would need these conditions in writing before signing

If I decline: the start date I am working toward