Start with why you wanted to leave
Write down the two or three real reasons you started looking. Then check each one against the counteroffer. If the offer fixes pay but your reasons were growth, management or workload, those reasons will still be there next month.
Questions to ask yourself
- Does the offer change the thing that made me look, or only the salary?
- Why did it take a resignation to get this offer?
- Will my manager and team see me differently now?
- Have I already made a commitment to the new employer, and how would they react?
- Is the offer in writing, with a start date and the same title or a better one?
When accepting can make sense
If the offer addresses your real reasons (a new role, a different manager, a changed scope), is put in writing, and you have not yet signed elsewhere, it can be a good outcome. Decide quickly and tell the other employer promptly and politely.
How to decline politely
Thank your manager for the offer, say you have made your decision, and confirm your last day and handover plan. Keep it short. The AI assistant below can draft the message for you.
How to accept without burning a bridge
Get the counteroffer in writing first. Then contact the new employer as soon as possible, thank them, and withdraw clearly. Do not use one offer to bargain with the other after you have accepted.