What is Counter Offer?
A counter offer is a revised proposal made to keep you — from your current employer when you resign, or a new employer responding to your terms.
Key takeaways
- A counter offer is a revised proposal made to keep you — from your current employer when you resign, or a new employer responding to your terms.
- Counter Offer matters when you read a salary slip, compare job offers, or plan your career.
- Knowing how Counter Offer works helps you make sharper, better-informed job decisions.
Counter Offer — meaning & explanation
A counter offer is a renegotiated proposal in the hiring or resignation process. Most commonly it is your current employer's attempt to retain you — with a higher salary, promotion or new terms — after you submit your resignation.
In India, counter offers are increasingly common in competitive fields. A new employer can also make a counter offer if you negotiate the initial package. Either way, it reopens the discussion on compensation and role.
Weigh a counter offer carefully: consider why you wanted to leave, the long-term role, and not just the immediate raise. Negotiating from a genuine, well-researched position helps you decide objectively.
Related glossary terms
Offer Letter
An offer letter is a formal document from an employer stating the role, salary, joining date and key terms of…
Notice Period
A notice period is the time between resigning and your last working day, during which you continue working so…
CTC (Cost to Company)
CTC (Cost to Company) is the total annual amount an employer spends on you — salary plus all benefits and cont…
Variable Pay
Variable pay is the part of your compensation that depends on performance or targets, paid on top of fixed sal…
Garden Leave
Garden leave is a paid period after resigning when you remain employed but are asked to stay away from work un…
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More glossary terms
Counter Offer — FAQs
What does Counter Offer mean?
A counter offer is a revised proposal made to keep you — from your current employer when you resign, or a new employer responding to your terms.
Why does Counter Offer matter to a jobseeker?
Weigh a counter offer carefully: consider why you wanted to leave, the long-term role, and not just the immediate raise. Negotiating from a genuine, well-researched position helps you decide objectively.
Is Counter Offer the same as Counteroffer?
Yes — Counter Offer is also commonly called Counteroffer, Retention offer. A counter offer is a revised proposal made to keep you — from your current employer when you resign, or a new employer responding to your terms.
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