There has been an increase in the number of candidates lost to counter offers following an official offer being made, according to new figures from Matrix Recruitment.
They show that professionals are increasingly being presented with counter-offers from their current employer to entice them to stay, at the point of the employee handing in their notice to pursue another job offer.
In the last 12 months, at Matrix Recruitment, 76% of clients reported a notable increase in the number of candidates lost to counter offers following an official offer being made.
In a further LinkedIn poll by Matrix, 66% of job-seeking professionals admitted they would be tempted to stay in their current role if offered a counter-offer with increased pay or improved benefits.
Counter-offers can take many forms such as a higher salary or promotion or a combination of both.
"It can be flattering to receive a counter-offer from your current employer," said Matrix Regional Recruitment Manager, Joanne Foley.
"You are likely to feel valued and subsequently you may consider staying despite having gone through a lengthy recruitment process and accepting another role," she added.
However, she said research suggests that 80% of people who accept a counter-offer will leave within 6-12 months of accepting.
She said there are a number of reasons why such a high number will end up leaving anyway within the year.
"There was obviously a reason you decided to look for a new role in the first place," said Ms Foley, "and this is rarely based on salary. By staying where you are, the reasons which made you look in the first place will remain," she added.
