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Did you know that 70–80% of people who accept a counteroffer leave their company within six months?

That statistic gets cited frequently, but the truth is that the source is unverifiable. Sometimes, it’s attributed to the Wall Street Journal; other times, it is attributed to vague “national surveys,” but no clear study backs it up. The reality? There’s very little reliable data on counter offers. Much of what we know comes from experience—and at CiresiMorek, we’ve seen a lot.

As trusted advisors, we help our candidates anticipate counteroffers and make confident, long-term career decisions that align with their goals, not short-term fixes. Here are a few questions we encourage candidates to ask themselves when faced with a counteroffer:

• Why did you want to leave your current company in the first place?
• Why are they countering you now instead of investing in me from the beginning?
• What happens in the long term if you accept?
• Is the counteroffer even in writing?
• If the new opportunity solves the problems you’re experiencing, how would staying fix them?

The hard truth is this: counteroffers are often a band-aid on a deeper issue. Your loyalty may be questioned once your employer knows you’ve been exploring other options. You might be overlooked for promotions, strategic projects, or quietly replaced. It’s not about punishment—it’s about risk management.

We guide our candidates through these conversations not because we want to “close a deal” but because we’re in this for the long haul. We don’t shy away from tough conversations; in fact, we encourage them.

And if you’re on the market to get a counteroffer? We might not be the right firm for you, but we will push you to think. Why haven’t you asked for a raise or made your case for a promotion already? What if they don’t counter? Have you considered how that will be perceived?

Sometimes, the best move is to stay—and sometimes, to leave. Either way, you deserve clarity and a plan.

Accepting a counteroffer isn’t always wrong, but it’s rarely clean. Think of it like putting your house on the market. Even if you don’t sell, you’ve exposed things you must deal with—outdated wiring or foundational cracks. Your current role might require its own “renovations” to match the value you’re seeking, and once those issues are out in the open, they need to be addressed.

Ultimately, counteroffers rarely resolve the root causes of dissatisfaction. If you’re considering one—or facing the choice—make sure your plan is based on facts, not flattery.

At CiresiMorek, we’re here to guide you through every step of your career journey, including counteroffers. Because you deserve more than just a new job—you deserve the right one.