Career GlossaryCounter Offer
Career Definition
What is Counter Offer?
A response to an initial job offer proposing different terms, such as higher salary, better benefits, or additional perks.
In-Depth Definition
A counter offer is a formal or informal response where the candidate proposes modified compensation terms. It typically addresses base salary, signing bonus, equity, start date, or remote work arrangements.
Counter offers can also come from your current employer when they learn you have accepted a competing offer — research shows that 50% of employees who accept a counter offer from their current employer leave within 12 months.
Why Counter Offer Matters in 2026
Knowing how to present a counter offer professionally and when to walk away from one can mean the difference between a career-accelerating move and a dead-end situation.