How to handle a counter offer when resigning in the Netherlands 

Accepting a new job offer should feel like the final step in your career move. Yet for many finance professionals, the most difficult decision comes after signing a contract and handing in their resignation. 

What often follows is a conversation that changes the dynamic completely. 

Your current employer may tell you how valued you are. A salary increase may suddenly appear. A promotion that seemed distant is brought forward. Flexible working arrangements improved secondary benefits, or performance-related bonuses may suddenly become available. 

Receiving a counter offer can be flattering and reassuring. It can also create uncertainty

Why did you start looking for a new role? 

Before evaluating the counter offer itself, it is important to revisit the reason you entered the job market. 

Most professionals do not begin job seeking solely because of compensation. More often, the decision develops over time as career priorities change or frustrations build. 

For some, the issue is limited career progression and a lack of opportunity to move into more senior leadership positions. Others are seeking exposure to a different industry, a larger organisation, a more prestigious job title, or a more complex international environment. 

When an employer responds with an immediate pay rise, it can be tempting to focus on the financial benefit. However, if the reasons behind your original decision remain unchanged, the counter offer may only address part of the problem. 

Assessing a counter offer objectively 

When reviewing a counter offer, we recommend taking a structured approach. 

Compensation is often the most visible element, but it should not be the only factor under consideration. If your current employer can suddenly provide an increase in salary, it is reasonable to ask why that level of remuneration was not available before your resignation. 

Comparing your proposed package against your current salary, expected annual salary, and wider market benchmarks can help you make a more informed decision. This is where speaking to experienced recruiters can be valuable, as they can provide insight into your true market value within the Dutch finance market. 

Career development should also be assessed carefully. A promise of future development can be attractive, but it is important to understand exactly what has changed. Are new responsibilities guaranteed? Will there be a genuine change in role or simply additional tasks under the same job title? 

Will the role include clearly defined additional responsibilities and a pathway towards promotion? Have timelines and expectations been agreed? Clear commitments generally carry more weight than informal discussions. 

The negotiation process

 The negotiation process surrounding a counter offer can be challenging, particularly when emotions are involved. 

Many professionals focus primarily on compensation, but effective salary discussions should consider the full package. This includes bonuses, pension contributions, flexibility, holiday entitlement, and other secondary benefits that may influence your overall satisfaction. 

While many online guides offer salary negotiation tips, the most important consideration remains whether the role aligns with your long-term career goals.

The risks of accepting a counter offer

 Many professionals who accept counter offers do so with positive intentions. They feel appreciated, secure, and optimistic about the future. 

However, it is worth considering why counter offers sometimes fail to deliver long-term satisfaction. 

In many cases, the underlying issues that triggered the original job search remain unchanged. While an immediate pay rise, enhanced bonuses, or a revised job title may initially improve morale, challenges around progression, leadership, culture, or workload often re-emerge over time. 

As recruiters, we regularly speak with professionals who accepted a counter offer only to re-enter the job market months later. The financial increase provided temporary reassurance, but it did not fully address their long-term objectives.

Making the right decision for your career

Whether you choose to accept a counter offer or move forward with your new job offer, the decision should be based on your future ambitions rather than short-term incentives. 

The most successful career moves are rarely based solely on an increase in salary. They are driven by a combination of career progression, learning opportunities, organisational culture, leadership exposure, and long-term development. 

Before making your decision, take time to reflect on what motivated your job search in the first place. Compare both opportunities objectively and consider which option is most likely to support the future you want to build.

How Brewer Morris can help

At Brewer Morris, we work with finance professionals across the Netherlands at every stage of their careers. Whether you are considering a new opportunity, weighing up a counter offer, exploring current vacancies, or looking to understand your market value, we can provide independent advice based on current market insights and hiring trends. 

As a specialist recruitment agency, we support finance professionals in making informed career decisions through every stage of the hiring and negotiation process. 
 
Get in touch with one of our specialist recruiters today and let us help you with your next move.