I just put in my notice, and my company immediately hit me with a counteroffer. It feels a bit insulting that they suddenly found the budget only after I threatened to leave. Should I even consider it, or is this a major red flag that they never valued me in the first place?

You know your situation best. Most people will advise you against taking the counter offer and say stuff like- most people end up leaving a year or two later anyways, the non compensation problems that made you look somewhere else probably won’t get fixed, the company will look to replace you since you’re now a flight risk, etc.

In my own experience, I accepted the counter offer and then was promoted to Partner a year later. I’m still with my firm years later and happy I stayed.

Don’t take it personally, it’s just how the system works - right or wrong. Weigh all the facts, good and bad, and make what you think is the right decision for you.

In my opinion, I would not accept the counter-offer. If they genuinely valued your contributions, they would have compensated you adequately in the time you been there. By accepting the counter-offer, there is a possibility that they may exploit it later by increasing your workload or even creating a toxic work environment. Consequently, you may find yourself considering a move within a few years. It is essential to prioritize your well-being and ensure that your needs are met. It is likely that they are aware of the risks associated with training a replacement and the potential costs involved. Therefore, they may be more inclined to offer a higher increase to retain you. Just my two cents.

did u ask for a raise and they said no? if so, then yes say bye bye bye.

That happened to me once before too but the other issues aside from comp wouldn't change so I stuck with my resignation. If comp is your only gripe then it's a win. A learning lesson for the future but at least a temporary win.

All depends on why you were looking to leave to begin with. Was it only about the money, or was there another reason?

1. Why Were You Looking in the First Place?
If money was your only grievance and your current company matches or beats your new offer, staying might make sense. But if you were looking to escape a toxic boss, leave a dead-end role, or improve your work-life balance, those fundamental issues will likely remain.

2. Is Your Trust Broken?
Once you hand in your resignation, the dynamic shifts. Your employer now knows you are a flight risk, which can damage your perceived loyalty and occasionally lead to your role being quietly shopped around while they look for a cheaper replacement.

3. Why Did It Take Leaving to Get Valued?
Consider why the counteroffer is happening now. If you have been asking for a raise or promotion for months and were continually denied, it indicates a reactive management style. You may have to threaten to quit every time you want a raise in the future.

4. What is the New Job Offering?
Look past the immediate salary difference. Evaluate the new company's long-term career trajectory, learning opportunities, and culture. A new challenge might offer better compounding career growth than a temporary pay increase at a stagnant job.

Has anyone accepted a job offer with good compensation and the job is not as advertised.

It’s not remotely a red flag.

Would you hire a housekeeper for $100/week, pay them for years, and then Year 5 think to yourself, damn, this person should be charging more, inflation is out of control! And then start paying them $150 or $200?

It's business. No one is going to pay more unless they have to. So your job is to make them have to pay you more, if you are worth it. First step is asking, if they say no the second step is getting an offer to throw in their face, if they counter and you like it, stay, if they don't or you don't like it, third step is going somewhere else that pays what you want, as needed.

Don't take it personally.

Every company wants the best workers for the best price. Its business. If they counteroffered, it means you're valuable. In my experience, most people don't get counteroffers.

I was told by a recruiter friend that counters rarely work out well for the employee. They now know you’re willing to leave and theres often animosity and resentment with some employers countering just to keep the employee while they quietly find their replacement. If they didnt value enough previously to pay you what you’re worth, it likely wont get better

Employer will not pay you more unless it has to. R u leaving for better pay alone, or factors as well?

Maybe they paid you what they believed was market rate and fair. And maybe you getting another offer was a wake up call that they were behind in your worth. No one is perfect and people make mistakes. So I DK t think you should be offended by the counter offer. But you should consider why you wanted to leave in the first place. If that still exists, then the money won’t fix it.

If they don’t value you before notice what makes you think they will value afterwards?