1. Delays or interruptions. If the candidate suddenly takes to being unavailable or needing to reschedule client it could indicate a renewed affection for his current employer.
2. Prolonged indecision. A candidate who takes forever to make up his mind, or constantly needs more information, never wanted the job in the first place.
3. Inappropriate consultations. When a candidate discusses your client's job with a current supervisor, it's a sure sign he's angling for a counteroffer.
4. Timely reviews. It's funny how quickly a candidate's boss will fork over a raise, especially when the candidate indicates that he's looking around.
5. Resignation letters that leave the door open. Always review a draft of the candidates resignation letter especially if you're working with an inexperienced or high-risk candidate; and encourage them to remove any phrases such as, "I hope there may be an opportunity here for me in the future," or, "This has been a difficult, heart-wrenching decision for me."
To win the war against counteroffers, vigilance and preparation are your most powerful allies. If a placement opportunity begins to smell funny, it is a good idea to close the candidate once and for all—or find another candidate for the job. Otherwise, you could be in for a rough ride, with little control over the outcome of your search.
