Resigning from a company is never an easy thing to do.  It is often something that we have spent many hours pondering, debating, discussing with family, etc. and when we finally reach the decision that it is time to make a move we think ok, final decision.

But what happens when your current company makes you an enticing offer to try and get you to stay, otherwise known as the counteroffer?  This can make the situation even more confusing and can make you second guess your “final decision” to resign….but beware!

Counteroffers can seem extremely appealing and flattering.  They can involve an increase in salary, promotions, disparaging remarks about the company you are joining, guilt trips, etc. but ask yourself this…why had you decided to leave in the first place?  The counteroffer is usually the company’s “knee jerk reaction” to try and get you to stay as a short term solution.

When you are temped with a counteroffer, consider the following:

1. No matter what you may be told, your loyalty to your company will forever be in question. You will always be suspected of looking for other employment and you will lose you “team player” status.
2. When you are forced to get an outside offer from another company before the present employer will suggest a raise, promotion or better working conditions, be suspect.
3. Your initial reasons for wanting to leave still exist.  The counteroffer is a sales tactic used by senior management as a short term fix,  and statistics show that the majority of those accepting counter-offers leave, or are terminated, within 6-18 months.
4. Counter offers are usually nothing more than stall devices to give your employer time to replace you.
5. You can be sure that your interests are secondary to your boss’s career and that flattering offers and comments are attempts to manipulate you to act in your employer’s best interests- simply put, it is not about you.
6. Accepting a counteroffer shows that your loyalty can be bought.   Accepting a counteroffer can be a big blow to your personal pride knowing that you were “bought back”.

As you can see “caving in” and accepting a counteroffer can be extremely damaging to your career.  If you make the decision to quit, stick to your guns.  Following through on your decision shows that you trust yourself to make the right choice and decide your own future.  You have an exciting opportunity with a new company- now take the leap and enjoy!