Counteroffer

Although your first reaction may be to re-consider accepting a new job when your employer extends a counteroffer, stop and ask yourself these three questions:

1.  Is it just about money? The decision to leave a job is rarely about money alone. While you may be able to address one or two important issues by adjusting your compensation or responsibilities, the other reasons you were receptive to other opportunities will not disappear. In fact, you may be forced to have this same conversation in less than a year. You may only be delaying the inevitable.

2.  Can you go forward from this point? Your employer will probably take your threat of departure personally. Suddenly, your loyalty becomes an issue, especially if you have accepted a job with a competitor. If your employer would be moving forward with ill will, it may be best to simply part ways.

3.  How will it affect the rest of the staff? Though you may try, it is highly unlikely that your counteroffer discussions will be kept strictly confidential. Once your co-workers find out that you took a counteroffer, there might be great resentment among the rest of the group. You may lose the acceptance of your peers.

Remember, as attractive as counteroffers may appear, they greatly decrease your chances of achieving your real career potential.