Counter Offers

When you accept a new position it is not easy going in to your boss to resign. Be prepared for a counter offer, but do not be tempted to accept it. History shows that most counter-offers which are accepted lead to a parting of the ways anyway not long afterwards. If there is an issue with your current company you should attempt to do the right thing by them and try to sort it out. If having done that, you have resolved to move on, just do it! Consider these universal truths:

1.	Let's face it. When someone quits, it's a direct reflection on the boss who might look bad by someone resigning. The gut reaction is to do what has to be done to keep the employee from leaving until the boss is ready. That's human nature. Unfortunately, it is also human nature to want to stay unless your working life is abject misery. Career changes, like all ventures into the unknown, are tough. That's why bosses know they can usually keep you around by pressing the right buttons.
2.	You should not have to threaten to resign to get what you are worth.
3.	Any situation in which an employee is forced to get an outside offer before the present employer will suggest a raise, promotion or better working conditions is suspect.
4.	No matter what the company says when making its counter offer, having once demonstrated a lack of loyalty (for whatever reason) you will lose your status as a "team player" and your place in the inner circle.
5.	A counter-offer is an insult to your intelligence - knowing you were bought.
6.	Your reasons for considering a change will repeat themselves - even if you accept a counter offer. Conditions are just made a bit more tolerable in the short term because of the raise, promotion or promises made to keep you.
7.	Counter offers are only made in response to a threat to quit. Will you have to solicit an offer and threaten to quit every time you deserve better working conditions?
8.	Decent and well-managed companies don't make counter offers - ever! Their policies are fair and equitable. They will not be subjected to "counter-offer coercion" or what they perceive as blackmail.
9.	Counter offers are usually nothing more than stall devices to give your employer time to replace you.