Handing in your resignation can be very tough for both you and for your employer.  No matter how close you are with your boss, the resignation letter should be in written form so that your superior can share it with his/her supervisor and Human Resources. 

All companies have different policies when it comes to an employee handing in their resignation letter.  Some companies will want to usher you to the door, whereas others will let you work out the 2 weeks, so that you can help finish up a project or transitioning accounts to another sales rep. Of course, there are those that will try the ‘Counter Offer’ as it can cost a company a great deal of time, money and resources to fill your position.

A few things to consider when accepting a counter offer:

• If you stay, your loyalty will always be in question.
• You shouldn’t have to threaten to quit receiving an increase in pay or a promotion. 
• If a salary increase is offered, where is the money coming from?  Is this your next raise given to you early?
• Will the company search for a (cheaper) replacement?
• The majority of the employees that take a counter offer are gone in 6 months

At the point of accepting a counter offer you’ve demonstrated your unhappiness or lack of loyalty.  Your boss may view you as an outsider and not a team player.  Your name might be at the top of the list when then next reduction happens.

Apart from a short-term, band-aid fix, nothing will change within the company.  After the dust settles you’ll find that you’re in the same rut with the same issues. The rule of thumb with Platinum People and other recruiters in the industry is that 80% of those accepting counteroffers leave, or are terminated within the next 6 to 12 months.  More than half of the people restart their job search only 90 days after accepting the counter offer.

Accepting a counter offer will impact your current position and the new company offering you a job.  The hiring company has invested time and money to recruit you. After your acceptance they will typically let their candidate pool go and start prepping for your arrival by ordering business cards, lap tops and other items that you will need.  If you go back on your word it creates a negative reaction as they may have to start the entire search all over costing them even more time and money.  After all it’s a small world and you may interview with the same hiring manager with another company, which you might find yourself getting passed up for a less experienced candidate as the hiring manager knows you’re level of commitment.

Before moving forward with a counter offer, look at your current position and ask your self “why am I making a move to this other company?”  Most the time it’s not just money, it can be the people you work with, ethics, policies and procedures of the company.  If you accept a counter offer, will any of this change or will you be in the same unhappy position as you were before?