Beware the Counteroffer

I ran across this today and wanted to share.  Food for thought!  A counteroffer is your current employer thinking about themselves and not you.  As soon as you announce your resignation to your former employer, there is an immediate and permanent loss of trust. You may get a counteroffer because your former employer:

• Is short staffed and needs a body to get the work done.
• Is it worth burning a bridge with the company that you just gave your word?
• If the counter offer meets your new salary from the position you just accepted.   Why didn't they give you that money in first place?
• Doesn't want the hassle or expense of recruiting, hiring and training a replacement.
• May have difficulty in finding someone with your skills.
• Would hurt his/her image or record due to the turnover.
• Would have to work harder for a while to handle your workload.

While all these reasons make sense for your former employer, none of them are good reasons for you to accept that counteroffer. Not only will you have the same issues as before, but you also have to deal with a boss who will probably carry mistrust and resentment for a long time to come. When the next promotional opportunity arises, do you think you would get the same consideration as someone else who hadn't already presented a resignation? Let's face it - things can never be the same again.