Dear Headhunter,   
 
I recently accepted an offer with one of our competitors.  It was a fair offer, but a few days after I gave notice to my boss he came back to me with a significant raise in pay for me to stay.  Now I am torn on what to do.  What are your thoughts?

Sincerely, To Go or Not To Go

Dear To Go or Not To Go,

Counteroffers are back and here to stay!  I strongly believe you need to beware of counteroffers.

                                                   
Concentrate on your original reason for looking at a new opportunity.  Generally it was not monetary and even if they offer you a few dollars more, the original dissatisfaction still exists.
According to Business Week, 9 out of 10 employees that accept counteroffers have left or been asked to leave within 6 months.  Why?

• They have expressed disloyalty and the company will replace them as soon as it is convenient for the company to do so.

• The promises made in the counteroffer never materialize.

• The counteroffer was everything you ever wanted, but you still report to corporate headquarters and the same politics are going on there.

Concentrate on your original reason for looking at a new opportunity.  Generally it was not monetary and even if they offer you a few dollars more, the original dissatisfaction still exists.

ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS:

• What were the circumstances that caused me to consider a change?

• What will cause these factors to change if I accept a counteroffer?

• Have my career and life goals become altered during this period?

• Why did I have to resign for my company to recognize my worth?

OUR ADVICE:

If you intend to stay, don't resign.
If you resign, don't stay!