Dear Nina,
I've just resigned from my role and my employer has given me an amazing counter offer. I'm really torn – what should I do?
Confused, NSW.
Dear Confused,
Counter offers can definitely make resigning that extra bit harder! However, in the current market, if you’re good at your job, you’ll most definitely receive a counter offer when you resign. It’s standard form, which is why it’s great to be prepared.
There are pros and cons to counter offers, but given that most people who accept counter offers are back on the market again in no time, it’s obvious there are more cons!
So, what’s the best way to resign? Simply sign your new contract with satisfaction, be prepared with a written resignation letter, and be confident with your decision.
What should you expect after resigning? Expect a prolonged number of meetings to discuss questions like ‘why are you leaving us?’, ‘What’s wrong?’ ‘How can we fix this?’
Expect your manager to tell you they’ll change the world for you, but – let’s be honest – why is it only after you’ve resigned they’re pulling out all the stops?
I’ll tell you why, because the cost of replacing you is not worth their efforts and they don’t have the time right now.
The easy option for them is to give you that pay increase you’ve been requesting for 12-months and move on. Do they have your best interests at heart? You tell me.
What should you do? You should think about the reasons why you were looking to leave in the first place. Those reasons never change.
Here’s my advice on how not to burn your bridges when you resign. Cities like Sydney, for example, are too small to burn bridges and no one wants to leave a place that they once loved on bad terms.
I always tell candidates that a good manager should understand why you want to move, why you want to grow and why you need a bigger challenge. A good manager will know that one day in the future you’ll work together again. And when you do, you’ll be better at what you do and they’ll benefit from this move. A good manager always comes round and they’ll always respect your decision.
Good luck with the new job and all the best with leaving your old employer on positive terms!
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