The Art of Bridge Burning - Why Accepting a Counter Offer is a bad idea

You've decided on a career move, and made it all the way to a job offer. You're excited about the new opportunity, but when you go to resign, your manager begs you to stay, offering a sweetener to encourage you to do so.

Accepting a counter offer from your current employer after you've already accepted a job offer from another company may seem like the best of both worlds, but in reality, it's a decision that can lead to many negative consequences. Here are a few reasons why you should think twice before accepting a counter offer:

• Lack of Trust: By accepting a counter offer, you're essentially telling your current employer that you were looking to leave the company. This can lead to a lack of trust between you and your employer, and could affect your future opportunities within the company.
• Short Term Fix: Many counter offers are made in an effort to keep an employee from leaving, but they often don't address the underlying issues that led to the employee's decision to look for a new job in the first place. As a result, many employees who accept counter offers end up leaving within a year anyway - often to a less attractive role than the one they turned down.
• Damaged Relationships: When you accept a counter offer, you're not just affecting your relationship with your current employer, you're also damaging your relationship with the company you were about to join. They may be less likely to consider you for future job opportunities.
• Limited Career Growth: If your current employer only makes a counter offer to keep you from leaving, they may not be committed to investing in your career growth and development.
• Financial Gain: Counter offers are often accompanied by a salary increase, but it is important to consider that long term, you may be losing out on more than just money by accepting a counter offer.

Accepting a counter offer can have negative consequences that far outweigh any short-term gains. If you're truly unhappy in your current job, it's best to take the leap and explore new opportunities.

​If you're unsure about your decision, it's important to weigh the pros and cons and consider the potential long-term effects on your career and your relationships.