Statistics from Business Week, the National Employment Association, and the National Business Employment Weekly state that 80-90 % of  employees that accept counter-offers, leave within 6 months.   Emotions run high when a resignation is received and promises tend to be made by employers that are unrealistic. A natural fear of change could make you do something you would not ordinarily do. Never underestimate the value of your integrity in this situation.   Reasons companies extend a counter offer: Department morale suffers when people leave. Employee resignations do not look good on a manager's record. It is cheaper to give you a raise than it would be to recruit a new employee. The project you were working on will suffer delays because of your departure. Companies want to have low turnover rate. Companies do not want sensitive or confidential information going to a competitor. Companies do not want skilled professionals going to competitors. Reasons for not accepting a counter offer: Aside from money, your original reasons for leaving your job will still be present after accepting a counter offer. The money extended to you in the counter offer often comes out of your next raise or bonus. Companies usually have strict guidelines about salary increases and promotions. You will not be considered a loyal employee from here on out; therefore, you will never be included in the inner circle. When promotion time comes around, managers remember who was loyal and who was not. If the company hits rough waters, you will be the first to be let go. You had to threaten to leave in order to receive the rewards and career path you have earned. Often, when you accept a counter offer, your manager will already be looking for your replacement. The reality is that your boss does not like to be fired. Your boss is likely most concerned that she/he may look bad, and that this could jeopardize his/her career.  He/she is judged by the ability to retain staff. When a contributor quits, morale suffers. Further, your leaving might jeopardize an important project, cause a greater workload, or foul up a vacation schedule. It's never a good time for someone to quit, and it may prove very time consuming and costly to replace you, especially considering search and relocation expenses. It is much cheaper to keep you at a slightly higher salary. And, it would be better to fire you later, on the company's time frame.   Sample Resignation Letter 1   [Your Name] [Street • City • State • Zip Code] [Phone # • Fax phone # • Messages phone # • Email]   [Date today]   [Recipient's name] [Company name] [Address] [Address] [Address] Dear [Recipient's name]: Please accept this letter as my notice of resignation, effective [date]. This wasn't an easy decision, because I am grateful for the rewarding employment I've had with [Company name]. But after long hours of consideration, my decision is now final and I have accepted a position with another company. Sincere thanks and best wishes for the future, [Sign here] [Your name, title] cc [Names for copies] Sample Resignation Letter 2   [Your Name] [Street • City • State • Zip Code] [Phone # • Fax phone # • Messages phone # • Email]   [Date today]   [Recipient's name] [Company name] [Address] [Address] [Address] Dear [Recipient's name]: Please accept this letter as my formal notice of resignation from [Company name], effective [date, two weeks from date above]. The associations I've made during my employment here will truly be memorable for years to come. I hope a two-week notice is sufficient for you to find a replacement for me. If I can help to train my replacement or tie up any loose ends, please let me know. Thank you very much for the opportunity to work here. Sincerely, [Sign here] [Your name, title]  cc [Names for copies]   Sample Resignation Letter 3   [Your Name] [Street • City • State • Zip Code] [Phone # • Fax phone # • Messages phone # • Email]   [Date today]   [Recipient's name] [Company name] [Address] [Address] [Address] Dear [Recipient's name]: This is to formally notify you that I am resigning from [company name] as [title]. [Date] will be my last day of employment. Thank you for the opportunity to work for such an outstanding organization. Sincerely, [Sign here] [Your name, title] cc [Names for copies]     Resignation Recommendations   Shortly after you hand in your letter of resignation, you might get escorted out the door. That's typical at large companies, because it's better all the way around for both you and your company. On the other hand, your company might ask you to stay through your notice period. In either case, you might be watched closely in your final hours. Last impressions are more powerful than first impressions, so do all you can to be remembered as a professional and keep your references intact. When conducting reference and background checks, employers go back as far as ten years or more when contacting your former employers. Prepare to Resign So there's no question about what belongs to you or the company, compile your portfolio, take personal property home, and remove personal files and software from your computer before you resign. Again, you might be escorted out the door soon afterwards, so you might not a get a chance to do all of this. It might look just a tad suspicious if you wait until after you resign to remove stuff from your office, especially from your computer and file cabinet.     Resignation Meeting with Boss   Work out what you're going to say and then stick to it. The boss will try and probe you for more information – details that you may not want to give at this stage. Don’t be obstructive but simply make it clear that you are submitting an oral resignation. Emphasize the positives: you never know when your career will mean that you cross paths with your former employers so don’t dwell on the negative aspects of your time at the firm. Expect a reaction: unless your boss is expecting you to resign, your decision may come as a surprise. The boss may get emotional or even confrontational in which case, stick to your prepared comments. Retain your composure. The boss may by now no longer see you as a team player and may even feel betrayed. Once again, stick to your pre-prepared comments and try not to rise to the challenge. Speak in measured tones and regulate your breathing. Always leave the meeting on a good note and be as co-operative as possible. You should stress that you will undertake uncompleted work to the best of your ability. People remember both the first and last impression you make on them.   Give Ample and Proper Notice The minimum notice that U.S. employers typically require is two business weeks, and they usually want it in writing.  Don't jeopardize your new job or let your current employer exploit you.   Offer to Help Don't make promises you can't keep and again, don't let them exploit you. But consider offering to Assist in finding and interviewing your replacement Help out until your replacement is on board Break in your replacement   Ask for Reference Letters If they're not too upset that you quit, now's a good time to ask bosses, coworkers and direct-reports for reference (recommendation) letters, while they can still recall your finer points. Even if you've already landed a new job, look down the road. It doesn't hurt to keep reference letters on file for later use. They have several advantages, the biggest of which is that you'll already know what your references have to say about you   Say Good-Bye Take the time to talk with each of your bosses, coworkers and direct reports. Keep it positive and light, while choosing your words carefully. If asked why you're leaving, make general statements such as, "It's a career opportunity I just can't pass up." Avoid expressing too much regret, as it probably won't appear to be sincere. (Why would you quit if you truly regret it?) Instead, express your appreciation and say that you’ll miss working with them. If appropriate, distribute simple thank-you cards or notes.   Don't accept a counteroffer Despite how flattering it might be, many career advisors agree that it's not a good idea to accept a counteroffer once you've made it clear you want to resign. They might be making it only to take advantage of you until they find a "more dedicated" or cheaper replacement. (Why did they wait until you resigned, to offer you what you're really worth to them?) Try not to encourage a counteroffer by making statements such as, "I'm leaving because I need more money." You should decline tactfully to avoid bad feelings. However, avoid expressing too much regret, as that will help them pressure you to stay.   Don't feel guilty People quit all the time. No matter how guilty they try to make you feel, the company will likely survive just fine without you. If you feel a guilt trip coming on, think about how the company would likely have laid you off, without any guilt, if it were to their advantage.   Don't display a short-timer's attitude Before handing in your resignation letter, make sure your office and projects are in order and try to clear up unfinished business. Try to leave things in the same condition you'd like to see them if you were the boss or your replacement. If you have to stay through your notice period, conduct business as usual and give a little extra effort to wrap things up.   Don't join the bad eggs Some of your discontented coworkers might think you're now on their side, and prod you to criticize the company or coworkers. But it's not a good idea. You never know who you can truly trust, who your next boss might be, or who is eavesdropping just around the corner in the cubicle maze.   Exit Interview Your management or HR department might ask you for "constructive criticism" during your exit interview. But they might be trying to find out the "real" reason why you're leaving. (Why did they wait until you quit to ask for your opinion?) Never criticize the company or its employees. If they ask why you're leaving, make noncommittal statements such as, "It's a career move." Avoid statements they can read into, such as, "It's a more challenging career opportunity." To those ready to pounce, this seemingly innocent statement might imply that you weren't happy with the job you resigned. It might bite you later during background and reference checks.