Why you shouldn't take a Counter Offer

Using a job offer as a bargaining chip with your current employer may seem tempting but all too often it ends badly. If you want a raise, then negotiate one on its owns merits or prepare to move on.

1. Employers often make counter offers in a moment of panic but after the initial relief passes,  you may find your relationship with your employer has changed for the worse. You are now the one who is looking to leave, you are no longer part of the 'inner circle' and you may be top of the list if your company needs to make cutbacks.
   
2. Even worse, your company might just want time to search for a replacement, figuring its only a matter of time before until you start looking around again. You might turn down your other offer and accept your employers counteroffer only to find yourself pushed out soon afterward.
   
   80% of people who accept counteroffers either leave or are let go within a year
   
3. There's a reason you started job searching in the first place. Whilst money is always a motivator, more often, there are other factors that drove you to look for another job, personality fit, your boss, boredom with the work, lack of recognition. These factors aren't going to change, and will likely start bothering you again as soon as the pay rise wears off.
   
4. Even if you get more money out of your company now, think about what it took to get it. You needed to have one foot out of the door to get paid the wage you wanted, and there's no reason to think that future salary increases will be any easier. The nest time you want a raise, you might be refused altogether on the grounds that 'we gave you that big increase when you were thinking about leaving'
   
   
5. You may be told to take the other offer, even if you don't really want it and then you'll have to follow through. Using another offer as a bluff is a really dangerous game.
   
6. Finally, your new employer is very unlikely to consider you again for any job offers.