What is the best way to leave my construction employer?
As construction recruiters, we advice construction job seekers to always discuss with your current employer what career plans they may have for you and what aspirations you have prior to you interviewing with another firm. This helps solidify your understanding with them, and establish your case that you gave your employer every opportunity to advance you or help you before looking outside the firm.
If you have accepted a position with another firm you should honor that commitment and not allow yourself to be persuaded to stay with your current employer. If you stay you will likely burn a bridge with your new employer who has shown you a good faith offer which you accepted, and trusted your acceptance to be sincere. Violating this agreement may come back to cause you problems with your future career. The local construction market is a small industry and far too small to burn bridges.
When resigning, keep the resignation positive, personal and off the subject of work. It's hard to argue with a personal matter pulling you away. Never mention anything negative about anyone, especially something that shows someone in your firm as having been problematic. That comment will eventually come back to haunt you.
Try and avoid any discussion about a counteroffer because if they buy you back ,they will always resent your means of obtaining the raise or promotion. Statistics show that 8 out of 10 people who accept counteroffers eventually leave their employer anyway within 12 months. What drove you away the first time is usually what drives you away the second time.