回复：A job-changing story

It's my personal style that I would not say things like "if this counter offer had occurred 12 or 6 months back, I might have considered. " Although I may have the same feelings, but I would try my best to check it. My personal oppinion is that we should behave professionally and not to show personal emotions at workplace. I would probably just say that "Thank you, but I have thought about it carefully. With competition for scientific fundings being tough now and in the coming years, it will not be an easy transition into a tenured position in due time. Therefore,...". I think your leaving sends a message to them already. Actions speak louder than words. In words, we always just want to be appropriate.