I just quit my new job after only three days, and I can't shake the feeling that I've made a huge mistake regarding my reputation. After being unemployed for about 9-10 months due to an unexpected layoff, I finally landed a management-level role at a company that seemed promising. I was excited to start, but I had also been interviewing with another company for months—the one I truly wanted to work for. Just three days into my new job, I received an offer from them that was significantly better in almost every aspect: 2-3 times the salary, remote work options, and a better fit for my career goals. They even sent me a signed contract and were shipping my work laptop. After a weekend of contemplation, I decided it was better to leave now, before I got too entrenched in the new role and they invested more time in training me. I hadn’t even taken ownership of any processes yet or received my countersigned employment contract. This morning, I went to the General Manager, apologized, and explained my situation honestly. I told him about the other offer and how the financial aspect was crucial for me at this point in my life. He did not take it well, calling me immature and suggesting that I was making a mistake by prioritizing salary over career growth. He even warned me that in our small city, everyone knows each other in the industry, and this could harm my reputation. While part of me believes I made the rational choice, I can’t help but wonder if I’ve jeopardized my career over this decision. Will hiring managers really remember this down the line, or was he just venting out of frustration? I feel guilty for inconveniencing them, but I also know I had to consider an opportunity that could drastically improve my financial situation. I’m looking for honest opinions on whether this is something that will haunt me in the future.