Using a job offer as a bargaining chip...

Xcellor

Hi Guys,

Just want some feedback on this... I have just done a second round interview and it went well. Hoping to get an offer.

I have been with my current employer three years and would be considered senior but yet I am not earning what I should be. I am thinking of using a job offer as some leverage to get my current employer to put their hand in the pocket and show me the money.

Has anyone done this before? If so how do you approach it? What was the reaction?

The job I have at the moment is managing technical people on hourly pay and one who is on salary but the other job is just part of a team IT Analyst like. Prestige is nice but it doesn't pay the bills however!!

X

Glowing

Would you leave if your employer didn't match the new salary? Or are you just interesed in getting a pay rise where you are?

If so, the last thing you want to do is to back your company into a corner, that could backfire you and you'll end up out on your ear.

AARRRGH

I've seen it work a few times alright. Word gets round the person is leaving due to X, management then step in and fix X.

Sar!

Me too - seems to be pretty common nowadays but the only thing Ill say is that I have found if you are being underpaid/not recognised in your current job its probably not the only thing thats bugging you about the place and those things dont generally change by you getting a salary increase. It may be nice for a while but it doesnt last.

Chances are that if your current employer decide to make you a counter offer to keep you on and you accept, its pretty common that in 6 months or less sadly youll be out looking for another job again. If you get offered the new job - take it (Best of luck too!)

Xcellor

I fairly much like most of my current job. My team is a nice selection of personalities and everyone works well with one another.

If I have a job offer which is giving me more money I think I would be crazy to turn it down... The way I figure is this time of year the budgets are being done up and there is usually more cash to spend than at the end of the fiscal year so it's got the best chance of working. Plus there is no one on my team that would easily fit into my position, i.e. not enough experience etc.

The only thing is it puts my loyalty in question.. but really you can only be loyal if you feel you are being fairly compensated which I'm not. I'm on less than 30k for a technical support lead, 7 direct reports with over 3 years at the company. I don't think I'm being greedy just realistic!

Sar!

Im glad you like the job but sometimes as you said yourself would be crazy to turn down a better offer! Sadly its my experience that in many cases loyalty is not really fully rewarded hence you have to start to think of number one Im afraid.

3 years is also probably long enough to know if things will change or not too so I think you are definitely making the right decision about looking elsewhere.

Im not sure what size of a company you work in but seems to be pretty commonplace that in a smaller company, where you will feel that loyalty, you end up taking on alot of responsibilty for a long time (at a reduced wage) until the company can expand (if they ever can!). Great experience and experience you probably wont get elsewhere but its hard to do long term and three years is plenty!