using job offer as leverage for pay increase?

Soldato
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18 Oct 2002
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Does anybody have any experience of this?

I've got a job offer for a similar role to one i'm currently performing for a few k's more PA. However, the job is a bit of a distance away and the wage increase will be offset by the associated traveling costs. But with a firm job offer on the table what would be the best way to negotiate a potential increase to my wage in my current company and is it worth the risk?

B@
 
Depends how you are with the company and how long you have been there.

Would everything you worked for be worth a few extra £££ after tax?
 
Depends on the job and how replaceable you are really.

When you do raise the question, don't be arrogant, just mention you have been offered a similar role with better pay and that you have to seriously consider it. Throw in the "economic downturn" too, makes you sound very corporate.
 
the difference is 3k PA before tax, which is about £150 a month after tax. I've been with the current company about 4 years and have had a small pay rise about 2 years ago. You say it like that and its got me wondering

B@
 
Depends on the job and how replaceable you are really.

When you do raise the question, don't be arrogant, just mention you have been offered a similar role with better pay and that you have to seriously consider it. Throw in the "economic downturn" too, makes you sound very corporate.

i'm not very easily replaceable, it'll take them 6 months at least to get somebody to competent level and even then it'll put a strain on this side of the business. They do have somebody in mind should another position in the company become available mind, but there'll still be a large period of transition which they wouldn't like i don't think.

B@
 
A colleague at my previous place did this and she regretted it. It put her in a very nagative light with her boss and she wished she just took the offer even with the extra commute distance.
It might be worth mentioning in salary negoations later on ("This company thinks i'm worth this but I decided to be loyal" kind of thing) but I wouldn't go for the 'Give me a raise or i'm jumping' ultimatium. As Tyron said it depends on a few things and which option is worth more to you in the long run.
 
People do this all the time, but only you can judge whether it will work for you. Are you valued? Do people get raises or is there grumbling about the stagnant wages? How much is £3,000 as a proportion of your current salary?
 
A colleague at my previous place did this and she regretted it. It put her in a very nagative light with her boss and she wished she just took the offer even with the extra commute distance.
It might be worth mentioning in salary negoations later on ("This company thinks i'm worth this but I decided to be loyal" kind of thing) but I wouldn't go for the 'Give me a raise or i'm jumping' ultimatium. As Tyron said it depends on a few things and which option is worth more to you in the long run.

so she got the pay rise and regretted it?

B@
 
6 months is replaceable :P
ah ok, fair enough.
People do this all the time, but only you can judge whether it will work for you. Are you valued? Do people get raises or is there grumbling about the stagnant wages? How much is £3,000 as a proportion of your current salary?

it would be a reasonable jump in salary and we're getting a lot of increased business at the moment so it isn't a bad time to ask.

B@
 
Yup but it was a 'Some now and the rest later' raise and it was at a time when they couldn't really afford to lose her so they felt very cornered. I guess she didn't go about the whole thing very well so it's probably not the best example - it might work out fine for you.
 
Used to do it all the time when younger and in demand (civil design engineer). I kept being retained by current employer. Not too sure if it works so well now and is definitely industry dependant. If you know that you are a key person they wish to retain and often it costs more to get someone else who they do not know, it may be worth asking. However a bird in the hand works both ways.
 
I would go in with somethign like,

I have been offered a position paying 4K a year more, ( I know you said 3)

I love working here because its a great bunch of people, I enjoy the job, blah blah blah...

I really dont want to move on but the pay increase is very attractive, is there room for negotiation with my current sallery....
 
It depends how you phrase it really.

If you approach it as 'I've been offered another job with decent opportunities that has made me have to consider my future, what potential future opportunities will I have in my current role, or what other opportunities might become availible?' then I can't see it going down too badly.

Going in with 'give me a raise or I'm leaving' is obviously a terrible idea.
 
You will either find out how much they want you, or how indifferent they are to you.

I wouldnt bother, and just make the choice on other factors.

Dont forget as well, by trying to wangle more money out of them "or you will consider this other offer" also means they could decide that even if you stay, you are not all that invested in your role.
 
It's standard practice to do it. However you can't guarantee the result. You just need to be very nice about it, be honest, and give your employer room to move.

It obviously depends on the relationship you have with your boss, but I'd say something like...

"I like it here, but as you're aware I've a young family/want to buy a house/saving to get married/etc and I do have to consider the financial side of things. I've applied and been successful for a higher paid job elsewhere, but I don't want to leave this company, the people here and the job behind. What do you think I should do?"
 
Tbh having another job lined up is often the only leverage you do have when it comes to getting a payrise :p

I would just be honest with your boss - say that you've been offered another position with better pay and benefits and because of that you are considering taking it - however you enjoy the job/people you work with currently and because of that you wanted to review your current salary and conditions to see if you can come to an arrangement that suits.
 
Tbh having another job lined up is often the only leverage you do have when it comes to getting a payrise :p

I would just be honest with your boss - say that you've been offered another position with better pay and benefits and because of that you are considering taking it - however you enjoy the job/people you work with currently and because of that you wanted to review your current salary and conditions to see if you can come to an arrangement that suits.

this is pretty much where i was mentally and seems the least likely to **** people off. I would have no problem continuing working here should they reject my proposal and i don't want to muddy the waters, but how else do you get what you feel you're worth?

B@
 
long term prospects are greater than short term salary increases.

Its better to go in with the attitude that you are negotiating on your career rather than just your salary. If its just cash realted then forget negotiating and just hand in your notice and go to the new offer.

You need to weigh up what opportunities are available at each firm and where you see yourself going with regards to them. A 3k increase today is useless if you are still in the same slary band in 5 years time. However a small rise today is palatable if in 5 years time you are 3 / 4 levels higher taking in double your current salary for example.
 
The problem is that when he begins his negotiation the ball starts rolling which can't be stopped regardless if he get's what he wants or not.

OP what is your job/salary if you don't mind.
 
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