Using a job offer to get a payrise
Discussion
Hi All,
An update for you. I had a meeting with my customer and he wants to offer me a job. The basic pay is 25% more than I am currently earning. All I did was listen in the meeting to what he had to say about the role and why he wanted me on board. I asked the odd salient question here and there - basic information about pensions, leave, hours of work etc.
I told him to email me a job description and possible salary, as well as any other information he had about the role.
I know you have all been saying not to use this as a way of getting a pay rise with my current employer, but I feel I ought to tell my current employer that I have been head hunted, making it absolutely clear that I don't want to pursue this new job, but in light of the salary information I want to know if there is any more room for bumps in salary. By no means do I want to use this as an ultimatum, which some have done and been bitten as a consequence.
I think a frank chat with my boss is needed. Should I wait until the job description and salary information lands in my inbox, or be frank and speak to him before then? I know I don't want the job, but I'm keeping my options open out of curiosity and as a learning curve about what other roles are out there.
An update for you. I had a meeting with my customer and he wants to offer me a job. The basic pay is 25% more than I am currently earning. All I did was listen in the meeting to what he had to say about the role and why he wanted me on board. I asked the odd salient question here and there - basic information about pensions, leave, hours of work etc.
I told him to email me a job description and possible salary, as well as any other information he had about the role.
I know you have all been saying not to use this as a way of getting a pay rise with my current employer, but I feel I ought to tell my current employer that I have been head hunted, making it absolutely clear that I don't want to pursue this new job, but in light of the salary information I want to know if there is any more room for bumps in salary. By no means do I want to use this as an ultimatum, which some have done and been bitten as a consequence.
I think a frank chat with my boss is needed. Should I wait until the job description and salary information lands in my inbox, or be frank and speak to him before then? I know I don't want the job, but I'm keeping my options open out of curiosity and as a learning curve about what other roles are out there.
Just over a year ago I was offered another job paying more money. I didn't really want to leave my company but I did want to step up and take more responsibility (which this other role was offering). I also wanted more time near home (I'm currently an IT consultant) which this other job also offered. So my reasons for looking into this other job were not just money related.
I told my boss I'd been offered another role on 15% more than I was on, offering more responsibility and a permanent desk in London, but that I would prefer to stay if I could.
Within 24 hours I was offered a payrise and more responsibility which in turn should mean more time near to home if I stayed, which I accepted.
Unfortunately, of those 3 things, only the payrise materialised and I'm not wondering if I made the right decision to stay or not. But that aside, an honest discussion with your boss along the lines of "what can I do in return for a payrise" and relate it to this other offer is in order.
Good luck.
I told my boss I'd been offered another role on 15% more than I was on, offering more responsibility and a permanent desk in London, but that I would prefer to stay if I could.
Within 24 hours I was offered a payrise and more responsibility which in turn should mean more time near to home if I stayed, which I accepted.
Unfortunately, of those 3 things, only the payrise materialised and I'm not wondering if I made the right decision to stay or not. But that aside, an honest discussion with your boss along the lines of "what can I do in return for a payrise" and relate it to this other offer is in order.
Good luck.
wiggy001 said:
Just over a year ago I was offered another job paying more money. I didn't really want to leave my company but I did want to step up and take more responsibility (which this other role was offering). I also wanted more time near home (I'm currently an IT consultant) which this other job also offered. So my reasons for looking into this other job were not just money related.
I told my boss I'd been offered another role on 15% more than I was on, offering more responsibility and a permanent desk in London, but that I would prefer to stay if I could.
Within 24 hours I was offered a payrise and more responsibility which in turn should mean more time near to home if I stayed, which I accepted.
Unfortunately, of those 3 things, only the payrise materialised and I'm not wondering if I made the right decision to stay or not. But that aside, an honest discussion with your boss along the lines of "what can I do in return for a payrise" and relate it to this other offer is in order.
Good luck.
Thanks for the feedback. To be honest I'm not expecting a 25% pay rise from my current employer but a bump of about 10% would be great in my eyes. I told my boss I'd been offered another role on 15% more than I was on, offering more responsibility and a permanent desk in London, but that I would prefer to stay if I could.
Within 24 hours I was offered a payrise and more responsibility which in turn should mean more time near to home if I stayed, which I accepted.
Unfortunately, of those 3 things, only the payrise materialised and I'm not wondering if I made the right decision to stay or not. But that aside, an honest discussion with your boss along the lines of "what can I do in return for a payrise" and relate it to this other offer is in order.
Good luck.
It's such a tricky one. I am reticent to say anything just yet as the customer who has offered me the job is due in sometime after Easter to drop some loan products off that I have let him demo. I am questioning whether my boss would be quick to call him and say hands off, but that would be very unprofessional of him and I don't think it's in his nature, but who knows! Do employers get antsy and make rash decisions like that?
I've had that experience, a boss who took it way too personally when I went for 'the chat'
If you know your boss and what he's like under pressure then you'll know what he'll say, if anything. I personally think the tactic you're setting up for is a bit dirty, and what you'll get in money you'll lose elsewhere. Want a payrise, ask for one and justify it - holding someone to ransom isnt a nice way to do things and could have your bluff called. Be careful you dont end up with 0/2
If you know your boss and what he's like under pressure then you'll know what he'll say, if anything. I personally think the tactic you're setting up for is a bit dirty, and what you'll get in money you'll lose elsewhere. Want a payrise, ask for one and justify it - holding someone to ransom isnt a nice way to do things and could have your bluff called. Be careful you dont end up with 0/2
Volition said:
making it absolutely clear that I don't want to pursue this new job
If I was your boss, I'd just see this as an "out" from giving you any more money... basically, you've made it clear you're not going anywhere so why would I pay you more?I'd play it a lot more casual. Essentially say that whilst you're really happy with your current company (note: company, not pay), the draw of the increased offer is very tempting. Ask is there anyway he could remove that temptation?
Landlord said:
f I was your boss, I'd just see this as an "out" from giving you any more money... basically, you've made it clear you're not going anywhere so why would I pay you more?
I'd play it a lot more casual. Essentially say that whilst you're really happy with your current company (note: company, not pay), the draw of the increased offer is very tempting. Ask is there anyway he could remove that temptation?
And if he says no it forces me to leave!I'd play it a lot more casual. Essentially say that whilst you're really happy with your current company (note: company, not pay), the draw of the increased offer is very tempting. Ask is there anyway he could remove that temptation?
Landlord said:
f I was your boss, I'd just see this as an "out" from giving you any more money... basically, you've made it clear you're not going anywhere so why would I pay you more?
I'd play it a lot more casual. Essentially say that whilst you're really happy with your current company (note: company, not pay), the draw of the increased offer is very tempting. Ask is there anyway he could remove that temptation?
Just be aware that you need an exit strategy if your boss says no as you have marked your card and could end up in a worse position with regard to anymore rises.I'd play it a lot more casual. Essentially say that whilst you're really happy with your current company (note: company, not pay), the draw of the increased offer is very tempting. Ask is there anyway he could remove that temptation?
Volition said:
And if he says no it forces me to leave!
Exactly. If you really don't want the other job then I suggest you don't even mention it - it has a lot of potential to go badly for you.If you want a pay rise, then make a case for one, or perhaps ask where you're going in the company (even that's not always a smart move!).
Edited by NPI on Monday 14th April 14:11
Personally i think this depends entirely on your relationship with your boss. If your relationship is very good, you can probably have this chat, mentioning that you were approached rather than seeking them out, and even if he doesn't offer you the wage hike I'm sure he can understand thats 25% is a huge leap to make you think about it. The key is to not burn a bridge you've worked hard to establish.
If you're relationship is purely professional it's probably a case of that 'chat' ending in one of the two ways mentioned previously.
I had a boss who I got on with really well and knew he valued me, I got a job offer from another company (approached by them) that was 35% above my salary. I had the chat, he said he wanted to keep me but just didn't have the budget for an increase (in fairness some people had been given wage cuts that week). He understood that the offer had to be tempting but asked me sincerely to stay. I stayed for a bit but in the end the money won out. I left on very good terms and actually ended up doing business with him years later.
Only you'll know how your relationship is, just don't burn any bridges!
If you're relationship is purely professional it's probably a case of that 'chat' ending in one of the two ways mentioned previously.
I had a boss who I got on with really well and knew he valued me, I got a job offer from another company (approached by them) that was 35% above my salary. I had the chat, he said he wanted to keep me but just didn't have the budget for an increase (in fairness some people had been given wage cuts that week). He understood that the offer had to be tempting but asked me sincerely to stay. I stayed for a bit but in the end the money won out. I left on very good terms and actually ended up doing business with him years later.
Only you'll know how your relationship is, just don't burn any bridges!
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