Hi, I’m Taylor Mauer, Founder and Senior Managing Partner at Heavy Civil Resource Consultants. Today, I want to dive into a topic that’s important but often misunderstood: Why you should never use an offer from another company to leverage a higher salary from your current employer.
Now, before you even think about looking at other opportunities, take a moment for some self-reflection. Ask yourself: Why am I considering this tactic?
If you’re grossly underpaid, that’s one thing, but if compensation is only part of the equation, it’s unlikely that other issues—like culture, leadership, or job satisfaction—will be resolved just by getting a raise. So, is it truly about compensation? And if so, what’s driving your expectations for a higher salary?
Perhaps you feel like you’re being underpaid, but have you researched salary data for your industry and niche? You might actually be right on par. To help with that, we’ve put together one of the most comprehensive Interactive Salary Survey Maps in the industry. Please check it out and take less than a minute to complete the survey. I will include those links in the notes and comments below.
Maybe what you’re really after is a promotion, which often comes with a salary increase. But before taking drastic steps like “shopping offers” elsewhere, ask yourself: Am I comfortable discussing my goals with my supervisor or leadership team? If not, then the root issue might be your relationship with management, not just compensation. Building that relationship could make all the difference.
When negotiating, bring more than just an ultimatum to the table. Back up your request with solid reasoning—whether it’s industry data, personal accomplishments, or how you compare with your peers. For more insight, you can refer to an article I wrote on how to negotiate offers and raises. It’s available on our website and included in both the comments and the notes.
Now, let’s get to the heart of the issue: Using another offer as leverage isn’t just seen as negotiation. It can be seen as a threat.
Even if they counter with a higher salary to keep you, does that really address the issues you have with your current employer? Probably not. And worse, you might end up blacklisted for future promotions or opportunities. Trust is a big part of the workplace, and this kind of move could severely damage that trust—permanently.
For all you know, the moment you leave that negotiation, they might start planning your replacement.
At the end of the day, leveraging another job offer for a raise can backfire in ways you may not have considered. It risks your reputation and your long-term relationship with the company. So, when it comes to utilizing outside offers as negotiation tools, my advice is simple: Don’t do it.
Thank you for watching. If you find this helpful, don’t forget to like and subscribe for more insights. And as always, check out the free resources for both candidates and hiring managers we’ve put together on HCRC.us. Take care, and I’ll see you in the next video.
