Should I tell my boss about job offer?

everlastingspirit

Ok so i've been in my current role for 3 years now. Ive kind of reached a point with it where its just not doing anything for me anymore - sort of loosing the passion! I'd like to go into a more IT skilled role than Customer Service based (I'm good at both!).

Anyway I applied for a job elsewhere for a more technical based role and flew through the process. After 2 interviews they offered me the job, having researched online the average salary was between 30-36k (outside London). However they only offered me 25k which is the same as my current salary. Ignoring the increased travelling costs (just over 1k per year) i still feel this is lower than the market value. I tried to negotiate up but they wouldn't budge, although say they want me on board.

I accepted on the phone to give myself more time - as I already asked for some during negotiation and just had the letter today.

Meanwhile at where I am working I was hinted to by my manager's manager (director) that there would be a new client coming on board and asked where i wanted to be in a years time quoting a few roles including the one i applied for. It seems this is near 100% going to happen. I expressed interest but didn't say about my impending offer.

My thoughts are due to travel, change, lower then expected salary and gut feeling, I'm going to turn the new job offer down.

However my biggest thought at the moment is should I mention the offer to my current employer. I don't want them to think I'm being disloyal, but i also want them to know that i'm wanted elsewhere and was even offered the role i will apply for internally should it arise (and actually that i'd actually turn it down to stay).

I know the saying is not to mention an offer unless your willing to leave but i'd like to get opinions here! I'd be telling my manager's manager as he isn't around. I have a pretty good professional relationship with him if this makes a difference.

Thanks for any advice.

patman99

Mention nothing until you get the final offer and have made your mind up to leave.
You might find that the salary they have offered you turns-out to be a starting salary and as you prove yourself, it will rise (I used to work for a firm who started everyone in production on £6.75 p/hr (the advertised rate) but as they completed various training, the rate would rise.

Tahlullah

As a manager, I would question why you were telling me. Are you looking for me to beg you not to leave? No one is irreplacable. Is it so I can offer you a pay increase? I'm not about to do that, unless you are irreplacable.

If you want to apply for a new post, good on you and the best of luck in the future. But trying to get me to pay you more by pitting one against the other will not work. Either go, or stay and don't mention it as it could cause difficulties based on how they interpret your news.

marlot

You've shown that you can land alternative job offers.

This one isn't right for you. Keep looking; there will be others.

Nothing to stop you discussing your current package with your employer but I see nothing to gain by saying that you have an alternate job offer - especially as it's one you don't intend to take.

I never make counter offers. If people are dis-satisfied enough to look around then they will probably leave anyway.

Gavin83

What is the job you are applying for out of interest? In other words what IT work will you be doing?

Undervalued

Tahlullah wrote: »

As a manager, I would question why you were telling me. Are you looking for me to beg you not to leave? No one is irreplacable. Is it so I can offer you a pay increase? I'm not about to do that, unless you are irreplacable.

If you want to apply for a new post, good on you and the best of luck in the future. But trying to get me to pay you more by pitting one against the other will not work. Either go, or stay and don't mention it as it could cause difficulties based on how they interpret your news.

Yes that is one way of looking at it and I would take a similar view.

However, not everybody does and plenty of people have managed to get pay rises by playing this game.

Obviously nobody is irreplaceable but some managers would rather find a bit of extra money to keep a good member of staff rather than have the risk and hassle of finding somebody else.

BoJangles_2

everlastingspirit wrote: »

Ok so i've been in my current role for 3 years now. Ive kind of reached a point with it where its just not doing anything for me anymore - sort of loosing the passion! I'd like to go into a more IT skilled role than Customer Service based (I'm good at both!).

Anyway I applied for a job elsewhere for a more technical based role and flew through the process. After 2 interviews they offered me the job, having researched online the average salary was between 30-36k (outside London). However they only offered me 25k which is the same as my current salary. Ignoring the increased travelling costs (just over 1k per year) i still feel this is lower than the market value. I tried to negotiate up but they wouldn't budge, although say they want me on board.

I accepted on the phone to give myself more time - as I already asked for some during negotiation and just had the letter today.

Meanwhile at where I am working I was hinted to by my manager's manager (director) that there would be a new client coming on board and asked where i wanted to be in a years time quoting a few roles including the one i applied for. It seems this is near 100% going to happen. I expressed interest but didn't say about my impending offer.

My thoughts are due to travel, change, lower then expected salary and gut feeling, I'm going to turn the new job offer down.

However my biggest thought at the moment is should I mention the offer to my current employer. I don't want them to think I'm being disloyal, but i also want them to know that i'm wanted elsewhere and was even offered the role i will apply for internally should it arise (and actually that i'd actually turn it down to stay).

I know the saying is not to mention an offer unless your willing to leave but i'd like to get opinions here! I'd be telling my manager's manager as he isn't around. I have a pretty good professional relationship with him if this makes a difference.

Thanks for any advice.

It is a shame that this new opportunity at your current employer is way down the line. I would agree with others, don't tell unless you are willing to take the job as it could backfire but I also think that had timings been better it could have been used to your advantage. Another option is to take this job and hope to reapply for the new position further down the line. If you are a good employee this might work in your favour financially.

piglet25

You might not have to worry about telling them if they get a reference request. . .

Fireflyaway

I would either take the job or not mention it. If they think you are looking elsewhere you might get overlooked for promotion in the near future. Unless the new offer has something other than money to offer - some good training / qualifications or is a prestigious name to add to your CV, there seems little point accepting if you are happy where you are.

everlastingspirit

For those interested i declined the job offer but didn't say anything to my current employer. If the position doesn't come through or i don't get it i will look around again.

Had a call from the company that made the offer now as sent email to politely and professionally decline the offer - they just want a conversation to discuss so i guess i will just be honest about the overall situ.

Thanks all for helping me with this decision.

ShAnE

I was in a situation where a company approached me, I mentioned it to my boss and went for the interview. Came back and told him what I had been offered, he took this to the owner of the company I worked for and they came back and matched the offer I had received.

In reality I wasn't going to leave my current company for the new one, but in my current companies eyes, the extra £X,XXX a year they would have to stump up was worth more than the hassle they would have trying to replace me (it would be hard to replace me, but it could be done if they wanted too).

Assuming you're not in an entry level position, I see no problem in having a discussion with your boss (assuming you trust them), outlining any offers and why you are considering them eg: more IT focused, more money, better career progression. As it's likely that your boss will want to try and help you move to a more IT focused role, earn more money etc than see you leave and then have to spend time and resources on your replacement.