Q & A Table of Contents
Playing Offers Against Each Other
From: China, New York
Question: The department I currently work for is creating a new
position in which I have expressed an interest. I have also been
interviewing outside of the department. I have just been offered a position
with one of the other departments I had interviewed with, however I would
like to use that offer as a way to counter my current department with a pay
raise or in obtaining a promotion (for the newly created position for which
I am qualified).
Response: You are describing a most attractive negotiation situation for
yourself. Through your efforts investigating other job prospects, you have
developed a strong BATNA (Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement).
If your current department wants to keep you, the existing job offer with a
different department means you don't have to acquiesce and accept what your
current department has to offer. You can tell the decision-makers that you
would like to continue working with the department, but that unless they can
make you a better offer, you have a better alternative.
While you don't spell it out in your question to me, I'm curious whether you
are troubled by your situation. You should not be. If you have acted in
good faith in attempting to improve your career, you have been acting in
your own best interests. By finding other possible workplaces you have
found a way of measuring your value that isn't based on your self-image --
or how your current superiors view you.
You have done a good job of preparing for your career's progress. I wish
you good luck and success.
Steve
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