How do I use a job offer I don't want as leverage?

[28thSept]

I'm awaiting a contract from a job that I've been offered, but don't want to take (I did want it, and when I first interviewed I was very keen but now I'm staying put - I was mildly unhappy where I am, but nothing drastic).

The new job would have paid me about 18% more which isn't insignificant - how would you (if you even would) go about using this as leverage with my current company to try and get a pay increase?

The jobs are broadly aligned, although the job I've been offered does have more involvement in client meetings, etc, although my current company aren't to know that.

I've never been in this situation before and I'm not really sure how best to go about it. I don't want to rock the boat at my current role and would stay here regardless, but I don't want them to know that! Any advice would be so appreciated.

It's a big risk

You could say to your current employer, I've been offered XYZ money from other company, will you match it???

Great if they do...but they may say ok, bye.

DH managed to do this and get a £20k pay rise. It depends on your role and the industry

All you can do is speak to your line manager and say you’ve been offered an alternative role.

To be honest it depends on the pay structure of the current company. They can’t just offer a load more money.

What’s stopping you going?

Write your manager an email setting out achievements and what you actually do versus your job role (hopefully the former is more than the latter i.e. the message is I have been smashing this) - requesting a salary uplift. There will be examples of suggetsed wording online if needed. Say that you have benchmarked your salary against external organisations and/or that you have an offer (if it's the same type/level of job) that pays 18% more.