discussing employment situation with boss

tkeaton

tkeaton

Master Velocipede Alchemist
Joined
Mar 20, 2005
Location
Chattanooga
I have a full time job in the industry that I want to be in. The pay isnt great, but the work is fun and easy and the people I deal with are great.

I also have a part time job, just for funsies and to keep myself occupied (out of trouble.)

The part time job offered me a full time position with a significant pay increase.

Should I and/or how should I talk to the full time job that this offer has been made? The two jobs are in non-competing fields and the mgt at my full time job shouldnt view this as a threat of me leaving or anything. The only reason I would bring it up to the mgt is to stimulate a bump in pay to possibly compete with the new offer.

Is this right? Should I say something to my full time employer? If so, what is the most tactful and effective way to do so? Again, I really like this job and dont want to risk a whole lot.....but then again if I can use this to negotiate a raise, then why not. Right?
 
First always remember to watch out for yourself.. no matter how nice people seem at a job.. 99% of them would can you if they had to..

second do you consider either of these jobs to be careers or just JOBS?

- if they are both jobs then it really does not matter which one you choose, and I would choose the one you like better..

- if one is more of a career then the other .. I would go with that one..

as for talking to fulltime job.. I would just ask your boss to sit down and ask for a raise.. if you go to him with hey I want more money or I am leaving I wil bet he will can your ass...
Shit I would can you if I was the boss. ( but I am an Ass )

you will be surprised if you just sit down and explain hey I really like my job and I do all these things, and I would like to get a raise al ot of times you will get one..
 
Neither are career positions, but the current full time job is in the industry I want to be in longterm. My current position is one that could potentially prove to be a springboard to something far better.

As for being canned from the primary job, it is very unlikely, given my role in the company. I have a fairly positive relationship with the company owner, whom I report directly to. However he undervalues my contribution, experience, education, and training. This is mostly because of his own lack in all four areas.

While I wouldnt bring this situation up with any hint of disrespect, I feel that if an unrelated company is offering considerably more, couldnt I use this as a "see what im worth elsewhere" kinda discussion? Obviously I wouldnt say that its either a raise or Im gone, but then again the owner is somewhat hardheaded and knows that his way is "best".

arrrgggh
 
The issue with bringing another offer into it is hard to guess.
I was in a similar situation, and I decided to leave. I went to my former boss, he asked me what were they offering. I was honest, and he came back beating the 25% raise I was getting from the other company with another 20% over that. (So 45% raise, and I would have become a director)
Part of me still kicks myself for not staying, but at the same time, my name would have been at the top of the layoff list. But on THEIR time, not on mine, (aka when I had another job)
They assured me that wasn't the case etc etc, but my paranoia won.

So if you are going to your current job, I wouldn't mention the other offer. Just sit down, explain to them why you need mroe money. Bring up you've been working a part time job, (not as much for funsies, as for "to make ends meet")
If they tell you to bugger off and you aren't getting anymore money, then well, you can then make your own decision.
But if you say you've got another offer, they could hold a grudge against you.
 
Ok lets call em job 1 and job 2 so were all clear... Job 1 is current job, job 2 is prospective job..... Im just gonna retype what you've said already... Making a pros/cons list is always helpful when comparing stuff... (4" lift vs 6" lift :D )

Job1 ----
Is current job
same industry you want carrer in.
Familiar with job/position
Potential for carrer stepping stone.
Good relationship with owner.
Undervalued, contribution, experience, education and training? (IMHO this is very typical of small companies he may not 'undervalue it' just can't/won't pay the premium price for it, or feels the small-ness of his company is a perk, and it can be)

Job2 ----
More $
Anything else ?


My questions:
How long have you been at job1 ?
Do you 'step up' when ever possible?
Take on extra work ? Stay late?
Depending on ?#1 Have you had previous pay discussions ? annually or just when ever?


My advise - Do NOT mention the new job to your current boss. Your current pay should be based on your contribution and worth at the company. Have a sit down and discuss that you think you need more $. I'd have a list of work you have done, positive results, possibly point out things he may not be aware of (always someone else to take credit for your work). Ask him about taking on some additional or more complex work/projects. Point out what you said about your training, skills, education and that your not being challenged. You have more potential and would like to use it to your benifit (aka more $)

He he says no, or at least not a positive response. I'd stop and think about it for a day or so...

Also, DON'T run in and ask for a meeting with him the same day.. Casually ask for a meeting, when he gets a chance, say you just need 10min over morning coffee...

As for being hardheaded, you may be surprised at what you can learn from him...

Good luck...
 
Id stay in a field I wanted to work in and get experience. I say this assuming you are young. If you aren't then ignore anything I've said. Then again I took a summer job 5 years ago or so in a field I had no want to work in. I still work in that field b/c I really ended up liking it.
 
I had the almost same senero
I was working for a very Small company and I was doing some very simple electronics repair and trouble shooting. The Owner of the company was also the chief and only engineer and he was working long hours doing stuf that I was way more than capable of doing.

I had a job offer working for my Inlaws and that job had some good growth potential.

I went to my boss and told him that I wanted to know what my future was at this company. I told him how I could do alot of what he was doing and be able to take some of the load of of his shoulders.

His response was "you were hired to do the job you are doing"

My response was " ok then I understand... Here is my 2 week notice.:flipoff2:
 
As it's been said before, what it all boils down to is you have to look out for yourself...

Then, look at it like this are you planning on "fishing" for more $$ from your current job? B/c from my standpoint that just looks bad on you.. If you want to take the other job give your notice and take it.. just dont say well if you pay me $XXXX i'll stay, etc.

EDIT: Let me edit that.. If you feel like you deserve more money in your current position bring that to the table prior to giving a notice, etc. BUT fishing for money (ie. you want to stay at your current job but Job 2 has offered you 10,000 more a year so you use that 10,000 as leverage) just looks bad in my opinion...
 
Just to add something b/c I went through this last year

I was working for a smaller company and got an offer from a large company which would boost the hell out of my career. I went to the smaller company and said "hey you guys want to match this offer?". I got a yes and told the other company sorry bla bla I'm happy where I am. Ended up getting a better offer from the larger company. While I got more $ out of the company I really wanted to work for in the first place I ended up looking like an ass and burning some bridges on the company I worked for at the time. Remember that everyone in the world knows somebody and at the end of the day all that really matters is what your name is worth. I got lucky and my original company went under 6 mo later but you could really screw yourself by playing games.
 
I wouldnt play the pay me more game.

Lay all your acomplishments out there, ask for a pay increase, job description, and promotion future.

If what they lay out there for you, doesnt overcome what the other place has to offer, ask for reduced hours, or give them your 2 week notice, whichever one you want to do.
 
Ok, I'm gonna have a different point of view.
Knowing the boss, liking the work, easy job are all nice benefits. None of which will pay your bills, buy you toys or add to your retirement. Sounds like you already work part time at the potential job. This gives you a huge benefit to the culture and work load of the prospect. How do you like it?
I would not leave a job I love for a job I hate, unless it was stupid money.
I would leave a job I love for a job I like for a reasonable amount.

All that said, I WOULD bring the other offer to your current employer, but only if I knew I was prepared to leave. You could ask for a meeting and ask about his future plans for you. If you aren't thrilled with the answer, explain that you have been forced recently to work a 2nd job, etc. and let him know that they value your services enough to want to lure you away full time, explain that your first choice would be to work for him, in the job you love, but that the money may make a lifestyle change you cant turn down.

Realistically there are only 2 acceptable answers here, either he offers more money starting now, or he declines. Do not stay for the "I am planning on giving you a raise to that level, but right now the timing/finances/situation isnt right" If you hear that bolt, it means, I dont want to lose you now, I need to stall while I find your replacement.
 
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