Pretty happy but underpaid currently. A decent agency approached me about a senior position that would almost double my salary. Don’t really want to work there, but want to make more $$. Any advice?

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Take it lol

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This question gets asked a lot. At lower salary bands the difference even a $10k difference is enormous to quality of life. The more your salary rises, the less that small jump matters. You should never leave a place for a lateral move financially. In my experience if the raise is almost double. You HAVE to take it. If you are well liked at your current job and haven’t burned any bridges you can boomerang back at the higher salary if it’s not working out at the new place.

People who say ‘don’t chase the money’ are generally already at the level where it doesn’t matter or in the rare case of not needing it. I’ve rarely heard anyone say that doubled their salary ‘Dang I should’ve stayed at the old place’ they usually say ‘Dang this new place sucks I can’t wait for my next opportunity’ but you don’t go back down in salary.

likesmarthelpful

You have to know what you are going into.

I think about agency culture (Is it a place where you genuinely enjoy working) career opportunity (can you do portfolio-building work and is there room for growth) and salary (are you being paid fairly for your skill and experience.)

If you are at a place where you have all 3 then you should never ever leave. Don’t go to a place that only offers one.

I’ve always had 2/3 and mixed it up between which ones depending on what I needed at the time.

likesmarthelpful

Let your correct employer know that you got another offer for double your salary and ask for the same raise. Make them BELIEVE you are considering taking it.

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Here’s my advice: Use it for leverage only if you’re seriously considering taking it. It worked for me in the past, but I know some agencies see matching another offer as a way to keep you a little longer until they can find your replacement (because it’s obvious you’re considering making a move).

Just make it clear when you ask for the raise that the agency you’re considering reached out to you, and you would prefer your current agency, but may not be able to afford to turn it down for financial reasons.

All in all, a culture fit shouldn’t be underestimated - it can be the difference between making incredible work in a place you love and waking up every day full of dread. But I’m sure there are places out there that will be both a fit culturally and economically.

Best of luck!

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Never chase money.

likesmart

You could be playing with 🔥. Make a decision, stay or go but using other offers (is it confirmed?), will open up discussions you might not want to have. Are you ready to walk if they say good luck to you? Perhaps it would be a good time to cut you loose and find someone cheaper Will it put a target on your back if you stay? Perhaps your managers are professional however.

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If you are happy where you are, you’re not under paid. You are in a sweet spot. This whole “underpaid” thing going around is messing with people’s heads and self confidence. Keep going and making work, getting better. Don’t compare yourself to others or listen to the chatter. You are you and are very much appreciated for your optimism. There is nothing wrong with asking for a raise, but don’t bring up the words “I think I’m underpaid”. Tell your boss how happy you are! Be the bright spot. Believe me.

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Totally agree Ogilvy. The Venn diagram of "I tell people not to chase the money" and "my parents paid my rent until I was in my thirties" is pretty much a perfect circle.

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I’d like to find a way to turn this into a raise at my current job ideally

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I agree with everything here. If you actually like where you are--people, clients, everything--that is worth quite literally more than you know. You could go to this other place for the money and hate it...then youd really be stuck because of the whole golden handcuffs thing.

You do have the option of trying for a raise at your current place. But its a gamble--if you tell them its double the salary they probably cant match that. And if you tell them you really want to stay, well, now they know they dont really have to give you anything.

I dont know what Id do honestly. But if the place is actually cool, maybe you can have an honest talk with your boss and they'll volunteer to bring it up with the powers that be.

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I would say you’re either way underpaid where you are or the other agency has to throw money at people to get them in the door. Agencies that overpay generally have issues. Either culture or creative quality. You also don’t want to end up in the cliched “golden handcuffs.” I would research salaries for your position in your market and see which agency is paying you closer to the average. It also matters if the new offer is in another market with a higher cost of living.

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Tell us your salary and the offer and then we might actually be able to help you

smart

Again, I think the ultimate goal would be to leverage this offer to get more money at my current job, even if it isn’t a full match. Does anyone have experience with this approach?

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I doubt your current agency is going to come anywhere close to matching another offer that's twice your salary. :/

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If you are truly NOT considering the second offer then to me it is less about leverage. You’re playing a game.

Your current agency may say, go ahead and take it. If the new agency catches wind of what you’re doing, they might be pissed.

If you feel you should be making more at the current job and want to stay, go make your case to your CDs. Based on your merits, contributions and wanting a salary which is competitive. Using another offer to get what you want may backfire.

If you have a bona fide offer from the other agency that means you arranged to be out of work to interview, invested time in them and they invested time in you - why do all of that if you’re not serious and were only doing it for leverage? You will certainly burn a bridge at the new agency.

Someone in my group did this recently and while I thought this person was strong, i wasn’t devastated to see them go. They also did not realize that I had a wish list of recruits, and this allowed me to hire someone I really wanted. This person used the offer/higher salary to try to negotiate more money and I recommended they take the offer.

Depending on your relationships at your current place perhaps you can make his work but I would be very careful.

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I agree with ECD1. You might end up with a result you don’t want. Are you prepared to actually walk?

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Never bluff unless you are willing to follow through. Again, you’d be surprised how much getting twice your paycheck can help you enjoy an agency.

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Take it and start planning the next jump

Never move for money

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