Corp. Recruiter keeps calling - what to do?

[BriarfoxinWA]

I work in Banking and my job happens to be very specialized and one that none of the banks are training for anymore. So as others are getting older and retiring - there are no up and coming youngster's to take their place. At 38 I'm the youngest in my position in our whole region.

So my problem is that this corporate recruiter keeps calling me with potential job offers at other banks! (I guess maybe I shouldn't be calling it a problem ) I'm really happy where I'm at - have a great boss and get along great with my co-workers - we just have a super team of people. At the moment we're the top producers in the region even though we are the smallest team!

I don't know whether I should continue to talk to the other banks or not? I'm really not looking to move...but...I do know that I'm paid much less than the men that my boss manages at his other office. In fact when I talked to the recruiter on Friday I told him my salary requirements would be at least $10,000 more than what I'm making right now and he didn't bat and eye. He even said the other bank would pay a "premium" to get the right person.

It would be stressful to move - the new bank always expects you to bring most of your customer base with you...so what happens if I don't? And I have my DS who will be going into high school - so that means a car in 2 years and college in 4. The money would really help (might even mean more trips to WDW )

Any advice??? I'm really torn and I know that you guys are great at coming up with ideas I hadn't even thought of!

 

[chell]

Maybe you could use this to get a nice raise at your current job. Explain to your boss that you have had a wonderful offer, but you love your job and want to stay there. Maybe?

 

[ripleysmom]

I would explain that the corporate recruiter has been calling you and giving you some numbers that are very hard to keep turning down. Explain that you like your job but it would appear that you are being very underpaid given your skillset. Tell them that you would like a $10K increase and see what they say.

 

[Pin Wizard]

I was going to say...give the recruiter a figure and tell him not to call unless it's met. But you've done that, and he didn't bat an eye. I'd say raise it!! You can obviously get more. If I were as happy somewhere as you appear to be, it would take $$$ to get me to move. Like you said...you don't know what you're going in to compared to what you have. Then I would explain to the current boss what's being offered and see what he/she says.

 

[Tiggeroo]

You need to walk a fine line here. You should talk to your current boss and leverage it into higher pay, if possible. But you should always keep doors open to recruiters. In this climate you never know when you will need one. So you look at his offers, tell him what it would take to get you to make the switch, and at least consider the offers he sends you. Remember though that recruiters work on commission. And frequently they talk like sales people.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Thanks for the ideas. I figured if the other Bank comes back with an offer in writing I'd show it to my current boss. That way he'd know I wasn't making it up. I know that the guys in his other office make at least $10,000 or more than I do - but with the way our budgets have been the last couple of years - I'd be shocked if the boss could get approval for that kind of raise for me. They would be in serious trouble if I left. I'm the only commercial lender in the office and I supervise 3 others (although according to my job description it's not my reasonsibility and I have no authority if anything serious comes up). My boss is located 1 1/2 hours away from our office and although we talk every day on the phone he only comes to our office once every 3 months or so.

So I think I'll see where this offer leads. As suggested, if I get an offer letter I'll take it to my current boss - along with my "demands" (aka..what I'd like to have happen in order to stay - not just money - but they really should make me an Asst. Manager). Of course I guess I have to face the possibility that he won't do anything and I better be prepared to take the other offer....

I wouldn't be so torn if I didn't really like the people I work with...maybe I can take them with me

 

[janette]

Often it's people who stay at jobs that tend to get behind the market in the salary range. Do you have set salary ranges for your job at the bank? Where do you fall in that range, it sounds like you're in the bottom and should be able to get a raise. They'll have to take into account what it would cost to replace you, changes are they know they can't for the same $$ they are paying and will at least make an offer. It's amazing sometimes that they can find money in the budget when they need to, don't let them tell you they can't do it because it's not budgeted. At least they should be able to come up with a plan to get you to market value gradually if they can't do it all at once. They should be able to give you the proper title right away.

I once did something similiar, found out that a new hire that I was basically training and had responsibility for was a grade level higher than I was, the also meant a big $$ difference. Told my boss I wasn't happy and that I'd expect at least that job grade if they wanted me to take responsibility for the job tasks. They could give them to him if not. I got the raise and grade change.

 

[Lewski709]

I think you should be prepared to give your notice at the same meeting you ask for more money. People don't like their hand to be forced and that's exactly what would be happening by telling them you've been propositioned.

Either you like it there well enough to stay for less money, or you don't and you should leave.

I don't mean for this to come across as cruel at all. I just don't think they will give you $10k because someone else may.

Good luck. I think you are thinking of your family and how helpful the money would be and I know how stressful moving is and all. But hey, variety is the spice of life.

Consider the cost differential of moving....wherever it would be....before talking to your current employer. Get something solidified, in case you need to give notice. If the cost of living is higher in that other place, maybe it really isn't worth it afterall.

Job satisfaction is very important and it sounds like where you are you are fairly happy. Remember, the grass always seems greener on the other side.

 

[zaxmom]

I completely agree with Lewski, I would have a definite offer from a company, not just a recruiter before going to the current boss. Tell them how much you were offered and what it would take to make you want to stay there. Tell the boss you feel a sense of ownership where you are at, but you have to pay for college soon and need to do what is best for your family.

Don't trust the recruiter, make sure you interview with someone from the actual company. You are interviewing them as well.

Sorry to but in here, but it was an interesting topic!

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

I don't plan on talking to my boss until I have an offer letter in hand. It does help that the president of the other bank used to be my manager many years ago. This other job would also be closer to where I live and would cut my commute from 30 minutes to about 5...

I actually did get a salary grade level change within the past month. Problem is it doesn't make any difference until next year - then they will be able to give me up to a 5% raise depending on my performance.

I think with an offer letter in hand I'd be pretty successful in getting a substantial raise. I have a good relationship with my boss and with our regional manager. My leaving would be a serious blow. While they have individuals in the other offices that could take over my clients - none of them are located within an hour drive of our office. We've (me and my business development officer) have been extremely successful adding new business in the last 2 years - to the point where many of the upper executives in the bank have noticed. I know that everyone can be replaced - but it would be a big blow to our regions bottom line if I left.

Thanks everyone for all of the help. I'm supposed to meet with the regional manager of the other bank on Wednesday for an interview. I guess I'll just keep my options open and see what happens.