Offer, Counteroffer

Guess what? In the past couple months alone, I’ve been approached at least four times with inquiries about my interest in opportunities outside TheLadders.

Is it crazy for me to share that information with you, publicly, on the very editorial space my employer provides me? I don’t think so; at a certain point in your career, it’s a given that folks will know your name and likely think of you when jobs open up.

In each of these cases, I gave the caller a sympathetic ear and some useful names from my address book. (Even before I joined a company dedicated to the effort, I established a solid track record as a corporate matchmaker, and colleagues know they can come to me for good leads.)

But what happens when you’re ready to get serious about other opportunities? Where’s the line between networking and job hunting, and how should you handle an offer from another company if you’re considering using it to advance your position at your current employer ?

In this package, reporter Kevin Fogarty tackles those questions and comes back with a solid list of negotiation tactics that will put you in the best position without burning bridges. Interest from a potential employer should always be a good thing, if only as an ego boost and opportunity to extend your network . Be careful to observe etiquette and think a couple steps ahead, and sometimes it can also enhance your bottom line.