Many of us are happy with our current jobs, but a little bump in salary would usually be nice. What would you do if a headhunter called out of the blue and offered you a position at a different company--for more money? Would you be tempted to use that job offer as a bargaining chip for a raise or promotion? It's a risky move, but one worth looking into... carefully.

The first thing you need to do is decide how appealing the new job offer is.

How much better is it than what you have now?

Would you seriously consider leaving your current company and starting over with a new employer?

What would need to change in order for you to decline the new offer and stay where you are? A promotion or raise? More responsibility?

Before you talk to your boss, decide what you want, and what you're willing to do if you don't get it.

If you really don't want to leave, don't pretend you do just to negotiate a raise. Your boss may call your bluff! Just explain that you received an unsolicited offer that you are not seriously considering, but which has prompted you to want to discuss your future.

If you are undecided about whether to take the new job or not, discuss the possibility with your boss in a noncommittal way. You might say, "I have been contacted about a new opportunity, and I'd like your advice on figuring out what's best for my future."

Discuss the terms of the other job, and what you're most interested in--the salary, other benefits, more responsibility, etc. Give your boss the opportunity to make a counteroffer, but do not threaten to leave if this doesn't happen. No one responds well to blackmail.

Keep this in mind--even if your bargaining efforts are successful and you get what you want and decide to stay, your boss may now have a lesser opinion of you. Your loyalty may be in doubt, and even if the negotiation process was very nonthreatening, your boss may resent having to go through the process at all.

Consider the consequences for either outcome before you use a job offer as a bargaining chip!