[Schneed10]

After I graduated college I got an assistant financial analyst job and was in it for a year. My bosses weren't communicating anything to me with regards to how I was performing, so I started interviewing. I posted my resume to Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com, and got scheduled for an interview somewhere. My employer's search on Monster picked up my updated resume and HR notified my boss. She called me into her office, said she noticed my resume was out there, and asked if I was happy and if this was the job I was looking for. I said actually I do like what I'm doing here, but I'm not sure how well I'm viewed, and I put my resume out there just to see what opportunities there were.

A week later she gave me a promotion with a 25% raise. I'd say it worked out.

Sometimes employers need to know you're a flight risk; that's often the catalyst for them to take action to retain you. You have to be careful though. You can't just walk into their office and threaten to leave. It's best when you have another job offer in hand, and then they can counter.

Taking your employer's counter can be great. You get to stay where the people know you, know your work, know your reputation, and you stay in a place that you're likely comfortable.

Some people say well if they really liked you, they would have promoted you before another opportunity even came along. That happens no matter where you are. Sometimes, there just needs to be a catalyst in place to make a promotion happen.