<prompt> Human: Ive been working for a tech company for three years; its my first job out of college. Several weeks ago I gave my boss a list of things Im accomlished this year and asked for my salary to be brought to market level. The salary I asked for is, percentage-wise, quite a bit higher than my current one 55k to 70k, but I do believe since I came in as a fresh college grad and have gotten average raises since then, they are now clearly underpaying me. Not to mention that the company is doing very well and a 15k increase will barely affect the budget. My boss said theyll look into it, but seems to think that theyre paying me a fair market wage based on online salary surveys. Since titles in my industry vary hugely from company to company, I personally dont put much value in those salary surveys. I recently, without much effort, landed an interview at another company. Im now in the later stages of the interview process and have a very good idea of the offer theyll make, based on what the recruiter has told me and what Ive seen on 70-80k. Apart from the money, I really like my current job and very much want to stay here. Is this is situation where I can gently bring up the outside offer, to show that the salary surveys are just plain wrong? My boss and I have a good relationship although Im not sure he can move mountains to keep me - is this a situation where I could bring up the outside offer without it being perceived as an ultimatum?  <response>: Dont get a job offer if you arent serious about traking it. If you are serious about taking it, take it. Ive rarely seen good things happen in the long run by leveraging a job offer. 