[djmcmath]

Yeah, it's a terrible job market, which makes employers happy because they can get a lot of cheap labor.

One thing I know does not work: DO NOT say that you have a job elsewhere unless you actually do. Even if you do have the other offer, be 100% ready to go take the other job -- I have never heard of a boss responding to that with a desperate "Oh, no, I'll pay 10% more than they will, please don't go!!!"

I've heard a number of stories of guys just walking in and saying they weren't happy, as in, "Look boss, I like working here, and it's a good gig, but I'd really like a small raise. I've added value in area A, B, and C, and I'm taking a lot of new responsibility in these other three areas." Be prepared for rejection, but at least you're not making an ultimatum.

I've known a number of guys who have gone in saying "I'm indispensable, so pay me more or I'm leaving." Remarkably, one of those actually got a pay raise that way, several times. But then, he was the only one who knew anything about the system on which he worked, and management was dumb enough not to hire someone to replace his arrogant (and mediocre) a$$.

I've also known a number of guys who left their jobs for a pay raise. That's a serious thing. If you work from home, get to ride your motorcycle to jobs, and have a lot of autonomy, maybe it isn't a bad job. Maybe you'd get paid more somewhere else, but ... maybe you'd have a 2 hour commute, have to wear a suit and tie, and sit in a windowless cubicle. I left my last job for a lot of good reasons -- mostly for professional growth -- and the pay raise only confirmed my decision to move on. I got the growth -- I'm definitely doing bigger and better things for smarter people now -- but the pay raise wasn't life changing. Just sayin': think it through, that's all.

Best of luck, let us know how it comes out for you.

Dan