I already have a pretty good job but I always keep an eye out for other higher paying positions. I found one and applied a few weeks ago, went through 3 rounds of interviews and got an offer that is about 30% more than my current salary. I work in IT.
I had a meeting with my boss and his boss and let them know that I would be leaving if they could not match the offer.
I found out today that they are matching it! This will be the second non-negligible raise I've gotten via “threat” of leaving for higher pay (with proof showing I can)
It felt so good to decline an offer from a huge company that could have easily wasted my time and selected one of the others they were interviewing. They did not seem too happy about it which I found ironic.
Just a reminder: Never stop looking for new jobs even if you like were you are at. Nothing but good will come of it besides maybe a little wasted time. Interviewing for a new job while you already have one really makes it a lot less stressful since you aren't really banking on being chosen and it will then give you ammunition to show you are worth a raise.
I just thought I'd share.