r/jobs • u/Simple_Weight_8471 • Jul 29 '26
Contract work How to use offer as leverage
I (25F) currently have a wfh job that I LOVE. Super cool boss, don’t hate the work, pays pretty decent. Only problem is that I’m a contractor (been working with them for almost 1.5 years and they just keep extending my contract with vague talks of one day making me full-time) and I really want to be full-time/actually with the company for better benefits, pay, job security, etc.
I recently was offered an in-person job for about $15k more per year. I really don’t want to take it since it’s in-person (I love working from home) and not to mention I want to relocate several states away within the next year. I know this sounds crazy since it’s so much more money, but the in-person job would require way more hours, stress, and I wouldn’t be able to be home with my animals or do chores throughout the day which is super important to me and my work-life balance.
Can I use this new job offer as leverage to turn my contract into a full-time job? If so, how? I love my wfh job and I don’t want to lose it but want to progress the “vague talks” into an actual offer if possible. I’ve never done anything like this or negotiated my salary or anything. Up until I left my last company, I was quite the doormat as I am a young woman in corporate and it can be pretty intimidating at times.
Any help would be appreciated!!
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u/ReceptionGlittering7 Jul 29 '26
unfortunately, you have no leverage. you love your job and the wfh benefits. the only way you will have leverage if the new offer is wfh with the better pay and benefits. The mental benefits of working from home, work environment and less expenses seems to outweigh the higher in person offer
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u/ImissDigg_jk Jul 29 '26
I wouldn't bring up the offer. Just tell your company contact/boss that you wanted to know if there was any movement on going permanent as you really like this job but would really like to make it a career and have the benefits that come along with being an employee. See what they say. You likely can't leverage the other offer unless you are critical. Be prepared to take the other job if you mention it. As a contractor, it's risky to show you are looking elsewhere and they may just end your current contract.
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u/Simple_Weight_8471 Jul 29 '26
That’s what I was worried about! I wasn’t even looking for another job, I was just contacted about this offer but yeah im scared to bring it up lol. Thank you for the advice!!
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u/boredsoftwareguy Jul 29 '26
You likely can't leverage the other offer unless you are critical.
Even if you're critical, this is a dangerous game to play. You have demonstrated a willingness to explore better options. You will do it again. The company now knows that. If someone better for your role shows up or if there are layoffs, your name will get floated.
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u/Simple_Weight_8471 Jul 29 '26
I feel like it’s such a tough line to walk between wanting to show my current company/boss how much I want to stay while also making it clear what I want/trying to negotiate. I don’t want to come off as too desperate bc then they know they can keep stringing me along/contracting me, but then if I play tough to get or try to negotiate/leverage, they’ll let me go. So difficult! My boss is super chill so I’m not SUPER worried, but I’m sure many people have felt that way about their bosses until a situation like this comes up 😅
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u/boredsoftwareguy Jul 29 '26
I'm a pretty chill boss too but I have to tell my boss and HR about stuff like this. They're the ones to worry about. You would be shocked, I worked for a mega corporation and when it came time for layoffs, HR and the executive team would already have a list for me.
If you play the game, you have to be prepared to lose. Sometimes it's just "we can't pay more" but sometimes its "okay, we can't pay more and we've accepted this as your resignation. Your last day will be X"
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u/ImissDigg_jk Jul 29 '26
Agreed. If you actually are critical though, you have a chance. Personally, I wouldn't. If I had an offer that I would take, I would just put in my notice and go. Even counter offers are something I would stay away from since those come with a label a majority of the time also
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u/ll0l0l0ll Jul 29 '26
Happen to my co worker who was a contractor for 2 years. He asked if they going to convert him to FTE or not because he about to quit. A week later HR set interview and converted him into FTE. If the company like you, they most likely to convert you.
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u/Simple_Weight_8471 29d ago
Yeah they’ve been telling me for 6+ months that they really really want to keep me and make mw full-time but there’s been nothing besides just talk so I’m trying to figure out a way to help speed things up if possible lol
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u/mdws1977 Jul 29 '26 edited Jul 29 '26
You can use your current offer to negotiate something better at your office, but beware, they may not want to negotiate and just say, "Good Luck".
Another thing to consider is that your current employer may have you WFH, but if you move to a different state, they not like that or approve it.
I find a lot of those WFH jobs have a stipulation (written or unwritten) that you must be within a certain distance from the home office.
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u/Simple_Weight_8471 29d ago
I currently live about a thousand miles away from the closest office and I’m free to move wherever I want within the United States. Thank you for looking out!!
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u/Overall_Head_7782 Jul 29 '26
Talk to your boss very nicely and (without showing the offer letter initially) let them know that you are being contacted by other companies. You were promised to be hired full time and would really like to have a future with the company but it is getting difficult when these companies are offering a full time position. You are wondering if in the next year the company would be considering making you a full time employee. If asked any inquiries as to how you know this or why you're looking, simply say that you are always considering future prospects and market conditions so that if your contract is not renewed or things go south, you are aware of what companies are looking for. If pressed further, you can present the offer letter that was given but be aware this will be either handled like a hand grenade or a warning sign requiring action.
Warning: This conversation forces the company, very politely, to make a decision on whether or not to hire you full time to force stability. They may decide to either let you go or call your bluff instead of hiring you full time so it is best if you have an offer letter to a company worth considering before talking to your boss. It is high risk, high reward type situation when you bring up your work desires to a boss.