[JeremyNT]

> You're describing the fake breakup. Where you tell your girlfriend/boyfriend you want a break, then let them talk you back into the relationship.

Oh no, you tell them before you start looking that you feel like your TC is too low based on your contribution. You don't threaten to shop around, you just tell them your skillet has value beyond what they're offering.

It goes like this: either they come back with something to make you happy and everybody is satisfied, or they don't and you start applying.

But people don't always give employers this chance and just start applying first. Then when they go to leave things get weird with counter offers.

If you think your job sucks and you're ready to move on, there's no reason to bother with this approach. But if the only reason you're thinking of moving on is to increase your pay, it never hurts to ask first.