How to use 2nd offer to improve 1st

[Marcia Brady]

I have an offer from a good place, but the offer is a little low. The only problem is that I asked them to raise my salary a bit and they didn't budge.

I also have a forthcoming offer from another place that is not as high on my list. The first place told me to let them know if I had any other offers (meaning they might reconsider if I have an option of going elsewhere).

Here is my question: Do I let the first place know the specifics of the offer made by the second place (e.g., name of institution, proposed salary, etc.), or do I just tell them I have another offer and would like them to raise the salary a bit in order to seal the deal?

Short of forwarding the second offer to the first place, how much info is reasonable to withhold?

[herbivore]

I don't think that you're obligated to tell the 1st institution ANYTHING about the 2nd (salary estimate, name, location, cost-of-living). In fact, I was instructed NOT to do so by my advisors.
I was in a similar situation, and got my preferred school to increase their salary by basically saying "I've had another offer but I would prefer to accept the position at your institution, however, I have concerns about the salary..." Hopefully that will open up the dialogue in a polite, but straightforward way.

Best of luck!

[NotYetEmployed]

Speaking totally out of my arse, as I do not yet have one offer

I agree you should tell your preferred school that you have another offer.
I would also add, if/when you have that conversation, something to the effect of,
"Now, I know we talked before about salary. If you are able to go from X to Y, I can accept this job right now..."

Something like that anyway,
YMMV

[Barry Williams]

I was in a similar situation as well. In the first round of negotiations I didn't disclose any details of my second offer.

The first offer was improved but then the Assoc Dean requested to see the other written offer. I complied, saying this was just an opening salvo and all was still under negotiation.

However, in retrospect I regret not redacting the salary info in the letter before I sent it. I can understand why the dean might want “proof” of a second offer but I probably should have kept my cards closer to my chest. Live and learn I guess.