juggling job interviews inside and outside of company

[Case]

I apologize for the complexity of thus, so thanks if you make it to the end:

I am interviewing for jobs both inside my company (large corporation) and with other companies.
I am looking for advice on how to successfully interview and not shit in my own bed:

I have an upcoming interview (highly likely) in a group that is very close to my current group (within current company).  I want to interview but not piss off my current group by leaving; I am going to tell my current manager "I like current group, but this other group seems like it might be a better skill set match").

I also have gotten contacted by some recruiters from different companies.  I want to give these things a shot to see where they will land.

To complicate things further, my wife works in the other group (within current company).  Therefore I have a little bit of leverage to get the job at the other group, but I also am nervous they'll think I'm taking advantage of them if they discover I am interviewing elsewhere as well.  Since the other company is in a different location, my wife and I have to both secure jobs in the new location.

The ideal situation is that I interview quickly with the other company (if it gets to that point; talking to recruiter right now), get an offer, hopefully get things lined up for wife, and then have negotiating power with the new group (within the same company)... so that I can maximize potential salaries from either of the new groups. 

Any suggestions from the more experienced job surfers??? 
What I want to avoid is pissing people off.

[birdiegirl]

The best way to avoid pissing people off will be to keep everything about your search & interviews to yourself.  Don't share with anyone internally or externally that you are considering positions elsewhere.  You want them to know you are interested in their company/group and then you'll just have to see where it goes from there. 

Don't stall or keep anyone waiting for an answer because you're trying to play them off each other or because you think something better is coming.  Take the interviews as they come and then see if you get any offers.  If you do, respond promptly and professionally and there will be no reason for anyone to be upset. 

[Case]

The best way to avoid pissing people off will be to keep everything about your search & interviews to yourself.  Don't share with anyone internally or externally that you are considering positions elsewhere.  You want them to know you are interested in their company/group and then you'll just have to see where it goes from there. 

Don't stall or keep anyone waiting for an answer because you're trying to play them off each other or because you think something better is coming.  Take the interviews as they come and then see if you get any offers.  If you do, respond promptly and professionally and there will be no reason for anyone to be upset.

I would think getting counter-offers is the best way to maximize salary potential, but I guess maybe your point is that comes with the inherent risk of pissing off the employer?  I had been hoping that my workplace could treat it professionally if it came to that point. 

[birdiegirl]

Nothing wrong with countering an offers.  From your post, I just got the feeling that you were looking to setup a scenario where you have multiple offers so you can use them as leverage to negotiate.  Again, nothing wrong with that but the timing may not workout, so I'm just saying don't play games and stall your response to an offer trying to make this happen.  This is especially true for an internal position, they will almost certainly be expecting you to accept right away.