I have a friend who has been trying to recruit me to his company for a while. There is a job opening there that is pretty much what I do now. Within the pay scale of the new job, my current salary is the minimum. So there is potential of about a 25k pay increase. And the company does up to 20% year end bonuses.
Cons:
I am one year shy of the experience needed, and have only been with my
company for 2.5 years. I am afraid that is too short and will look bad
in terms of future employers. And I just got back from maternity leave and would feel bad about leaving.
My commute would be longer.
I am pretty secure in my job now.
Pros:
Potentially more money.
I will probably end up there eventually, but was originally planning on
waiting another couple years so that I have more experience within my
job.
Interwebz, please help me make important life decisions?

Re: WWAFSBCND HR edition
If you interviewed, got the job, and turned it down (or even just withdrew during the interview process) would you be burning bridges? (I did that at my current job and didn't burn any) If not, go forward see what happens.
If you would burn bridges, think hard about how you would feel if you had to give your current job notice in two weeks.
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I think it would only look bad if you have a history of jumping around to jobs. If you took this job, you'd have a valid reason for leaving. Plus which, if you stayed with this new company for a long while, the time you spent at your current job wouldn't really matter.
P.S. I saw your stepdad in court yesterday and almost asked him how you were doing with being back at work.
Mod, that is what I want to find out. I think I might call my friend over there to pick his brain a little. Because if I were offered my current salary, I would decline.
I would feel bad about giving 2 weeks notice, but I don't think that would ever change. All my projects are up to date enough that I wouldn't kill the team, and my employees would be able to continue on with the projects they have been working on. I always feel bad when I leave a job.
Cali, the benefits are better, commute time would increase by 20 minutes.
For less then ten cents a day, you can feed a hungry child.
Ha Kay!
He is rather loud.
For less then ten cents a day, you can feed a hungry child.
You sort of answered your question there. You can quit. (I interviewed for a job 8 mos ago and in the middle of the interview I started thinking about giving notice to my current company and panicked, clearly I wasn't going to quit.) So if you could interview without burning bridges, go for it.
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If I were a man (or fitty) I'd totally call my penis THE WIZARD - HappyTummy
I agree with what Kay said about the appearance of switching jobs too frequently. If it's not a pattern, don't worry about it. There's no harm in moving out to move up.
As for the maternity leave, I would feel bad to, but not enough to let it factor into my decision. I learned a long time ago, when a former employer sabotaged my job search after I turned down a job offer and stayed with her for an extra few months at her request (and promise she would help me find a new job after), that no one's going to look out for your best interest like you will. Everyone else has their own agenda, and so you have to do what's best for you. As long as you don't think it would harm your reputation in your field for leaving, don't let the maternity leave keep you from going.
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That is a good point Fallin. The company gave me no paid leave, but I feel bad for my team and I have no idea what issues the kid will being up.
I think I will call my friend and ask him how often these jobs come up. I wouldn't feel bad in a year, about any of it. The companies benefits blow mine out of the water, but I would feel more comfortable demanding the salary that comes with the job after a little more time.
For less then ten cents a day, you can feed a hungry child.