Amazing Job Opportunity vs. Content at current role dilemma?

Career/Job Offer advice

Hi Reddit, I find myself in a lucky (?) position where for the first time I was headhunted/contacted directly for a position. I know there's mixed reactions/reviews with recruiters and this is my first interaction with one. I think for the type of work, it's not usually headhunted? Or more so, I guess I reached a certain level of experience, where I'm in a small pool now, and can be "in demand". So I'm trying not to get too ahead of myself, and also reigning in my expectations. At this point, I'm all "big eyes and Wow", but I'm also thinking, work safety, mental health, work life balance. Things that you can't put a dollar sign to replace. I have a linkedin profile, and though I'm not actively looking, I've always been "open" to see new opportunities. Who doesn't want 'more'? In terms of career progression, professional growth, prestige, accomplishments/recognition and of course. Money.

Perhaps this is a great dilemma to be in. I feel I have nothing to lose but at the same time, everything to lose.

For the first time, I'd say I am happy in my job. I progressed and really moved up (in the role capacity I'm in), I'd say I've reached the epitome of it. I'm not going to speak highly of myself and what I do, I am an EA/PA/Coordinator/Glorified Secretary. But I do my job well, and it's a complex role. I support the #1 and #2 in my organization of 700+ employees. I may just be a personal assistant, but I do anything (and with that...everything). Unlike the traditional job - lawyer, doctor where it's easy to see prestige and what they do, I always felt my role never carried much "oomph". If you're good at what you do, no one will notice, but you get the job done. If you're bad at what you do, you're incompetent, and easily replaceable. Anyways, long story short. I'm a PA and I'd proudly say, a pretty damn good one. I have a Degree in Business, and did some pre-masters certification (I'm not necessarily in a rush to go for an MBA or Masters in general), I have nothing to prove, but I've done some courses here and there, whilst working my way up.

I like my bosses and respect what they do and stand for. And I feel they recognize what I do, and appreciate me and I'm pleased to say I really like the organization, culture, people and the values. But at the end of the day, it's just a job, right? I don't own them loyalty, even though in a way I feel like I'm "betraying" them by even entertaining the thought of leaving. But I know in the end, we're all replaceable.

The new position being offered (which of course I still need to go through the motions of formally interviewing for) - I'd say the biggest "sell point" is.

Money Prestige / Brand name recognition I recently got a salary review, so in a few months my yearly salary will be $93k. When I was approached by the recruiter I wanted to be very upfront, for me to even consider any move, I'm looking at least a 20% bump. Frst of all, I thought I was being ridiculous. In the role I do, I'm already considered in the high salary range. I asked for such an amount, kind of assuming that I'm asking too much and they'll drop me, and then boom decision making dilemma solved. But the recruiter got back to me and said they can meet that, and said salary with bonus (my current role doesn't have a bonus), I'd be earning $117k yearly. I'm not gonna lie, when the recruiter nonchalantly replied to me (rather quickly) in what seemed like "oh, that number? That's not a problem, we can do that".

I had two reactions:

Damn! I should've asked for more Omg, I can't believe I'm that employable to even get to make "salary demands" Never in my life have I ever thought I'd ever be in a position, where I'd be earning that sort of money. I've worked my way up, and job hopped in my earlier years before settling in my current role (where I've been at 8 years now), which was a selling point to the recruiter. Longevity. I've just accepted whatever increment came my way, and promotions (total 3) I got along the way, grateful for whatever came my way. I've never been in the position where I go to say "I want more money". So it's new territory for me, but it also made me very reflective on my competency and capabilities, and though I feel I do my job well, I know it's not for everyone. You really got to be an all rounder and flexible, and manage the shit whilst also faking it a lot of the time. Anyways, going way off topic. Basically it's made me realize, the work experiences I have and the skill sets I've gained, I'm..... in demand????

I work in private education K-12 level with 700+ employees supporting the #1 & #2. This new role would be a university role with 3500+ employees supporting the #1.

Daunting. I know.

At first I thought, I'm not qualified for this. But then I realize, on paper. Hell yeah I am. I could do this. That's why a recruiter reached out to me, right?

So yeah, that's my dilemma.

So I pursue this? For essentially more money, prestige, experience of this scale. Or stay where I'm at, where I'm comfortable, but know where I've essentially "peaked". I've hit the highest I could go, and I've hit the highest I can go "salary scale" wise. I don't think I will have many opportunities like this, so I'd be silly to not consider it.

What worries me is... "i'm comfortable". I recently bought a house, I have a mortgage now, the current role I'm in, is essentially what they call an "iron rice bowl". I'll have this job for life (if I want it), job security is there, I like the people, culture, work life, I get 35 days off a year, and I'm familiar with everything. A new job is starting new, and being a noob at an environment all over again. That's daunting to me.

Financially, I feel I can get by staying put. Sure, who wouldn't want more money, I can buy nicer things, have a more cushy life, but I can make do with what I have now. Jumping to this new role would:

1. for the money 2) for the prestige 3) for the prestige and potential growth

But that said, I feel a EA/PA if you're good at what you do, no one wants to move you/get rid of you. There's no moving up. To me the only way to move up is just this. Money. Prestige.

Even though I shouldn't let my emotional/personal attachment/loyalty to my bosses, who I feel have really supported me throughout my entire tenure, I feel I'd be betraying them leaving. But I also get, no one is here forever, they would leave eventually too.

My worry is let's say I jump, I leave, take the new job and nice paycheck. What if I hate it? What if I suck at it? What if there's no long term prospect for it, was the larger pay check worth it for the short term? I'm looking for long term employment, stability, familiarity.

So yeah, that's where I'm at. I think I described in quite long detail all my dilemmas and though process. I don't want to ask friends because most of my closests friends are all colleagues, so I know they won't be able to give me an unbiased opinion. So here I am Reddit, asking you, someone who doesn't know me, reading about this dilemma, I'm asking....what should I do? What would you do in my shoes?

Thank you for listening to my speech, haha, I know I wrote a lot, but wanted to put it all out there, so the full picture is there. I'm genuinely really unsure what I want. And what I'm willing to do.

If I had to go with my (stubborn) gut. My gut...my "right now" answer? It says, stay put. Why change for uncertainty. I'm comfortable now. I'm happy where I'm at. I can pay my bills okay. I have good work life balance, and my mental health now is in a so much better place now with my role. I worry, I'm jumping into too much unknown just for money/prestige. But at the same time, I worry I'll regret not taking it too.

AHHHHH! Like I said.....dilemma huh?

At the same time, what should I be asking the recruiter?