Ask HN: Unsure about upcoming tech interviews
Let me preface this question by stating that I'm speaking from an incredibly privileged position, especially given the current job market.
I started a new job about a month and half back at a great medium sized startup in a "Tier-II" city. The compensation is great, the team great, the work fantastic so far and the company very solid. Really, my only complain is the city where I am in, which while not terrible, is lonely, since I have no friends here, and the below average public transport means I don't have access to much of the city. This is my only gripe with my current situation.
A few weeks back I was contacted by a Bay Area company recruiter about a nice sounding role, in a team that does work in an area vaguely related to my area of interest. The pay is slightly higher, the title nice sounding, and is in the Bay, where I have plenty of friends as well. The role does not excite me as much as what I'm doing now though, and honestly the company+Bay are contributing the most to my excitment. I had a preliminary round of meetings with some potential future team members, and they are excited about my skillset, albeit also acknowledged that my skills are at the very best, tangential to what I'd be doing if recruited.
I'm unsure about what to do. I feel like I should see this opportunity through, but at the same time preparing for the interviews will take a lot of effort and preparation, and in turn away from current work and down-time. In the past, I have, briefly, pursued ideas for their sole vanity, and I have struggled with it.
Should I just tell the recruiter/team that I've decided on a different path? The Bay Area company is great, and I'd love to work with them in the future, maybe in a role more aligned with my interests, so I don't want to leave a bad impression either. I'm reluctant to leave my current company because I have pretty much the freedom to define what I want to work on, but with the downside of being in a not so great city and also not being a Bay Area company. I feel like I'm missing out...
I'd love any perspective here. I haven't been in this situation ever, and would appreciate any advice or words of caution.
Thank you HN!