I'm pretty torn between whether now is the right time to leave my current job or not. For what its worth I'm 31, so although I'm losing 5 years or so if I start again (which right now feels like a lot!) that's set against hopefully quite a few more years of working..
Current job - Have given up a lot to stay in this job, the last year or so has been a nightmare. However it seems like that could be about to end. Feels like what I have been through will be for nothing if I do leave. Have been having a lot of issues with management but think immediate manager is fundamentally a good person. Have great colleagues. Used to genuinely love the job and the employer until the issues in the last year or so, and part of me thinks I might be able to get back to enjoying it like I used to. Its a high pressured job, and part of me feels like if I leave I will have "failed" and shown myself not able to cope with the pressure others are. Have worked in this area of specialisation in my 5 years since qualifying. Have built up quite a bit of knowledge in that time, but it has begun to feel like I'm being less challenged than I would like. Does have a lot of opportunities for advancement but you need to be willing to work insane hours. Not sure its really worth the payoff.
New job - Around a 40% pay cut, but would still be a liveable amount. Would be at 80% of my current salary within 2 years (public sector so pay is quite defined). Would be going back to newly qualified level and starting in a different area. Fairly certain its an area I would also really enjoy, and it uses a lot of the same soft skills as my current area of specialisation. The idea of working in a new area and being properly challenged again excites me. Once I get my foot in the door, its likely to be quite a secure job. Significantly better work/life balance than my current job, but also still some opportunities for career development. The job is not likely to be an opportunity open for long, so if I don't go for it soon then that option will close. Due to the nature of the area, public sector is the only employer likely to be hiring for the forseeable future, so its not likely other opportunities will arise any time soon.
Any thoughts? I think I might be prone to staying in current situations longer than I should. However really feel sad at the thought of leaving my current job, but simultaneously excited by the idea of the new one (albeit the pay drop isn't ideal). I'm torn between whether I should go for this opportunity and would regret not doing so, or whether its a case of the grass is always greener and I should stay put and build on the significant work I've put into my career over the last 5 years. Hard to speak to anyone in my sector for advice as all the senior people I know well enough to approach are either in my current employer or good friends with my manager (as we both previously worked for the same employer before this one).