As some of you know I currently make video games for a living, which is a lot of fun, but the hours and the pay suck. I've worked for the company for nearly two years and have never gotten a raise, even though I'm practically leading the current project I'm on (I'm so far ahead on my work that I've been told to spend more time helping all the other programmers then working on new stuff, and the engine team comes to me when they have questions instead of going to the actual lead). I've asked for a raise twice in the past two months, the first time I was told to wait until our next projects contract was signed, so I did, and the second time I was told it's not a good time for anyone to be getting raises. And so I've been applying to various jobs in the area.
On Friday I went into a job interview which I thought went pretty well, and yesterday I got a phone call (which I missed) and on the message they told me they thought I was the one for the job and they want to make me an offer. I called them back today and they asked how much am I looking for, I told them essentially 50% more then what I'm currently making. They paused for a moment and replied, "We're going to pay you more then that." They made an offer 75% more then I currently make, plus full benefits (I currently have no benefits), stock options, and a guarantee to re-evaluate my salary in 6 months time.
I had planned on telling them I'd think about it and ask my current job for a raise one more time, but an offer like that was just far too good to pass up. I'm now going in on Tues morning to find out the specifics and actually sign the offer agreement, and then give my two week notice to my current job. I'm not going to be making videogames anymore, but the new work looks so challenging that I doubt I'll miss it too much.