I turned down an interview today

[DaveJ]

I just turned down the first interview offer I've had in over 5 years for a job in my field. I don't know why. The company seemed fine, small, but perfect for what I wanted to do. I talked to the owner. He said it paid quite a deal more than what I was making now. I don't know why I turned it down. It was also closer to home. Would have cut my commute almost in half. I told him it wasn't a good time, that I was distracted by another project at the moment. In truth I think I'm like a prisoner who's afraid to leave prison, or maybe scared of rejection once I get to the interview. I don't know. Five years of applying for software engineer jobs without a single response, then I get one, and it's real and legit. I didn't know how to react. So I turned it down.

[nickshepDEM]

1. Are you secure in your current job?

In the current climate, I cant blame you for not wanting to take a risk. Its just not worth it really.

[DaveJ]

2. I am, thanks for the encouragement

Yes my current job feels really secure so you're probably right. The interview probably would have been a waste of time anyway. But it's just weird how I didn't know how to react when being offered a real interview for the first time in 5 years. Well either the market is heading on a positive direction or it isn't... that's probably the main determinant.

[Nikia]

3. I don't turn down interviews

I figure that even if I don't want the job that it is good practice so that I can be prepared for a job interview for a job that I do want.
The only time that I did was when they called me the evening before and told me that they would like me to interview at their hiring event all day the next day. It was multi step and include group scenarios with the other candidates. The event was a 2 hour drive away and I had work the next day with stuff going on.