Would you take this job? ($75k vs. $125k)

[TSE]

Current job:
-Designer for small consultancy for 10 months. Love my boss and coworkers and projects. $75k + ~$5k bonus. Health insurance, but terrible plan ($12k deductible!), 401K with no match, 2 weeks PTO

Offer on the table:
-Designer for big corporation. Liked the people I interviewed enough for me to consider. $65/hr W2 through recruitment firm (Lines up to $125k per year working 40 hours a week). Full-time promise. 7 month contract with "likely renewal" in contract (I believe it, I did my research and see it's normal for designers at this company to find out soon after showing competency that their contracts are indefinite), better health insurance, 401K with 2%, full vested match after 6 months. At-Will with no written promise of hours.


Both fully remote.


What would you choose?

 

[DaveSanDiego]

Seeing as how you stated "Pros" for both, and only "Cons" for your current, I'm thinking the "offer on the table" is a no brainer and wonder why you are even hesitating

 

[KaliYoni]

What would you choose?

Personally, it would depend on my medium and long term career and personal goals. If, say, I was focused on building out my personal brand and portfolio, I might prefer working directly for a company where my contributions would be visible and outcomes were clearly attributable to my efforts. Or if quality of life and emotional factors were a priority, I could be less open to changing a happy situation to one I feel ambivalent about (asking strangers may be a sign of that, ha ha).

Here are two articles I've found useful when thinking about career stuff:

Mulling a Career Pivot? 3 Things to Consider

Knowing your own motivations can help you successfully transition to a new role or industry.

insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu

Stop Hiring for “Cultural Fit”

When you prioritize candidates you “click with,” you run the risk of discriminating against candidates from different backgrounds. Here’s how to change course.

insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Current job:
-Designer for small consultancy for 10 months. Love my boss and coworkers and projects. $75k + ~$5k bonus. Health insurance, but terrible plan ($12k deductible!), 401K with no match, 2 weeks PTO

Offer on the table:
-Designer for big corporation. Liked the people I interviewed enough for me to consider. $65/hr W2 through recruitment firm (Lines up to $125k per year working 40 hours a week). Full-time promise. 7 month contract with "likely renewal" in contract (I believe it, I did my research and see it's normal for designers at this company to find out soon after showing competency that their contracts are indefinite), better health insurance, 401K with 2%, full vested match after 6 months. At-Will with no written promise of hours.


Both fully remote.


What would you choose?

Why do you want to leave a boss you say you love?

Remember the old saying: "People don't leave jobs, they leave bosses."

 

[Ethosik]

Why do you want to leave a boss you say you love?

Remember the old saying: "People don't leave jobs, they leave bosses."

Not necessarily true. I have loved all my bosses and have switched jobs many times.

 

[TSE]

Seeing as how you stated "Pros" for both, and only "Cons" for your current, I'm thinking the "offer on the table" is a no brainer and wonder why you are even hesitating

That's a really good point. I think my heart knows it's time to move, but my brain also knows the risk it is to jump to a new company, especially under the circumstances of how many lies recruitment firms say to meet their quotas.

Personally, it would depend on my medium and long term career and personal goals. If, say, I was focused on building out my personal brand and portfolio, I might prefer working directly for a company where my contributions would be visible and outcomes were clearly attributable to my efforts. Or if quality of life and emotional factors were a priority, I could be less open to changing a happy situation to one I feel ambivalent about (asking strangers may be a sign of that, ha ha).

Here are two articles I've found useful when thinking about career stuff:

Mulling a Career Pivot? 3 Things to Consider

Knowing your own motivations can help you successfully transition to a new role or industry.

insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu

Stop Hiring for “Cultural Fit”

When you prioritize candidates you “click with,” you run the risk of discriminating against candidates from different backgrounds. Here’s how to change course.

insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu

Thanks, I'll read those now.

Why do you want to leave a boss you say you love?

Remember the old saying: "People don't leave jobs, they leave bosses."

My thoughts on this are that there are plenty of good bosses out there, and I want to leave on good terms and even offer to contract for them.

Not necessarily true. I have loved all my bosses and have switched jobs many times.

Yep. A concern of mine is I haven't ever touched a full year at a job - but in the design field I feel that's super normal.

 

[cardfan]

Not necessarily true. I have loved all my bosses and have switched jobs many times.

Best way to get raises. I’ve never viewed people as “bosses”. Always knew I’d be partner soon anyways or have my own firm. Be your own boss.

 

[AJK13K]

Why do you want to leave a boss you say you love?

Remember the old saying: "People don't leave jobs, they leave bosses."

Is you “love” worth 50 grand and a better 401’?

 

[MacGizmo]

The fact that you're talking to another company to the point that you've received an offer from them tells me that you are absolutely not happy where you're at and are ready to move on. So stop wasting time and just leave.

 

[pshufd]

How are the benefits with the contracting company? Is there an option with the company directly? There can be a lot of costs for contracting that wouldn't be there for a big company.

 

[Nhwhazup]

Current job:
-Designer for small consultancy for 10 months. Love my boss and coworkers and projects. $75k + ~$5k bonus. Health insurance, but terrible plan ($12k deductible!), 401K with no match, 2 weeks PTO

Offer on the table:
-Designer for big corporation. Liked the people I interviewed enough for me to consider. $65/hr W2 through recruitment firm (Lines up to $125k per year working 40 hours a week). Full-time promise. 7 month contract with "likely renewal" in contract (I believe it, I did my research and see it's normal for designers at this company to find out soon after showing competency that their contracts are indefinite), better health insurance, 401K with 2%, full vested match after 6 months. At-Will with no written promise of hours.


Both fully remote.


What would you choose?

Take the offer on the table. Leave your current job on good terms and with a notice so not to burn any bridges. Work hard at the new job so they can’t afford to not renew your contract or hire you on as regular.