Monday, 3 March 2014

Choosing to work for a small or large company




“Should I work for a small or large company – what is right for me and my career?”


In today’s competitive job market, some of us may dismiss this question as unimportant as we often prefer to prioritise getting any job offer that comes along. However, corporate size does matter when choosing which company will help you and your career the most, the size of a company can provide great insights into the kind of work environment you’re going to be working in. Both small and large companies come with their own pros and cons, and selecting which is right for you will depend on your personal and professional preferences, values, and goals.



Here are five elements that distinguish small and large companies, some of which may help you decide which one fits you better:


Resources


Large companies win a clear advantage over small companies when it comes to resources. Generally speaking, large companies have greater amount and access to financial, capital, and human resources. This means that larger companies have better abilities to invest in new ideas, support the research and development of new products, finance employees’ professional development, and provide higher financial incentives for their employees. In contrast, small companies tend to have more limited access to resources, pushing them to utilise their available resources wisely, efficiently, effectively, and creatively.


Structure, protocols, and systems


In large companies, there tend to be more established structures, protocols, and systems in place. As such, if the organisation defines and organises these structures well, the minute you walk into the organisation, you should have little difficulty figuring out your role and responsibilities, as well as how things normally work in the company. Conversely, small companies tend to have less structure. This may facilitate flexibility, communication, and decision-making processes as there are less people to go through.


Business agility


Business agility refers to the speed at which a company can respond to changes in the business environment. Due to the large amount of resources that large companies need to manage, they tend to lack agility. Major changes often need to be run through multiple levels of executives and therefore cannot simply be made overnight. Small companies, on the other hand, may be able to get the wheel running at a faster pace. Communication processes are generally simpler in smaller companies, allowing for swift decision-making.


Visibility of your success


In a big company, being one out of the hundreds (or thousands) of employees in the company means your successes may be less visible to your colleagues and bosses unless your position is high up and your accomplishment is immensely significant. In comparison, your successes tend to be more magnified in small companies, and everyone across the board is more likely to recognise them. This makes small companies a great environment for those who are looking to establish their skillsets and abilities, build reputation and credibility, and gain references.


Advancement opportunity


Large companies are more equipped to provide you with set advancement opportunities. This is simply because there are more roles to fill in large organisations than small ones, and thus, if you are looking to get ahead without having to move companies, working for a large organisation is for you. This being said, smaller companies can allow employees to expand their responsibilities within the same role without formal hassle, making it simple to try new areas and build on certain skills.


Hopefully the above list helps you to decide which environment suits your personal and professional values and goals. Think about the pros and cons of each, and what would enable you to achieve your long-term professional goals instead of the short-term ones. Remember, while the characteristics of a small vs. large business are often very different, it's important to be objective about how each organisation you come across relates to your goals. So regardless of the size be sure to stay open minded and ask questions!


Need career advice? Get objective advice on your potential future career choices with CareeringAhead™

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