“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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