July 2006 ISSUE
Small Company, Big Company:
Which One’s Best for You?
Editor’s Note: The following article is tailored from notes from Ginny Nicholson, CMA, APEGGA’s former Manager of Administration and Human Resources. Although Ginny has moved on to another position, we’ll continue offering her insight on job hunting as space in our Careers section permits.
Big company, small company — each has its own pros and cons. This choice comes down to a matter of personal choice and what values and goals you take to the job.
But perhaps you don’t know enough about each kind to make that decision. The following list of small companies’ usual workplace qualities should help.
The Good About Small
You get better experience at multi-projects, and at being all things to many
people at once — very good foundation for any career.
Tend towards true empowerment — small companies do not have the resources for everyone to do only what’s in the job description.
Each employee’s actions can make a more visible difference to the company’s
successes or failures.
Those who shine really shine. Successful employees stick out.
You tend to get a true feeling of entrepreneurship, which is another outstanding foundation for any career.
You may get an opportunity for sharing in the profits or ownership.
What About Bad?
Small companies are frequently resource constrained, so they may not have
the latest equipment, technology, training funds, etc.
They are less able to weather market bumps, so job security is usually poor. Small companies go belly-up more frequently than larger companies.
Salaries and benefits are generally lower than at more established and larger companies.
What About Big?
For larger companies — reverse the pros and cons above.
However, plenty of larger companies these days have are doing their best to bring the small-business ethic of opportunity and recognition to the workplace.
That means if you get into a well-managed and progressive large company — which many of them are — most of the “pros” above apply.
Overriding Consideration
In any job, if you happen to get a boss, a supervisor or a manager who is excellent,
try to stay put for as long as you can, regardless of whether the company is
big or small. Learn how that person operates and why you like working for him
or her, and then use those lessons to build your own career.
Soon enough, you’ll be on to bigger and greater things, no matter what size of company you’re working for.