CareerCloud: Kate Thora

When deciding where to look for your next job, there are a lot of factors to think about. Choosing the kind of company that you want to work for is a big one. Should you go for a large corporation and be a tiny cog in a big machine? Or should you go for a small company and potentially be a big fish trapped in a small pond? These pros and cons should help you out.

Large Corporation Pros

One of the great benefits to working for a large company is being part of something bigger than yourself. You might end up working for a household name, which looks great on your CV and also impresses the people that you meet. It’s also easier to work for a larger company like this because the products sell easier and there’s not as much pressure to market them. They probably have their procedures set up in the best possible way already, and can offer bigger packages in terms of the benefits that you get – including potentially a higher salary. If you wanted to move house, you will probably find that they have more than one location, so you can keep your job even when you go to a different part of the country.

Large Corporation Cons

There is likely to be a lot more resistance to change in a large company. If you want to get things done, you might find red tape and slow progress getting in your way, so you won’t be able to do things the way that you want to all the time. You might also see less job satisfaction because it is easy to imagine everything carrying on just fine without you. There’s usually less of a personal feel to the workplace, and you will be just a number to the company – you won’t know everyone, and everyone won’t know you. You might start to feel as though your job is pointless, especially if that red tape is getting in the way of everything that you try to do.

Small Company Pros

Your role is likely to be more flexible in a smaller organization. Each employee will normally be expected to take on a variety of responsibilities, which will allow you to develop your skill set further and will also prevent you from getting bored. You will see the direct results of your efforts on the company, which gives greater job satisfaction, and will enjoy the work environment more with a close-knit team. You also have quicker opportunities for progression – most of the time. Most people find it more fulfilling to work for a smaller company, especially if it is one that appeals to their ethics or passions.

Small Company Cons

However, sometimes you might find that there is no career progression because the company is too small to offer promotions. Your salary may also be smaller because of the lower profit margins. This isn’t always the case, but is certainly a consideration. If you get something wrong or don’t pull your weight, you will also be spotted and singled out very easily, because of the small size of the company. Additionally, if you don’t get along with someone, it will be that much harder to avoid them.

The difficulty in choosing between these options lies in the fact that there are pros and cons for both options. You can also see companies which don’t fit into these moulds as well – large corporations that are fun to work for, and smaller ones that aren’t. It’s down to a personal choice what you go for.