Is it better to work for a small or large company? Many job seekers are skeptical about choosing a certain size of the company while looking for a job. I have collected some thoughts from IT specialists on this subject. It is a real help as recruiters to talk to candidates about the assumptions they have made about a current or prospective employer. Recruiters can assist candidates in choosing between the possibilities of the market.
People’s decisions are influenced by many factors, such as location, age, career level and industry. If someone prefers a corporation at the beginning, they might feel better in 10 years in a more intimate environment offered by a small company. What I have observed is that the transition or change between these two environments can sometimes be difficult and there are many problems with accommodation at the beginning.
People mentioned to me the following advantages and disappointments:
1. Large companies:
The interview for a large company is oriented towards ticking all the boxes for the technologies required
An employee is only a number
Colleagues are not interested in what happens in other departments
More interaction with the team and not outside the team
Managers work sometimes from different locations
Weekly meetings to keep up-to-date on company news and projects
Complex decision paths
Gain experiences only in specific areas
Fewer ways to make a change
Flexible working schedule
Home-office possibility
Higher salary
Competitive benefits/pension scheme
Better career progression
2. Small companies:
The interview for a small company is culture-oriented and often longer and more difficult
The employee is an individual
Colleagues are interested in the entire company's assets
More interaction outside the team
Managers work right next to you
The company news and projects are discussed in a non-formal way, mostly by word of mouth
Fast decision making
Gain experience in more areas
More opportunities for change
Less flexibility
No home-office possibility
Lower salary
Lack of benefits
Less career progression
As for me, I have worked for small and large companies and at that moment they seemed to be the perfect choice for me. But that's just history because I’m not an employee anymore.