Does Size Really Matter?

Having worked with candidates from large international companies as well as small SME style companies, many often want to make the switch.

Whether you are starting off in your career or have already started, you have to consider many aspects when you look at new roles. Initially, the role and responsibilities will be the most prominent aspect to consider. The second biggest aspect would be the type of company that you want to look at, whether it’s Media, Banking or Construction, and the size of company.

Why focus on the size of company when you are looking for a new job? It’s often an aspect that’s easily over looked and you want to make the right move for you and the company needs to make the right move for themselves.The size of company can have a massive impact on what you do in your role. The overall working environment and the potential for you to advance your career in a firm is vital for you to take into consideration. Environments can be vastly different from company to company, and working all day, five days a week, in the same office means that you need to be comfortable working there. After all, no-one wants to go to a job that they hate and feel awkward in!

So, how do you decide where to work? Have a think about your personality and how you work and communicate with others. Some people find it far easier working as part of a small team in a quiet office opposed to a big international company with 100 staff just on one floor.

Sometimes small companies can offer employees lots of flexibility and give them plenty of chances to get involved with projects, but the career progression might be slower. You might find that there is more structure in a larger company and lots of opportunity to progress into more senior roles but decision making might be slower because there are more people to consider. It’s not to say that either one is better than the other, it’s to find out what environment will pull the best out of you and the company. Working at any company is a partnership between the employee and the company and vice versa, and it should be a supportive one. Consider the level of exposure in accordance with what you want to do, that you are gaining in each role and company. Is it enough to keep you interested, or do you need something with more variety? Do you want a lot of progression or are you happy about where your career is at at the moment?It’s a lot to think about, and there are lots of advantages working in small to mid size companies as well as larger ones. But just like buying a pair of shoes, it’s not just about the look, it’s about the fit.