We’ve all heard of the big ones. Google. M&C Saatchi. IBM. And to some extent the hype is real; these big names can be a huge boost to a young person’s CV.
But what about the little players – the start-ups and burgeoning enterprises pushing through at the bottom of the business fishpond? Working for a start-up has never been cooler, but it’s not for everyone – small and large companies make for very different employers.
The question is, which one suits you?
Are you an evangelist or an escapist?
Of course, we all want to feel like our work means something. But what if we don’t believe in the service we work forty hours a week to provide?
Unfortunately, that may be more likely if you’re working at a larger organisation. A recent Gallup poll suggests that those who work at larger companies run the risk of feeling less engaged with their employer’s mission. A Dale Carnegie study offers similar results: while 36% of employees in smaller businesses report feeling ‘fully engaged’ at work, only 29% can say the same of large-scale corporations.
If you place great importance on synchronising your job with your values, then start-ups can be easier to work with. A start-up is by nature a more flexible and liberal environment, without the history and conservatism of a larger establishment.
Do you want to climb the ladder or grow the beans?
Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time? Are you the kind of person who needs physical evidence of progression and a clear goal to strive for? Maybe larger companies are for you.
Being a small fish in a big pond – or a junior employee in a large company – offers visible goalposts. You benefit from superior training as well as a clear and climbable hierarchy. They also tend to have more physical sites, meaning that employees at global corporations could move halfway across the world and never have to change employer!
By contrast, working for a start-up requires self-belief. The position you’re striving for may not exist yet, so you may have to work harder than elsewhere to create a promotion for yourself.
Rewarding work or decent perks?
There’s a common stereotype that start-ups pay their employees as little as possible. While an understandable one, it’s also not entirely true. A recent survey showed that early-stage employees tend to consider themselves amply compensated by their young companies. So while the average pay is probably lower, it’s not necessarily less fair.
On the other hand, nobody can argue with the perks offered by large-scale companies. That tiny little tech start-up isn’t going to be offering gym membership any time soon, and it’s also probably got no meaningful HR department, little legal support and potentially fewer people to fight your corner if things get tough. If you like your perks generous, or to know you’ve got a safety blanket if things aren’t going so well, micro-enterprises may not be your bag.
Wanna dress fancy or stay focused?
No, we’re not talking about dress codes – although those do tend to be more lenient in a start-up environment!
In a start-up, a lot is said about the many ‘hats’ one has to wear. Specialisation is rarer, meaning that employees must demonstrate many skills across the board. Sales and marketing may be handled by one person; analytics, accounts and data by another. While brilliant for developing a holistic understanding of business and a wider range of skills, it can be tiring to juggle multiple balls.
That’s why, if you prefer to specialise in one particular field, you may be better off at a larger company. You’re more likely to grow and improve in your chosen sector if it’s all your job description demands.
What’s your preference: the fast lane or slow gains?
Start-ups have less red tape. It’s just how it is. When you lack any kind of HR department and official protocol, it’s easier to get stuff done.
Have a great idea for a marketing campaign? Get it going. Got a deal ready to be clinched? Get it in writing already. In the small world of young enterprise, it’s perfectly possible to walk into a room and change an entire strategy over one day of meetings. In fact, research shows that both founders and joiners of early-stage start-ups demonstrate a strong preference for autonomy and risk.
Not so for the corporate worker. No matter how fantastic your idea, it’s unlikely to be implemented if your position is comparatively junior. Even if you’re in a position to shake things up, it can be weeks or months before the bureaucracy inherent in a large-scale operation gives your plans the all clear. Like to move fast and independently? A large company may not be for you.
Deciding where to apply for your first job? Bear in mind your natural work style. Whether you’re the perfect company executive, or a brilliant loose canon, there are chances for growth in both environments. Know thyself, and the rest is easy.
Written by Susanna Inspiring Interns is a graduate recruitment agency. To browse graduate jobs, visit their site.