Every company has its pros and cons, and if you — like millions of Americans — are searching for new employment, you‘ve likely spent some time envisioning what each opportunity represents. Maybe you’ve weighed private sector vs. public sector, corporate vs. nonprofit, established vs. startup.
There are a lot of variables to mull over, and one of the biggest considerations is the actual size of the company. What are the pros and cons of working for a large enterprise (let’s say 30 employees or more) vs. a small business of about 3-10 employees?
Working for the Big Boys
As the founder and CEO of a major SEO firm with more than 50 employees based in Los Angeles, Seattle, India, Argentina and throughout the world, I’ve witnessed firsthand the ups and downs of managing a larger business. There are definitely some major advantages to joining a sizable team.
For starters, you have tremendous room for growth. With different departments and positions and an ever-expanding hierarchy of roles, the sky’s the limit. You may start out as an intern and work your way up to a high-level management position. Also, there’s something truly exciting about being part of a large team with so many different pieces to the puzzle.
But, of course, it’s not all promotions and team projects. There’s also a definite downside to joining a large team. Some people just thrive in smaller group environments, and that’s okay. With larger teams, there tends to be a greater amount of politics, and if you’re the quiet type, you may find yourself lost in the shuffle with many of your day-to-day contributions overlooked. For larger teams, I’ve found the more assertive types tend to have the greatest success.
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How to Flourish in a Large Company
Whether you consider yourself an outgoing, take-charge kind of worker or a thoughtful introvert who likes to keep to yourself, the same rules apply for succeeding within a large company. If you want to get the most from your experience and make a bold impression with the suits upstairs, you’ll want to incorporate the following practices into your everyday work life:
- Be a leader, not a follower. It’s so tempting to just sit back and let your more assertive (or more brown-nosing) colleagues call the shots and make the life-or-death decisions. But if you want to get noticed and win the respect of your peers and superiors, you need to demonstrate that you have ideas and you’re not afraid to push for them.
- Make an effort to connect with your boss. When you work as part of a large company, it’s sometimes easy to avoid the managers altogether and remain quietly cocooned in your unsuspecting cubicle. But this is always a mistake. If your bosses can’t even remember your name after 6 months, not only will you be overlooked for valuable promotions and raises, but you may be viewed as expendable if the company ever decides to lay off workers.
- Be the first person to arrive in the morning and the last person to leave in the evening. This doesn’t mean you should arrive at 6:00 a.m. and remain at your desk until the cows come home. It just means you need to demonstrate the kind of commitment your coworkers lack. Large companies are highly competitive, and thriving in this environment requires more than simply doing a good job. You need to set yourself apart from the pack.
- Avoid disputes like the plague. When you join a large company, you may notice that, sadly, the environment can become a lot like high school. Workers will stab each other in the back, spread nasty rumors and even form alliances and rivalries. If the drama has nothing to do with you, just stay out of it. And if you do become the target of juvenile behavior, don’t retaliate. Take the matter straight to Human Resources and demand a civilized conflict resolution. If you let the bad eggs drag you down, your standing with the company will suffer just as much as those who initiated the conflict — maybe more.
Working for a Smaller Company
As I’ve mentioned, if you have the kind of personality that flourishes in a small group environment, then that’s definitely the way you should go. There’s a longstanding myth that small groups can’t accomplish the kinds of major feats that large teams are capable of, but that’s just nonsense. One of my SEO clients, Best Aprons, employs only three people, and they’re one of the leading apron retailers in the country. For them, the small group dynamic works beautifully because they’re always on the same page and they all have an astute understanding of each other’s strengths. No one gets left behind, and they’re always striving toward the same end.
There are, of course, challenges that go along with working for a very small company. For starters, you have to consider why the company is so small. Is it because they can get the job done with very few people, or because they haven’t been successful enough to hire an adequately sized team? Do your homework and find out. If the latter is true, you may want to steer clear, but don’t assume that a company is unsuccessful just because it doesn’t have its own campus in Silicon Valley.
How to Thrive as Part of a Smaller Company
If you’re thinking of joining a small but spirited team, you will be in excellent company. But while big businesses can seem overwhelming, smaller operations come with their own set of challenges. Don’t assume you can just skate by on your skill set alone. If you want to ensure maximum job security and enjoy your time in the office, you’ll need to keep the following in mind:
- Maintain a positive attitude. This is so important for small businesses, because you’re part of a tight-knit community. You can’t just disappear into the shadows like you can in a large-business environment. Your attitude affects other people, and if you’re constantly dragging your coworkers down with negativity, stress or personal frustration, it will inevitably hurt your standing with the company.
- Always give 110%. Okay, so this may sound like a little league baseball cliché, but it gets the point across. One disadvantage to working for a small company is that the work you do will typically be held to higher scrutiny. More work needs to be accomplished with fewer resources, and chances are, no one else is going to bear any of the weight of your responsibilities. The smaller the business, the more that rests on your shoulders.
- Be open to change. Small businesses often amend their strategies at the drop of a hat. You may notice that your responsibilities change from time to time, and even the very structure of the company evolves rapidly in order to stay competitive. If you’re a creature of habit, this can be very stressful, but the fact is that small businesses have to be malleable, and you’re in for a bumpy ride. Just accept the fact that changes are beyond your control, and be prepared to wear numerous hats.
- Be the first person to arrive in the morning and the last person to leave in the evening. Sound familiar? I suppose some truths are universal in any job environment. It doesn’t matter how small or large the company; the more you demonstrate your commitment to the enterprise, the more successful you will be.
Finding Your Perfect Fit
Ultimately, you must find what works best for you. Think of your own personality. Do you have more fun at large parties or small social gatherings? This may give you some insight as to which type of work environment would best suit you. And, of course, always do your research before joining any company. You’re going to be there a long time, so treat your decision with the utmost care. (Tweet this thought.)
And finally, best of luck in your search for the ultimate career!
Do you work for a small or large company? What advantages/disadvantages have you noticed?
Is it time to quit your job? Use our FREE workbook to decide whether to stay or go.
Joel Gross is the Founder and CEO of Coalition Technologies. He holds a B.A. in Business/Finance from University of Washington and 7+ years’ experience in SEO marketing. His mission is to boost his clients’ bottom line through Web design and SEO marketing. Follow him on his blog, Joelx.
Image: Flickr
