"DOES SIZE REALLY MATTER?"
Let me begin by explaining that is entry is not disputing some Cosmo article and has nothing to do with sex...
For the past several months, I have had occasion to place many entry level candidates and many people making their first or second job change. In 9 out of 10 conversations; the SIZE of the employer has become a primary focus.
New graduates are being counseled by school "Career Counselors", Mom & Dad, friends to seek out a GIANT GLOBAL COMPANY THAT WILL HAVE A FORMAL TRAINING PROGRAM AND MANY LAYERS OF MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE.
The candidates making their first or second job change are also struggling with this SIZE issue.
Candidates coming out of a small to mid-size company are often seeking the resources, opportunity for advancement (and movement within an organization), as well as the structure they assume will be more evident in a larger company.
Then there are the folks who have been working for a Fortune 100 company and are looking for the autonomy, greater exposure and responsibility, and lack of politics they assume exist in a more "boutique" setting.
So...DOES SIZE REALLY MATTER???
You first have to examine perception vs reality! Some concepts can be considered factual.
If you work in a smaller environment, you are more likely to wear many hats. As a result, this setting provides a greater opportunity to have direct contact with senior management and a scope of responsibility larger than your peer in a corporate GIANT! You will have a sense of ownership or "being a strategic partner".
The downside is usually centered around a few basic realities seen in smaller entities. These could be: lack of resources (both financial and manpower), a more "laid back" setting generally is more loose in management style and structure - structure organizationally and on a day-to-day basis, and finally...the opportunity for advancement will be decreased based purely on the number of people "ranking" above or below you.
Those working in a larger environment tend to have roles that are VERY clearly defined. Entry level candidates may indeed have a FORMAL training program. These positions also tend to have some type of SUPPORT responsibility. Until you yourself are a Manager, up to 50% of your responsibilities in a larger organization may be to ensure the person you are reporting into "LOOKS GOOD". You may be involved in more reporting, tracking, coordinating than some of your peers in smaller environments. In the best of circumstances, whoever you report into takes an interest in your professional development and can be seen as a MENTOR. Larger environments provide a "formal review" process and tend to have greater financial resources.
IS ONE BETTER THAN THE OTHER???
I try to provide analogies that most people can relate to:
Would you rather be the Captain of the best Junior College baseball team in the country and be on the cover of Sports Illustrated...or a "utility" player on the 26 time World Champion New York Yankees?
Would you rather drive a brand new shiny Hyundai- have CONTROL - that has just AM radio, no power windows and no power steering...or be a passenger in a fully loaded Bentley?
There is no right answer! This is a personal preference that is better shaped by experience and time in a professional setting. Sometimes, knowing what you DON'T want is as important as knowing what you do want.
Each setting has it's own list of Pros & Cons...
At the end of the day, I introduce & counsel candidates to seek out opportunities that will provide them with the following:
a scope of responsibilities they perceive as challenging or exciting - a corporate culture/personality they fill they relate to and fit in - team members they can see themselves spending 8, 9, 10 hours a day around - opportunity for advancement - MORE MONEY - and it is always nice to work for someone you admire & respect...who appers like they have a genuine interest in contributing to your professional growth
This type of opportunity exists in companies of all sizes! Do your research...ask good questions throughout the interview process - do not generalize - or solely rely on what you friends or family tell you...remember, it is you that will be reporting for work everyday!
The bottom line is...most of us have many, many years to work...wanting to get up and go to work everyday...is invaluable...regardless of whether the company has 5 or 5,000 employees!!!!
"What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight - it's the size of the fight in the dog." Dwight D. Eisenhower
For the past several months, I have had occasion to place many entry level candidates and many people making their first or second job change. In 9 out of 10 conversations; the SIZE of the employer has become a primary focus.
New graduates are being counseled by school "Career Counselors", Mom & Dad, friends to seek out a GIANT GLOBAL COMPANY THAT WILL HAVE A FORMAL TRAINING PROGRAM AND MANY LAYERS OF MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE.
The candidates making their first or second job change are also struggling with this SIZE issue.
Candidates coming out of a small to mid-size company are often seeking the resources, opportunity for advancement (and movement within an organization), as well as the structure they assume will be more evident in a larger company.
Then there are the folks who have been working for a Fortune 100 company and are looking for the autonomy, greater exposure and responsibility, and lack of politics they assume exist in a more "boutique" setting.
So...DOES SIZE REALLY MATTER???
You first have to examine perception vs reality! Some concepts can be considered factual.
If you work in a smaller environment, you are more likely to wear many hats. As a result, this setting provides a greater opportunity to have direct contact with senior management and a scope of responsibility larger than your peer in a corporate GIANT! You will have a sense of ownership or "being a strategic partner".
The downside is usually centered around a few basic realities seen in smaller entities. These could be: lack of resources (both financial and manpower), a more "laid back" setting generally is more loose in management style and structure - structure organizationally and on a day-to-day basis, and finally...the opportunity for advancement will be decreased based purely on the number of people "ranking" above or below you.
Those working in a larger environment tend to have roles that are VERY clearly defined. Entry level candidates may indeed have a FORMAL training program. These positions also tend to have some type of SUPPORT responsibility. Until you yourself are a Manager, up to 50% of your responsibilities in a larger organization may be to ensure the person you are reporting into "LOOKS GOOD". You may be involved in more reporting, tracking, coordinating than some of your peers in smaller environments. In the best of circumstances, whoever you report into takes an interest in your professional development and can be seen as a MENTOR. Larger environments provide a "formal review" process and tend to have greater financial resources.
IS ONE BETTER THAN THE OTHER???
I try to provide analogies that most people can relate to:
Would you rather be the Captain of the best Junior College baseball team in the country and be on the cover of Sports Illustrated...or a "utility" player on the 26 time World Champion New York Yankees?
Would you rather drive a brand new shiny Hyundai- have CONTROL - that has just AM radio, no power windows and no power steering...or be a passenger in a fully loaded Bentley?
There is no right answer! This is a personal preference that is better shaped by experience and time in a professional setting. Sometimes, knowing what you DON'T want is as important as knowing what you do want.
Each setting has it's own list of Pros & Cons...
At the end of the day, I introduce & counsel candidates to seek out opportunities that will provide them with the following:
a scope of responsibilities they perceive as challenging or exciting - a corporate culture/personality they fill they relate to and fit in - team members they can see themselves spending 8, 9, 10 hours a day around - opportunity for advancement - MORE MONEY - and it is always nice to work for someone you admire & respect...who appers like they have a genuine interest in contributing to your professional growth
This type of opportunity exists in companies of all sizes! Do your research...ask good questions throughout the interview process - do not generalize - or solely rely on what you friends or family tell you...remember, it is you that will be reporting for work everyday!
The bottom line is...most of us have many, many years to work...wanting to get up and go to work everyday...is invaluable...regardless of whether the company has 5 or 5,000 employees!!!!
"What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight - it's the size of the fight in the dog." Dwight D. Eisenhower
