Big Company vs Small Companies - which is better to work for? (employee, highest)

[zz4guy]

What are your pros and cons for working at a big company (10,000+)? Versus a small company?

Less politics and red tape? More/less money? More/less opportunities?

I've only worked for very large companies. Even thought the security/benefits are nice, it is hard to get things done sometimes and I question the value of my work on some projects.

[annerk]

I've worked for both and most definitely prefer a solid small company. I'm currently working for a small but conservatively growing company that has been around and under the same ownership and management for 25 years. The owner is about the same age that I am, and I figure I'll retire before he does at this point.

I like not having the multiple layers of beauracracy and being able to put a quatifiable value on my work. (Which these days leads to better job security)

[sike0000]

I have worked for both, though mostly large companies.

They both have pluses and minuses.

At a smaller company you will have more responsibility, probably wear multiple hats (above and beyond what you would at a larger company), and never get bored.

But, being a small company the office politics can sometimes be worse because there are so few people, and it only takes one bad egg to make everyone's life hell. And having more responsibility you can bet the finger is going to be pointed right at you. I think smaller companies are good for more experienced workers that don't need the training to be productive from day one. Not always the case though!! And there is a good chance you will be working long hours. I found that there is a lot of favoritism in smaller companies as well. If someone is friends with the hiring manager, suddenly their whole family is working there regardless of xp. Everyone gets different perks etc. There is no equality.

Large companies you will have more opportunity for promotions, moving into other areas of interest, and have plenty of people to learn from. Sure, you may get someone pointing their finger at you but there are usually enough people to spread the blame depneding on their processes and structure. The company will probably be more flexible with vacation, personal time etc.

But, you will usually learn processes that are unique to that one company which can hinder you if you move on. Oh, and you are basically just a number with no real value to the company. Human capital to be bought and sold.

Now this is not always the case, just my experience.

[mwv]

Small companies can definitely reach extremes: they can be awesome but others can be hellish.

Large companies by nature are more formal. If you're not overly social yet must still interact with a lot of people, large companies will be better because people tend to keep a certain distance.

For small companies, you want to figure out in advance the owner's role and that of his (usually) spouse. Female employees especially need to know about the wife's role in a small business related to the owner because she can be a serious problem or blessing, depending on how you're perceived. Ditto also for any family members employed by the business. Also, if the owner is highly religious make sure you're at least nominally a member of that same faith.

[dspguy]

I've worked for both large companies and one small company.

All I can say is that it depends highly on the company. I've worked for large companies that offered great job security and decent opportunities for advancement. I've also worked for large companies that did not have any of the commonly accepted "large company benefits." Poor job security, poor benefits, etc.

At my large company, there was a clique of about 10 guys that all joined the company a few years prior to me and they were the golden boys. They were all on a fast track for great responsibility, management positions, first dibs on any sort of training, etc etc. My direct supervisor (and his supervisor) weren't very old at all. And not many of the older management higher-ups were retiring. So, there was a glass ceiling.

My small company is more personable. I get to talk to the VP of the company whenever I want. Shake hands with all the big shots. The pay is higher; the benefits far better. Higher up management are thinking about retirement, so they are grooming the less senior employees to take up these positions.

That could be true at any company. Sometimes you don't know till you are there. Good luck.

[Randomdude]

Originally Posted by zz4guy

What are your pros and cons for working at a big company (10,000+)? Versus a small company?

Less politics and red tape? More/less money? More/less opportunities?

I've only worked for very large companies. Even thought the security/benefits are nice, it is hard to get things done sometimes and I question the value of my work on some projects.

There is no benefit to working at a small company.

- You will always hit a glass ceiling where you will wait for someone to die/quit. There are few places for promotion, and many times, you are the only one in your position or "promotion chain". In other words, there is no position for you to be promoted to in existance.

- You will be nickle and dimed on everything

- You have to answer directly to owners or partners, who often, have no clue how to run a business, or what you are talking about

- Small businesses rarely know the market value of skills, and usually always end up paying as little as possible for as much skill is possible. They also normally expect you to perform far over your "pay grade" without any compensation. They also often do not have full staffs, which force you to do jobs completely out of your job description, that would be accomplished by a full time employee specializing in that function in a bigger company.

- Small business often has a difficult time absorbing bad years or down times, much more of a difficult time then big business.

[maf763]

Originally Posted by Randomdude

There is no benefit to working at a small company.

- You will always hit a glass ceiling where you will wait for someone to die/quit. There are few places for promotion, and many times, you are the only one in your position or "promotion chain". In other words, there is no position for you to be promoted to in existance.

- You will be nickle and dimed on everything

- You have to answer directly to owners or partners, who often, have no clue how to run a business, or what you are talking about

- Small businesses rarely know the market value of skills, and usually always end up paying as little as possible for as much skill is possible. They also normally expect you to perform far over your "pay grade" without any compensation. They also often do not have full staffs, which force you to do jobs completely out of your job description, that would be accomplished by a full time employee specializing in that function in a bigger company.

- Small business often has a difficult time absorbing bad years or down times, much more of a difficult time then big business.

Yes, all small businesses are exactly like this. A horrible fate.

[annerk]

I have to rebutt Randomdudes post.

I work for a small company and report directly to the president.

I have a budget, and spend the cash as I see fit.

The owner is very hands off, he really could care less what I do or how I do it, as long as I produce results. He has told me several times that if I'd rather work from home, that's fine with him.

I've already made him a lot more than my salary plus my budget plus some software and a computer he had to buy for me, and I've only been here since March. This makes him even more hands off. I know what I'm doing, and that's why he hired me. That is his management philosophy with all employees.

He is the ultimate non-manager. He wants only a three sentence highest level report each week from me.

I am being paid fairly, and make the top end of the wage scale for my position in this area. I am salaried, and don't have to account for my time, hours, etc. I don't even have to come into the office. I just found out that the company PTO policy doesn't apply to me--as I am one of four salaried employees in the place. I don't get "vacation days" because I can take as much or as little time off as I want, as long as the work gets done.

I hit the "glass ceiling" when I was hired, there isn't anywhere to go, I'm already at the top, and frankly don't want to go further even in a large company. So that's not a problem to me.

I actually enjoy doing certain jobs that are not within my job description, and don't mind pitching in.

The company I work for has continued to grow even in the current economy, and is truly one of the few types of businesses that will do well in both good and bad economies. They have been in business for almost 30 years and ahve grown conservatively every year since they opened. They have never had a layoff.

[Randomdude]

Originally Posted by maf763

Yes, all small businesses are exactly like this. A horrible fate.

2 out of 2 of the ones Ive worked for are.

[annerk]

Originally Posted by Randomdude

2 out of 2 of the ones Ive worked for are.

So you worked for crappy companies. Doesn't mean they all are. Maybe you need to get better at choosing your employers.