Small Vs. Large: Why Company Size Can Affect Your Career

Have you ever wondered if the size of the organization you work for can affect your career?

It does.

There are benefits to working at both “small” companies (generally considered to be businesses with fewer than 100 employees) and “large” companies (those with more than 500 employees; “mid-sized” organizations fall between the two).

Unless you have a concrete reason for preferring one over the other, it’s best to apply to companies of all sizes when looking for a job.

Over the course of your career, you’ll hopefully get to experience what it’s like to work at both large and small establishments.

Here are some of the major differences you’ll notice:

Staff dynamic

Employees at a small company will usually get to know each other better and may develop an organization-wide sense of community and teamwork. They may also find it easier to develop relationships with most or all of the people at their office, which can be great for fostering a positive work environment.

At large firms, staff are more likely to work on teams within departments or even different offices. They often build strong relationships with the people they work most closely with and become acquainted with other staff members (which can be very helpful for networking).

Levels of responsibility

Those who work at a smaller company may have more individual responsibility than their counterparts at large organizations.

Why?

A small staff means that there are fewer individuals responsible for the company’s operations, so the share of responsibility is greater.

However, managers at large companies may be responsible for operations at a higher level – with higher risks and higher potential gains or losses, for example.

In general, a company’s size determines how much of a role an ordinary employee has in both the organization’s successes and failures. At smaller companies, there’s potential for more recognition when things go well – and more accountability when they don’t.

Job descriptions

Along with a greater portion of responsibility, employees of small companies also have more varied workloads.

One person might be responsible for managing several portfolios or platforms, while someone with a similar background at a larger organization may only be responsible for one or two projects, working as part of a larger team.

There are pros and cons to both! At a large company, you’ll likely find a more established internal structure with clear delegation of responsibility and the opportunity to focus intensely on a small number of tasks.

Get to work in a smaller organization, and you’ll be responsible for a more diverse and fluid role. This can be great for gaining new experience and growing professionally.

Mobility and stability

Companies with more employees typically have more opportunities for advancement within the organization. These opportunities can be both vertical (moving upwards in the company’s management structure) or horizontal (moving into a different department or area at a similar level).

In comparison, staff at smaller companies can be more stable – it’s less likely that employees will change positions internally so unless they decide to leave the organization, the company’s internal structure is not going to change as often.

Employee benefits

Large companies can sometimes offer their employees more comprehensive benefits and higher salaries because they generally have the resources to do so.

However, working in a smaller office can come with other perks. Organizations with fewer employees might have more personal staff outings and get-togethers or celebrate birthdays or holidays, for example, which can strengthen team dynamics and create an environment where employees genuinely enjoy working together.

It’s also much more common for employees of small (or new) companies to own equity in the company, which means their hard work is directly tied to an increase in value.

When it comes to an ideal company size, there’s no “right” answer – it’s important to take time to reflect on your personal and professional priorities to understand which space might be better for you.

By Riana Topan, TalentEgg.ca

TalentEgg.ca is Canada’s leading job board and online career resource for college and university students and recent graduates.