By Laura Bill, Head Writer at Inspiring Interns
Are you considering your job options after graduation and don’t know whether working for a small or large company is best for you?
It’s something that many graduates have to think about when on the job hunt and it is often determined by your preferred working style. If you have gained a good degree, have experience under your belt and a varied skillset, there are a huge number of employers that will want to hire you. However, you’ll need to consider what’s best for you.
Small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) provide many great benefits for the new graduate that you may never have considered before. Here’s why you should consider applying for a graduate job at a small company:
More personal experience
Are you worried about being a small fish in a big pond?
Working for asmall company means you become an integral part of the team and build closer relationships with your employees. As such, you’re much more likely to experience a sense of team spirit and encourage each other to succeed, as opposed to working independently.
Larger companies on the other hand tend to have their team spread out across different offices – and even in different countries, so you may never meet the people you’re working with.
Greater flexibility
As small companies don’t have the budget to hire hundreds of employees, there is typically flexibility to try out new tasks if you wish to.
Often, SME bosses will allow employees to work flexibly and try out new roles that they’re interested in, before choosing to hire new staff members. As such, this opens up new opportunities for the existing workforce.
Similarly, they also may be relaxed with working hours to fit around your lifestyle, as opposed to having a strict company policy. This is especially important if you have personal commitments and cannot stick to the typical 9-to-5 schedule.
Greater involvement in the company
Once your employer becomes aware of your talents and abilities, they’re more likely to get you more involved with new tasks.
Even after just a few months of working with an SME, you may discover that you have adopted several new tasks and responsibilities. What’s more, you’re far more likely to have your views heard during team meetings and potentially pave the way for significant changes made within the company.
By involving yourself in the company, you’ll enhance your CV. This is especially important for graduates who are undertaking an internship and hoping to catch the attention of an employer advertising a permanent graduate job.
Employer mentoring
The mentoring opportunities within a small business are extremely beneficial for new graduates who are keen to seek professional guidance upon starting out.
Employers in small businesses tend to be much more involved with their employees’ work, which means gaining regular feedback from day one on what you’re doing well.
If you’re someone that thrives on feedback to constantly improve and enhance your prospects, this is certainly an avenue that would be valuable to you.
Get noticed
Unfortunately, working in a big company means often having your efforts overlooked amongst the large number of employees in the team. However, employees in small companies are more likely to have their efforts and capabilities noticed.
As managers will be a lot more involved, they’re more likely to recognise your hard work and offer rewards where due – and it’s always a great feeling to know that you’re appreciated.
If you’re keen to work for a small company – check out Inspiring Interns’ job board. This graduate recruitment agency’s primary client base is small businesses, so browse through the available roles and you may just find the perfect graduate job at your ideal company.