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The size of the company you work for can have a major impact on both your career and your day-to-day working life. In this article, discover the key characteristics of small and large companies to help you make the best choice for your career!
Two very different types of organisation
An SME (Small or Medium-sized Enterprise) is a company employing between 10 and 250 people, with an annual turnover not exceeding €50 million. In this type of company, departments are often closely interconnected and the proximity between all stakeholders tends to be stronger.
A large company, sometimes a multinational corporation, is a much bigger type of organisation. These companies are generally structured in a highly organised way, with clearly defined departments and hierarchies.
Working style
SMEs often provide a less formal working environment, which may appeal to some people. They tend to encourage strong collaboration between departments. Employees frequently wear several hats and take on a variety of tasks. As a result, workloads can sometimes be heavier due to smaller team sizes.
In large corporations, on the other hand, performance targets and working hours are often more strictly defined. This structured environment may suit some people, while being a source of stress for others.
If you get bored easily in your job and enjoy being involved in a bit of everything, then SMEs are probably the right fit for you. Conversely, if you prefer a clear and stable structure and enjoy staying within your comfort zone, you will likely feel more comfortable in a large company.
Hierarchical structure
In SMEs, managers are generally more approachable, allowing employees to benefit more directly from their experience and advice. When it comes to promotions, opportunities can either be easier or harder to obtain depending on the circumstances. Since there are fewer employees, you may have the chance to replace your manager if they leave, as competition is often lower and you are already well integrated into the company. On the other hand, having fewer employees also means fewer positions available and therefore fewer opportunities overall.
In large companies with thousands of employees, changes occur more frequently and new positions open up more regularly. Many large corporations also offer automatic promotions based on seniority or performance, providing a clearer view of your potential career progression.
Similarly, SMEs are more likely to give you greater responsibilities because the environment is less formal. Large companies are often more rigidly structured and may not allow employees as much autonomy.
Workplace atmosphere
In SMEs, the atmosphere tends to be warmer and more personal, with stronger social relationships between colleagues. This is quite natural given the smaller size of the company and the lower number of employees. People often know most of their colleagues across the business, unlike in large corporations, where employees are more likely to know only members of their own department.
However, large companies usually have greater financial resources, meaning they can organise more team-building events such as parties and after-work gatherings.
The smaller size of SMEs also encourages a stronger sense of belonging. People are often more invested in a small company where everyone knows one another than in a large corporation that depends less on each individual’s performance. This can be motivating, but also stressful depending on the situation. You may feel highly valued, or conversely, overwhelmed.
Skills development
Beyond hierarchical promotion, your career can also benefit from acquiring new skills. In this respect, both types of company offer advantages.
In SMEs, you are more likely to learn new things because teams are smaller, meaning you may find yourself helping with tasks that fall outside your original role.
Large companies, meanwhile, often provide more formal training opportunities to help employees acquire new skills. These training programmes are generally more developed and can be more easily highlighted on a CV.
Salaries and benefits
In terms of salaries, pay tends to be higher in large corporations than in SMEs because they generally have greater financial resources. SMEs must often focus more closely on maintaining profitability. They also usually offer fewer employee benefits, such as lunch vouchers or work councils. Job security can also be slightly less stable in SMEs, as they are more vulnerable to sudden revenue losses or even bankruptcy.
Small or large company: which one should you choose?
Neither option is necessarily better than the other and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The right choice mainly depends on your profile and career ambitions. Depending on your sector, role and professional experience, the choice is never obvious.
Working for a globally recognised company can be particularly valuable at the start of your career. It can strengthen your CV, as future employers are likely to know the company’s name. Large corporations also tend to offer greater stability, job security, and additional benefits compared with SMEs.
However, if you want to find greater meaning in your work, develop a wide range of skills quickly, and have a direct impact on the business, then an SME is probably the better fit for you.
Have you made your choice? Then you can start searching for your future employer using the company size filter on Moovijob.com.