What is it like working for a small business?

Working for a small business can provide you with a unique insight into how a business is run and an opportunity to get involved in a variety of tasks and projects outside of the role you were initially recruited into. You may have more opportunity to work with colleagues across the business at all levels.

Some will flourish in this environment, enjoying the flexibility and the chance to work closely with the company’s senior managers – quite often this includes the Managing Director. Others will find the visibility this affords a little daunting, preferring to stick to the job description of their role and wanting to be part of a structured graduate training programme offered by large companies who are typically the global, corporate recruiters.

The "pros" of working in a small business include:

  • Working more closely with senior managers
  • Better promotion prospects
  • Informal environments & less bureaucracy
  • Variety and early responsibility
  • Making a real contribution that is visible
  • Learn all aspects of running a business, inside and out
  • Getting involved in a number of projects, so you can be…
  • …Creative; everyone’s ideas count and are acted upon
  • It’s good training if you want to go it alone in the future
  • Greater job satisfaction and work-life balance is common
  • The opportunity to make an impact and be rewarded for it

The "cons" of working in a small business include:

  • No specific graduate schemes
  • More learning on-the-job rather than official training programme
  • Salaries are often lower
  • You may be the only graduate in the workforce
  • Fewer, younger people likely to be employed
  • Nobody recognises who you work for when you tell them
  • Early responsibilities may be daunting for some