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Pros and cons of working for a small business.

As big companies downsize, many workers find themselves confronted with a tough choice. Should they take a job in a small company? This can be a huge cultural shift. While there are downsides, most of these are dependant on the company, and are not a charecterstic of all small businesses. First lets address the most common questions, and then we'll move in to some of the real benefits and cultural changes. Once you have a clear understanding of what it is really like, you may prefer to work for a small business.

Will I have job security?
The funny thing about this question is the people who ask it. Usually they have just been laid off from a very large business. The answer is yes, but there's a catch. If you go to work for a startup, then of course you will have a greater risk, as the number of new small businesses that fail is quite high. But working for a small business that has existed for ten years or more, will usually offer you more job security.

Are the benefits bad?
This depends entirely on the company. With the rising cost of health care costs, both small businesses and bigger companies are feeling the pinch. You'll probably find that the paid time off, and retirement programs are not as robust as in a Fortune 500 company. The good news is that small buinesses can often offer you flexibility in other areas, that bigger companies just can't accomodate.

Can I still advance my career?
Absolutely, and probably even faster. In a small business, every job and every employee is much more visible. Hard work and dedication are usually rewarded much more quickly and result in a more rapid rise up the corporate ladder. The problem of course is the ladder doesn't offer as many levels. If you're goal is to someday be the president of the company or CEO, you may have to wait until the owner retires, and then hope for the best. Many small business owners turn their businesses over to relatives, or sell to another company, which could put you out of the running. If your goal is to be a CEO, you're best bet is probably to find a mid-sized company. For more on how to become a CEO read this article.

The biggest benefit in working for a small company is that if you are a valuable employee, you can quickly become a part of the executive group, and help to make decisions at a very high level. Small business is very much like big business, in that good people are hard to find. The pro and con are both related to this. The value of a good employee is seen very quickly, and the rewards come faster. A bad employee on the other hand, sticks out like a sore thumb. This is one of those times in life when you have to take an honest look at yourself. If you miss a lot of work, and your job is way down on the list of your priorities, you won't often last in a small business.

The overall quality of life in a small business is in my opinion better. You don't get caught up in the corporate politics, you are a true part of the decision making process, and you are rewarded based on how well you work.

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