Smaller Company/Higher Wage vs Larger Company/Smaller Wage

Richie

Richie

Richie

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So, given the choice, what would you do between these 2

Would you work for a smaller company (handful of employees, family run kind of idea) with a higher wage or work for a company that's part of a larger national group but a lower wage.

Commute time is much longer for smaller company.
Say wage difference is around 5k a year (or suggest what the minimum wage difference would be to go for the smaller company.

I'm thinking things like progression would be limited in the smaller company. However, would you need progression if you're happy with the salary.

Also, there are issues with being part of a much larger group of companies, whereas the smaller company may make you feel more valued?

Give me your thoughts.
 
It probably depends where you're at in your career. Larger company = more opportunities, Smaller company = chance to make a bigger difference and get more involved in everything.

I started out with big companies and am now with a smaller one where I can make a difference. Less progression opportunities (but still some, and I've already progressed one step up) but definitely better.

Commute would be a bigger concern for me. Don't underestimate the amount of time you can lose commuting every day if it's too far.
 
Not enough info, how much of a difference is 5k a year in this case?

If you're earning circa 20k-ish then 5k is a rather significant difference compared to if you're earning circa 80k-ish.

What are the prospects like in the new company... if you're likely to get a 5k raise after a year anyway and a shot at further promotions at say year 3, year 6 etc.. then that's perhaps better than some small % pay rise at the smaller company which pays you a bit more but has no head room for further career progression.

But then again does the small company provide equity? Is there scope to get a broader range of experience there vs say potentially being siloed in a larger firm? Are there roles you'd perhaps like to try and in the small company you can simply take on some additional responsibilities vs in the large company those roles may be taken by entire teams...
 
Commute is around double the distance and 25mins more each way (45 mins Vs 25 mins)

Pay bandings sit around the £25k/£26k (so £5k on top of this). It's not an insignificant amount TBH.

I suppose there is job security though?
 
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Smaller company, higher wage. It’s difficult to shine in a room full of a hundred light bulbs.

Also more likely to be promoted or get more opportunities based on merit at smaller companies. Big ones often have archaic processes or are required to advertise positions for application.
 
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MissChief said:
Smaller company, higher wage. It’s difficult to shine in a room full of a hundred light bulbs.

Also more likely to be promoted or get more opportunities based on merit at smaller companies. Big ones often have archaic processes or are required to advertise positions for application.
Click to expand...

No offence but this is all nonsense as a general rule, there can be good and bad in either situation.

When have you even needed to "shine in a room full of a hundred light bulbs"? Even in the biggest companies your immediate manager isn't likely to have more than a dozen team members.

Advertising positions can be good in terms of "merit"... a small family-run company might not even have scope for any progression and I'd not necessarily expect family members to be treated the same as ordinary employees, your chance of a top job there might be 0.

Likewise, a manager picking their favourite drinking buddy for a promotion because there isn't a process in place instead of interviewing a few different candidates for it isn't necessarily a good thing either. Having the opportunity to leave teams/departments and apply for opportunities elsewhere in the company can be useful.
 
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