6 unexpected benefits of working for a small company

Watch now: The unexpected benefits of working for a small company.

Employer size is an often-overlooked aspect of the job search. This is surprising when you consider how much it impacts career trajectory, work satisfaction, and remuneration.

For many people, London is the only place to be. They want to work for a big-name firm at the heart of their industry sector, even if they're only a small cog in the wheel initially. But corporate roles at FTSE 100 businesses aren’t for everyone — far from it. For an increasing number of talented professionals, bigger doesn’t mean better…

Small companies and start-ups can offer a wide range of unexpected benefits, especially to professionals who like to get their hands dirty with a variety of tasks and see the immediate outcome. Here are 6 benefits of working for a small company and why they warrant serious consideration.

1. Varied and hybrid roles

Some SMEs have just a handful of employees, meaning everybody is required to turn their hands to a variety of tasks. An advantage of working in a small company is that, rather than having just a small number of clearly-defined responsibilities, you may be given a wide-ranging brief — one that isn't always limited to your area of expertise. What better grounding could there be for a life in business?

You may have skills in a particular area, but there's plenty of value in gaining practical experience across a range of business departments. As well as making you a more valuable asset for your company, it gives your CV a real boost. In the future, these skills could help differentiate you from other job candidates.

The variety that comes from working in a small company can also be a positive from a job satisfaction perspective. No two days will ever be the same, as you'll always be faced with new challenges. This keeps you on your toes and reduces the likelihood of boredom setting in.

2. Greater involvement

Once your boss becomes aware of your ability and potential to add value to the company, they'll be eager to get you more involved in running things. Even after just a short while with an SME, you may find yourself assuming key duties and responsibilities. What's more, you might have an influential voice in team meetings and be able to offer input on the company's strategic direction.

The commercial skills you pick up will be a valuable addition to your CV — employers are always looking for people who understand business mechanics and their organisations' positioning within the markets they operate in.

3. Innovative ideas welcome

SMEs are often the most innovative firms; they can respond quickly to changing market conditions and have the creativity to develop new products and solutions. If you’re an innovative thinker, you may be given the opportunity to put your skills to work.

4. Close-knit company culture

Working in a small company means being part of a small team or department, making it easier to bond with everyone. This can be good for team spirit, asking for feedback and developing a positive workplace atmosphere. On the other hand, larger organisations tend to be more impersonal, with employees spread out over different sites and even different countries.

There's also the competition factor to consider in larger firms — you may well have a group of talented individuals all fighting it out for the next promotion. This isn't always conducive to a relaxed office environment, particularly if some professionals feel aggrieved at being passed over in favour of a colleague.

5. Diverse remuneration packages

SME employers can rarely compete with major organisations on salaries, so they need to find other ways of attracting and retaining talented staff. It’s common to find start-ups and SMEs offering benefits like flexible hours, additional paid leave, in-house fitness and counselling sessions, and private health insurance. Remuneration packages like this are particularly good for professionals who enjoy a vast range of perks, especially ones that help make life easier (childcare, healthcare, extended parental leave) or allow people to treat themselves during this cost-of-living crisis.

Related: Perks and benefits for 2023

6. Promotion opportunities

By nature, working for an SME gives talented candidates the opportunity to achieve faster career progression. In major organisations, there may be a lengthy queue of talented professionals waiting for the chance to move up. So even though you're ready to take on additional responsibility, there's little option but to bide your time or look for another job elsewhere.

If you're working in a small company, you can make your mark as a major asset; there's no reason why you can't be given important responsibilities within a year or two. Even if there isn't a vacancy for promotion, a new role might be created as a reward for your achievements. This won't just be a retention tactic — it's also so the company can benefit from your insight and understanding.

The upshot is that you get to add a senior role to your CV. This propels you to another level in the jobs market and at an earlier stage than may otherwise have been possible. The experience you gain as an SME executive could help you move up to the 'big league' in the future.

Is a small company right for you?

Many professionals prefer the benefits of working in a small company and are extremely happy, while others may view this option as a career stepping-stone.

In the long term, many people who work in small companies will end up working for major organisations — potentially entering at a higher level. In some cases, their contribution might help the small business evolve into one of these larger companies; look no further than the likes of Google and Facebook for evidence of this.

At the very least, time spent in small business jobs is invaluable in terms of gaining skills, knowledge, and experience and cutting your teeth in senior roles. If you perform well for a small company, you will be noticed (and not just by your current employer!). Professionals who can add tangible value to a company will have plenty of career development opportunities, both internal and external.

Visit the Robert Half advice blog for more tips on how to get hired by a small company. If you’ve been sold on the advantages of working in a small company and are looking to make your move, get in touch with our recruitment experts or search open roles now.