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Do
you realize that most new job growth in the United States
comes from small businesses? Yet, most students concentrate
their job search on Fortune 500 corporations or other
large, well-known companies with defined and approachable
personnel departments. But don't forget the small companies!
Generally, any business with 200 or fewer employees is
considered a small company. Small businesses are an economic
powerhouse that are providing the economy with a wealth
of jobs (nearly two-thirds of all new jobs!) and revenue.
| Is
a Small Company Right for You? |
Life
in a small organization is very different from that in a
large organization. Small companies tend to offer an
informal atmosphere, an all-for-one camaraderie and require
more versatility and dedication on the part of the
company and workers. Small companies are usually growing
so they are constantly redefining themselves
and the positions within them. Look at the following list
of small company traits and consider which of them are
advantages and which are disadvantages for you.
- You
are given more responsibility and are not limited
by job titles or descriptions.
- Your
ideas and suggestions will be heard and given
more attention.
- Career
advancement and salary increases may be rapid
in a growing company.
- You
have less job security due to the high rate of
failure for a small business.
- You
have the opportunity to be involved in the creation
or growth of something great.
- You
may be involved in the entire organization rather
than in a narrow department.
- You
may be eligible for stock options and profit sharing.
- The
environment is less bureaucratic; there are fewer
rules and regulations and thus fewer guidelines
to help
you determine what to do and whether you're succeeding
or failing.
- Successes
and faults are more visible.
- Starting
salaries and benefits may be more variable.
- A
dominant leader can control the entire organization.
This can lead either to more "political games"
or a
healthy, happy atmosphere.
- You
must be able to work with everyone in the organization.
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| Are
You Right for a Small Company? |
| Because
most small companies do not have extensive training
programs, they look for certain traits in potential
employees. You will do well in a small company if
you are: |
- Self-motivated
- A
generalist with many complementary skills
- A
good communicator, both oral and written
- Enthusiastic
o A risk-taker o A quick learner
- Responsible
enough to get things done on your own
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There
are fewer limitations, and it's up to you to make
the best or worst of that freedom. A small business
often has a
strong company culture. Learn that company's culture;
it will help you on your way up the corporate ladder.
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| Finding
a Job in a Small Company |
| One
of the biggest hurdles to finding a job in a small
business is contacting a hiring manager. Good timing
is critical. The sporadic growth of many small companies
can mean sporadic job openings, so you need to network.
A small business tends to fill its labor needs informally
through personal contacts and recommendations from
employees. Job hunters must find their way into the
organization and approach someone with hiring authority.
This means you must take the initiative. Once you
have someone's attention, you must convince him or
her that you can do something for the company. How
do you find information on small companies? Try these
techniques: |
- Contact
the chamber of commerce in the area you would
like to work. Get the names of growing companies
in
the industry of your choice. Peruse the membership
directory.
- Participate
in the local chapter of professional trade associations
related to your career. Send prospective employers
a cover letter and resume, then follow up with
a phone call.
- Read
trade publications, business journals, and area
newspapers for leads. Again, follow up.
- Speak
with small business lenders such as bankers, venture
capitalists, and small business investment companies.
These
are listed in directories at local libraries.
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| Because
small companies often have an informal hiring procedure,
keep the following differences between large and small
companies in mind as you conduct your job search: |
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| Large
Company |
Small
Company |
| Centralized
personnel department |
No
personnel department |
| Formal
recruiting program with recruiters seeking out potential
employees |
No
full-time recruiters |
| Standardized
hiring procedures |
No
standard hiring procedures |
| Keep
resumes on file for a specified period of time |
Usually
won't keep resumes |
| Interview
held with Interview often held with recruiters and
managers |
the
founder or direct boss |
| Company
literature usually available |
No
printed literature |
| Hiring
done months in advance of starting date |
Hired
to begin immediately |
| Formal
training programs |
On-the-job
training |
| Predetermined
job categories |
Jobs
emerge to fit needs |
Always
do your homework on the company, and persuade them to
hire you through your initiative and original
thinking. If you haven't graduated yet, offer to work
for them as an intern. This will give you experience,
and if you do well, there's a good chance that a job will
be waiting for you on graduation day.
Adapted
with permission from the Career Resource Manual of the
University of California, Davis.
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