They both talked about wanting to be their own bosses, to run their own businesses one day. They’re both quite young and very early on in their careers. I encouraged them to really think about the advantages and opportunities they were being afforded by their large employers and capitalize on their current situations.
Now I am pretty aware that I don't glamorize running a small business as much as other people may, but I do see the appeal. The thing is I also think there's a great appeal of working for a big company. Especially when you’re building the foundation of your career.
Of course there are small companies that fit in between these categories. I have worked for multiple small offices and I think there are loads of reasons everyone should have that experience under his or her belt as well. At another point I’ll focus on those thoughts but for now I will share some of the top benefits of working for -- intermingled with tips for surviving and succeeding at, -- a big company.
Top 10 Benefits of Working for a Big Company:
Top 10 Benefits of Working for a Big Company:
1. Learn what and how to learn about a company
In any company it's important to take the time to understand where you are. But it might never get easier for you to understand what you should be paying attention to and how a company works than at a big company. Especially if you’re young in your career (just out of college or graduate school) a lot of them will spoon-feed you the information you need to know. This is the sort of information you should consider to seek out about companies throughout your career. Not sure what that is? Let me help: listen to the earnings calls, follow competitors, find out what your company values and learn about these things.
2. Learn how to be purposeful in your moves
We all know that the moves you make within your career have huge impact on what your career becomes and therefore need to be done thoughtfully. Well the moves you make within a company should be done just as thoughtfully. Whether you’re in your dream role or you took a job with the hopes of it evolving to something new, stay planted for long enough to learn; this varies by company, person, team, where you are in your career, but generally is at least 1 year, more likely closer to 2. See below on company-specifics you should focus on learning about but also spend time learning about your role, your team, where your team fits into a larger department and company, general expectations, etc. Only once you understand how your role, team, and department fits into the lifeblood of a company do I recommend considering thoughtful and deliberate moves that will build your experience and help you grow professionally.
In any company it's important to take the time to understand where you are. But it might never get easier for you to understand what you should be paying attention to and how a company works than at a big company. Especially if you’re young in your career (just out of college or graduate school) a lot of them will spoon-feed you the information you need to know. This is the sort of information you should consider to seek out about companies throughout your career. Not sure what that is? Let me help: listen to the earnings calls, follow competitors, find out what your company values and learn about these things.
2. Learn how to be purposeful in your moves
We all know that the moves you make within your career have huge impact on what your career becomes and therefore need to be done thoughtfully. Well the moves you make within a company should be done just as thoughtfully. Whether you’re in your dream role or you took a job with the hopes of it evolving to something new, stay planted for long enough to learn; this varies by company, person, team, where you are in your career, but generally is at least 1 year, more likely closer to 2. See below on company-specifics you should focus on learning about but also spend time learning about your role, your team, where your team fits into a larger department and company, general expectations, etc. Only once you understand how your role, team, and department fits into the lifeblood of a company do I recommend considering thoughtful and deliberate moves that will build your experience and help you grow professionally.
3. Learn how to write a self appraisal, give, and accept feedback
While all companies have unique performance management methods, big companies tend to be a bit more formal (at lease somewhat) and their approaches often translate (again, at least somewhat) to other companies. As I’ve written about before (here and here) feedback is essential for your own growth. I suggest taking tips at least on how to write feedback from big companies with more tried and true approaches. Don’t like what your company does? Well there’s something to be said about that as well, store that away and don’t carry that with you.
While all companies have unique performance management methods, big companies tend to be a bit more formal (at lease somewhat) and their approaches often translate (again, at least somewhat) to other companies. As I’ve written about before (here and here) feedback is essential for your own growth. I suggest taking tips at least on how to write feedback from big companies with more tried and true approaches. Don’t like what your company does? Well there’s something to be said about that as well, store that away and don’t carry that with you.
4. If you’re a people manager learn how to manage people
This has a similar caveat as feedback (that all companies vary) but in general large companies tend to have more formal training to create strong managers. Take advantage of these opportunities. Also remember that management is a two-way street and people manager trainings at large companies can often be helpful when interacting with managers of your own. Pay attention to what your big company has to offer, your future direct reports and managers will thank you.
5. Capitalize on training opportunities
Again with the caveat here, but large companies often have more formal training opportunities and larger budgets. Some don’t even require you to take a training within the realm of your role. Take advantage of these opportunities, you’ll miss them once they’re gone.
Again with the caveat here, but large companies often have more formal training opportunities and larger budgets. Some don’t even require you to take a training within the realm of your role. Take advantage of these opportunities, you’ll miss them once they’re gone.
6. If you’re not in project management take the time to understand some basics
In my opinion, many, if not all, jobs have at least a lick of PM in them so understanding their view of the world is helpful. Complex companies tend to need project managers more than smaller ones and often have fined tuned ways of leveraging them. Consider how much value you might bring to a smaller company one day if you can simply understand how a good PM might tackle a complex deliverable.
7. Understand HR policies
Hopefully you’ll never have to report anything like harassment but you never know. Additionally less drastic things like what a company’s policy about being paid out for PTO are also very important. While HR policies are not the same from company to company, at big company this info is often readily accessible (sometimes on an intranet) so learn a bit so you know what’s standard.
While there’s no standard HR policy I’ve found that generally there are similar tenants. It’s also not a bad idea to begin to get a sense of what’s standard across different companies, this can help you when thinking about negotiations with future employers.
This is a drastic example but I know of a horror story from a friend at very small company who did not have a clear way to get some general but possibly awkward questions answered because the person to go to was her manager. Luckily she was able to bounce questions off me and likely some others and determine a way to approach this situation, though I think knowing some general principles and things like when and who to escalate what types of issues to, can end up being invaluable.
While there’s no standard HR policy I’ve found that generally there are similar tenants. It’s also not a bad idea to begin to get a sense of what’s standard across different companies, this can help you when thinking about negotiations with future employers.
This is a drastic example but I know of a horror story from a friend at very small company who did not have a clear way to get some general but possibly awkward questions answered because the person to go to was her manager. Luckily she was able to bounce questions off me and likely some others and determine a way to approach this situation, though I think knowing some general principles and things like when and who to escalate what types of issues to, can end up being invaluable.
8. Learn how the different parts of the company fit and work together
As I’ve continued to caveat, all companies are different but I think there are general operating patterns. It’s easier to observe and understand these patterns in an established company since often they’re more clearly laid out. Who owns the P&L; how are customer analytics used and by whom; is social media owned by marketing or corporate communications? While this might not impact you directly it's never a bad thing to understand. Take the time to do this.
As I’ve continued to caveat, all companies are different but I think there are general operating patterns. It’s easier to observe and understand these patterns in an established company since often they’re more clearly laid out. Who owns the P&L; how are customer analytics used and by whom; is social media owned by marketing or corporate communications? While this might not impact you directly it's never a bad thing to understand. Take the time to do this.
9. Learn how to communicate with executives
Notice how I said with rather than to. Figure out what an appropriate relationship/conversation with an executive is like at your company and develop this. Execs are high powered and can be intimidating but you need to be appropriately comfortable with them to succeed. You might as well start at a place where their roles are likely to be clearly defined. (An aside on this that I will expand on another time: Keep in mind one of my favorite tips
10. Get free stuff: swag, flu shots, you discounted gym membership, whatever
Not much to expand on here and I’ll offer a new caveat that I like free stuff, but I think it’s totally true that some of the perks of a large company are the free things that you get. Take advantage of this while you can.
BONUS: 11. Don’t drink too much Kool-Aid
Don’t lose yourself. Yes, be a dedicated employee, but keep in mind your own values as well.
Can you think of other benefits of big companies, or other tips to survive and succeed at them? Maybe you think small or mid-sized companies are infinitely better? Share away. I’ll revisit this topic and share the benefits of working for smaller organizations in the future.
No comments:
Post a Comment