How To Ensure You Succeed When Working For A Small Company

How To Ensure You Succeed When Working For A Small Company

By Michelle Wanjiku

Everyone wants to work at big organizations like the UN, Safaricom, EABL and more. This is not a surprise because these companies offer great compensation as well as good working conditions. However, there are more and more SMEs being set up and they are helping fill the employment gap in the market.

But in order to succeed when working for a small company, there are things you need to do.

1. Be realistic

When it comes to working for a small company, you need to have realistic expectations.

Things will not be the same as when you are working in a big company from the salary, you will be paid to the company culture.

You might be doing the same job as someone who is working at a big company, but chances are you will not be earning the same amount.

You, therefore, should not expect that you will be given the same benefits that you would get if you were working for a big organization.

When you are realistic about what to expect, you will be happier working at the company and as a result more productive.

2. Expect to work (constantly)

One of the things you should know about working for startup companies is you will be required to work a lot more than if you were working at some big organizations.

Whereas in some big companies, there are set working hours that people strictly adhere to. When it comes to small companies, you will find yourself staying late at the office more often than not or even working on the weekend.

3. Embrace responsibility

There are obviously fewer employees in small organizations; this means that you will have to do more than is in your job description.

Not only that but when working for a startup, you have to be willing to do your work well. This is because; everything you do or don’t do has a direct impact on the company unlike in big organizations where you can get away with slacking off once in a while.

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This is a great thing because not only do you get to build a great work ethic, but you might also end up getting promotions faster because your work is being recognized.

4. Define your job

Unlike the popular belief that there is very little career growth in small companies, they can actually offer you more growth compared to big companies.

You will be able to grow your career faster in a small company than you would in a big corporation.

When it comes to startups, there is very little restriction regarding what you can do, you find that you are taking on responsibilities in customer service, admin, sales, IT and more and in the process improving your skills.

This will have a positive impact on your career because you get to have a better portfolio and have more to offer a potential employer, giving you an advantage over other job seekers.

5. Accept the risk

Not every business survives and with small companies, there is always a chance that it will collapse and you will have no job. Unlike big companies that are already established, small organizations always face the possibility of failure.

However, startups can also become very successful organizations and in turn, make you very successful. A good example of this is the people who worked for Apple Inc. at the beginning who ended up being shareholders after the company became successful.

READ ALSO >>> 4 Reasons To Consider Working For An SME

In Conclusion,

When it comes to applying for jobs, don’t just look at jobs in big companies. There are great opportunities that come with working for an SME. However, just because you work for a small company doesn’t mean that you will have a great career; it depends on your dedication and hard work.

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