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Where do you start your career?

We give you information about working for a large or small company.

Do your wishes and ambitions fit better with a multinational or an SME? Where do you see yourself growing and developing as a young professional? On this page you will find information about the differences between large and small companies.

A first job

There are all kinds of companies in the Netherlands and each company has advantages and disadvantages. The differences between a large (250+ employees) or small (<250 employees) company lie, among other things, in the corporate culture, career opportunities and secondary employment conditions. That is why it is good to know what you as a young professional find important in your work. A first job is not only about the position itself, but also depends on the type of company that suits you.

Terms of employment

You can split the terms of employment into basic and secondary. When it comes to the basic conditions, you often see that you can negotiate the salary at a smaller company. At larger companies you often have to deal with a fixed starting salary. This does not concern larger amounts, but rather a small difference.

With regard to fringe benefits, you often see at large companies that pension provisions and leave schemes are well organized and you have a generous budget for training and other extras. At smaller companies you see more customization.

Continuing to grow

When you take on a lot of responsibilities and work hard, it is often easier or faster to grow at a smaller company. But this of course differs per company. Do you work for a large company and within a large team? Even then you can probably progress to a higher or different position within the team, but the competition is greater. On the other hand, side steps are also possible to, for example, another department or subsidiary.

Certainty

Everyone wants certainty in their work. Unfortunately, no company size provides this assurance. A small company can be more vulnerable and a large organization can carry out reorganisations every time. It strongly depends on how 'healthy' the company is. Be sure to do some research here when you apply.

Independence

Would you like to get started yourself, without having to consult with several people? Then a smaller company might be a good fit for you. It can feel like you are being thrown into the deep end but it can be very educational. When you work for a larger company, you may regularly have to consult with one or more layers above you. Do you (still) find it difficult to get started completely independently? Then a larger organization might be more for you.

Personal contact

At a large company you have a lot of people around you. This is useful for expanding your network, which you can benefit from for the rest of your career. Often the personal contact is less, because you can never speak to everyone at that level. At a smaller company you may have fewer people around you, but you often know your colleagues on a personal level.

Communication

In smaller companies, communication often goes directly from person to person. No reply to your email yet? Then you can walk to that person's office to ask directly. This often happens less quickly with larger companies. You will then end up with the right person via your team leader or via via. So it may take a while before your question is answered.

Your feeling counts!

The size of a company plays a big role in your decision-making, but don't forget other things. Such as the travel distance, the position itself, pension scheme and most importantly: your own feeling. Still have no idea what kind of company is right for you? We are happy to help you make this choice. Our consultants are at your service. Contact us quickly to discuss the start of your career.

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