Questions about working for a small company

[DrunkenMaster]

One company I interviewed for was spectacular in an industry I never thought of applying for. There was a scheduling conflict. The money - everything - was all there. When I applied to a competitor, I have a 2nd interview with the owner tomorrow. The thing is, there's lot of money in that business. They have really big clients, long established 15+ year reputation, industry accolades and they're in a high priced part of town.

Thing is, the office looks a tad out of style. The office decor is from the 70s. Their front office staff are a bit unprofessional. I think the money is there for the job. Their sales staff, which is probably where I'm going to work seem like great people - well dressed and such.

Any thoughts or opinions? I'm sure I'll get a serious offer, but there's a few other jobs opps. I have. I don't want to be looking for new work much longer. Patience thing not money related.

[Dave Diller]

Sounds like the only thing that you've got against this company you're considering is their style. Nothing to turn a job down for - maybe even suggest some changes when you've been there for a year or more.

Personally I'd say, based on what you're telling me, it seems like a good fit for you.

[The2]

Maybe the boss is just hard on giving money for styling. As some bosses are throwing away a lot money on the style.

[BGM]

One company I interviewed for was spectacular in an industry I never thought of applying for. There was a scheduling conflict. The money - everything - was all there. When I applied to a competitor, I have a 2nd interview with the owner tomorrow. The thing is, there's lot of money in that business. They have really big clients, long established 15+ year reputation, industry accolades and they're in a high priced part of town.

Thing is, the office looks a tad out of style. The office decor is from the 70s. Their front office staff are a bit unprofessional. I think the money is there for the job. Their sales staff, which is probably where I'm going to work seem like great people - well dressed and such.

Any thoughts or opinions? I'm sure I'll get a serious offer, but there's a few other jobs opps. I have. I don't want to be looking for new work much longer. Patience thing not money related.

just go for it... if you don't like it move on after a year or so

i work for a small company, its great.. the opportunities are far greater and you get a lot more responsibility earlier on in your career which in my opinion can only be good for you!

again, go for it! :D

[DrunkenMaster]

Bit more detail then,

Its more because of the image that it presents to the customer. But it seems like they focus more on meeting clients than bringing them in. I'll meet with the big cheese and see how it goes. I guess at the least, it being a pretty cut-throat business, they seem like good folks to deal with. I put my salary expectations on paper and there have not been any objections yet.

I don't deny small companies aren't good. They are a bit more slack with qualifications and are usually awesome with compensation then I would get for a similar role in larger company. I had worked in a few small businesses, the entire office was rather cheap and the boss paid cheap too. One was also a venture capital which was funded by some really rich dudes. They stopped funding and I lost my job. Here and now I can't afford to.

Any tips suggestions per above from your experience ? Job rention, compensation, and such.

[mtrftw]

....

They have really big clients, long established 15+ year reputation, industry accolades and they're in a high priced part of town.

Obviously it doesn't matter what the office looks like, does it?

[Knife Party]

go for all the interviews and have a look at all the job offers first, you never know ;)

[_bobcat_ Veteran]

Unless the decor is really ugly it's not the most important thing really. The chances are they don't have much money to spend on it, it's not a priority. The same may well be true for the front office staff. I wouldn't be put off by that if you're getting a good wage and secure job, although I think the fact that you are doubtful is a bad sign. If those people are unprofessional, is it going to affect you?

I've worked for a small company of accountants. They were cheap on wages but the job was secure. I actually had to demand a certain wage after my 13 week trial because they tried to take the **** and pay me minimum wage.

Personally, I hope to work for a small-medium sized business when I finish my degree. I have worked in bigger companies and I much prefer the flexibility and variety of smaller ones, as long as they are generous enough on the wages and value their support staff :p

[DrunkenMaster]

I guess cause I was screwed before.

I met with the big cheese today. Super nice guy. Probably nicest I've ever met. I can see why he's so good at what he does. Anyways, I think its a great opportunity but this particular business goes in waves with its ups and downs. I have something else on table and this *is* the career opportunity of my life, I'm meeting next week. The first cheese is willing to wait a week or two, making sure I really want this.

I'm very tempted to work on a small commission basis and try and get more customers for him. Not that, it seems, the company really needs it. Just he's well placed and has lots of contacts. Should be easy to get another job after if something doesn't work out well elsewhere. Just with other FT job, might be hard. I do have a debt to work off though. My FT job is good cash, but any PT stuff is really going to help. The sooner I pay off my debt (its around 15k), even though I realize there's a $500 penalty for the loans I have, it will help with a mortgage instead of rent. My folks co-signed on a portion of a loan and I want to get it off their backs.

[PNWDweller]

I have worked in both corporate and small companies. I am presently 3 years into a small company.

I can honestly say that corporate is more concerned about numbers and where the money went and is going. They care more about that, then their workers/drones.

Where I work now, I have honestly been able to say that even though the office decor and setting is not indicative of what type of my company is, (ergonomic), it isn't the environment that makes a 100% deciding factor. If the quality of work is out there and quality of employee treatment is there, then it will be an awesome job.

To give you an idea of where I work, it is in a "Strip mall" type of building, we have offices which sit about 3 people max per office. So, you have store front number one which is a door and window to the side. Inside of the door, you have office. It is like this through 5 different offices (Store fronts). This includes one across the street. We have considered going into a larger building, but seem to keep leasing and renewing our lease with the current landlord who loves us as we are the largest tenant for them. Since, we have a good rep with them, we are free to do what we want with the building including merge the existing offices into one. So, pass from one office to another by walking through doors put in what were once solid walls.

What I am getting at is even though the place may be small and sometimes run down, if the product quality is superior and is good, it doesn't matter what the place looks like. (At least where I am 100% online e-commerce no public allowed place).

[Brian M. Veteran]

The most important question: do you feel comfortable there?

You will get more recognition/reward working for a smaller company, however, the chances of promotion are much higher in a larger company.

[gnuman]

The good thing about a smaller company is that you can probably move up much easier than working at a bigger company although smaller company does have its risks also the environment is more important.

If they treat you like crap at a big company it does not matter how much they pay you you will be unhappy.