When it comes to companies, size really does matter.
A lifetime of effort goes into finding a job, but the work doesn’t stop there. There’s way more to consider about a prospective employer than the fact you might have received a job offer from them.
Everything from the dress code to the opportunities for advancement can be essential parts of making sure you’re happy in the next chapter of your life. And size is one of the biggest factors in determining these facts.
1. Responsibilities: Would You Rather Wear Many Hats Or Just One?
Size can mean everything when thinking about your company responsibilities. It makes intuitive sense, too: The fewer people there are who work at a company, the higher the chance that you will be asked to perform tasks outside your job description.
This can be pretty incredible for someone just starting a career. It’s the opportunity to build even more skills and experience for your resume. However, it can go both ways. You don’t want to be asked to do so many jobs that you end up with limited proficiency in your actual field.
Finding a firm in the “Goldilocks Zone” between these extremes, like CohnReznick—one of the country’s premier accounting consultancies—can be the ideal situation for recent grads. With a few thousand employees in offices around the country, CohnReznick is large enough to support you in your own specialty, while lean enough to let you take ownership of your work and build meaningful relationships with people in upper management.
2. Resources: What Are You Working With?
This is one of the realms in which you’ll find the biggest difference between a small company and a massive enterprise—for obvious reasons, too. Established industry giants usually have whole departments dedicated to providing you with the necessary tech, like phones, laptops, and software packages. Startups and small companies might not have a conference room for every meeting.
However, certain companies do actually manage to strike a balance between resources and the above-listed responsibilities. At an established midsize firm, you can get things like amazing benefits and tech, while still being able to take on actual responsibilities that you can get credit for nailing.
3. Corporate Culture
You should always think about what your life will be like day to day. Are you comfortable putting on a tie every morning? Will you be bored to death on your hour-long commute? These details, while not a factor that the company chooses for itself, are realities that you need to consider. Maybe you can find another job that allows you to wear t-shirts and walk to work. Maybe you work best in a more traditional environment. These things are personal and have to play a role in your decision.
The Goldilocks Zone
If you’re someone who wants to get ahead fast by taking on major challenges at your first job, but you don’t want to take on the risk or hassle of working for a startup, finding a company that’s smack dab in the Goldilocks Zone could be a smart career move.
It’s not just about first jobs, either. Even internships for companies outside the zone can pose challenges, too. If your goal is to not only get experience but also secure a job after graduation, then a midsize company could be your best bet.
Want to work in the Goldilocks Zone? Click here to learn more about opportunities at CohnReznick on WayUp
