Should you take company size into consideration when looking for a new job? Here’s what to consider when applying to small, midsize, and large organizations.

Working at a small company can give you more opportunities to learn on the job, since headcount is lower and you’ll likely wear multiple hats. For this reason, you may also end up with more decision-making power—and more impact as a result. On the flip side, organizational uncertainty and limited resources can lead to more stress and a bigger workload.

Midsize organizations typically offer a balance between the agility of small companies and the structure of large ones. They also offer more resources and benefits, as well as more predictable career paths. However, they can be more bureaucratic than small companies, and they may limit your ability to specialize. Finally, market competition from both smaller and larger companies can lead to a culture of external pressure.

Because of their size, large organizations typically offer extensive resources and benefits, opportunities for specialization—and potentially even the chance to work abroad. The downsides? They can be extremely slow moving and political, and the scale of the organization may make you feel like your impact is limited.
This tip is adapted from “What Size Company Is Right for You?,” by Irina Cozma
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