With the fall semester wrapping up and finals and winter break just around the corner, it’s a good time to give some thought to where you want to go after graduation. There’s no doubt that you’re probably aware of the many big companies in town, the ones who often send recruiters to campus, but there’s another option that you may not have considered before, working for a smaller company.
Small and Mighty
Working for a smaller company can be a great place to start your career. Based on sheer size and number of employees, a smaller company can provide a path for hands-on experience and more control over your career path. Right from the start, a smaller company can put you on the fast-track, including a quicker interview process, opportunity for responsibility and project ownership. This is in part because there are fewer layers of bureaucracy to navigate at a smaller company.
This translates into more visibility for you. Consider the difference between 14 new graduates all hired for similar roles at a large company versus a smaller company that hires one or two new graduates. Based on sheer numbers alone, those at a smaller company are likely to receive more attention from fellow employees and others in the company purely because there are fewer people to meet. This means that those you work with and work for will have the time to get to know you and your working style.
Trying on Different Hats
Fewer employees in an office means that people will cover multiple roles. As a new graduate, this is a great way to find out and try out a number of different positions without getting pigeonholed into just one. A less formal structure means that it will be easier to become a generalist with experience in lots of different things. It’s also one of the quickest ways to meet people in the company and make yourself known as someone whose presence and work ethic is integral to the company.
Building personal relationships with those you work with on a daily basis is not only a way to create connections across the company but it allows you see intimately learn the inner workings of the company and how departments work together. Learning to identify these connections is a stepping stone to creating the career of your design.
Getting Started
Considering all of the options available, it’s sometimes hard to know where to start. Working with a staffing recruiter can be a great way to begin a search. One of the biggest benefits to working with a staffing recruiter is that they will know exactly what kind of personality and skill sets are desired by the company. As they get to know you, your unique personality, and work skills, they will be able to make a match that’s beneficial for both the employer and the employee. To learn more about the benefits of working with a staffing recruiter, contact us at Staffing KC.
This article is brought to you by Staffing Kansas City, a full-service Kansas City employment agency that provides contract-to-hire, direct hire and temporary employment placement services.
