Your Career Futureproofing – Why Company Size Matters
Your Career Futureproofing – Why Company Size Matters
I started my career in recruitment in 2001 – for context, that was the same year Apple released the iPod!
Over the last 25 years I’ve worked through a wide range of economic conditions and had firsthand experience working in very different business environments, from global organisations to starts up with fewer than a handful of employees.
As a recruiter, I always encourage professionals to experience working for a variety of different sized companies. This is one of the most effective ways to futureproof your career. Having experience in both large, publicly listed businesses and smaller, employee-owned organisations creates a much stronger and more adaptable professional profile.
Working inside a large, publicly listed company with potentially tens of thousands of employees and possibly international operations teaches you things you simply can’t learn in a small company. How to navigate complex policies and procedures and cross-functional teams. How to influence without authority. How to get things done when the path forward requires alignment from people you’ve never met. Your manager would be in another time zone, and you may never meet the CEO.
In contrast, working in a small company of fewer than 20 people offers a completely different type of growth. There is often far greater opportunity to influence and even drive the strategic direction of the company. You take ownership beyond your job title, decisions get made quickly, and your contribution is immediately visible. You’ll be stretched in ways that accelerate your growth faster than almost any structured development program could. You’ll also learn what it means to really care about the outcome, because in a small business, everyone does. The owner of the company is likely working under the same roof.
As your career progresses, it becomes increasingly important to give yourself choices for the future. During tougher economic conditions, large organisations often implement redundancy programs – something we’ve seen recently across major technology companies. In these environments, the person making decisions about your future may never have even met you.
Similarly, when I meet with clients recruiting for senior leadership roles, they often want candidates who have already succeeded in a similar business environment. It can be difficult to demonstrate your ability to add value in a smaller organisation if your entire career has been spent in large corporates. The reverse is equally true.
The bottom line is simple.
Give yourself options for the future.
Don’t spend your entire early career in just one type of environment. Large businesses and small businesses each teach you valuable but very different lessons. The professionals who can bring both experiences to the table are often in higher demand, more commercially valuable, and have far more choice in shaping their future career.
ARE YOU CURRENTLY LOOKING TO HIRE?
ASR Recruitment is a boutique recruitment agency specialising in Technology & Digital, Marketing and Communications, Accounting & Finance, Construction, Human Resources, Engineering, Safety, Procurement, Transport & Logistics, Manufacturing, Legal & Risk, Administration & Customer Service.
Find out more by visiting our Clients page!
Looking for a new role? Search Jobs here.
From our blog
Read our articles below to see our latest insights.
Your Career Futureproofing – Why Company Size Matters
Your Career Futureproofing – Why Company Size Matters I started my career in recruitment in 2001 – for context, that was the same year Apple released the iPod! Over the last 25 years I’ve worked through a wide range of economic conditions and had firsthand experience working in very different business environments, from global organisations to starts up with fewer than a handful of employees. As a recruiter, I always encourage…
The Value of Hiring Outside Your Industry
The Value of Hiring Outside Your Industry Why looking beyond “industry experience” can unlock real business value One of the most common requirements I hear when taking a brief is: “they must have industry experience.” Sometimes, that’s absolutely necessary. But more often than not, it’s quietly shrinking the talent pool – and in some cases,…
How AI Is Quietly Reshaping Work in Australia
How AI Is Quietly Reshaping Work in Australia Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept in Australia. It has already become part of everyday work across industries, often in ways that are subtle but impactful. From automating routine administrative tasks to supporting complex data analysis, AI is steadily changing how organisations operate. Many employees…
Contract Workforce Solutions: Helping You Access Untapped Talent
Contract Workforce Solutions: Helping You Access Untapped Talent In the current highly evolving employment market, relying solely on permanent hires can mean missing out on a significant segment of highly skilled professionals. At ASR Recruitment, we work closely with clients to access experienced individuals who are not actively seeking permanent roles but are available for…
Why Good Contracts Professionals Are So Hard to Find
Why Good Contracts Professionals Are So Hard to Find If you speak to most hiring managers across mining, construction, engineering or infrastructure at the moment, you will often hear the same challenge: “We’re struggling to find good contracts people.” Demand for experienced Contracts Administrators, Contracts Specialists and Commercial professionals continues to grow, yet the available…
No Australian Experience? Here’s How Construction & Engineering Candidates Actually Get Hired
No Australian Experience? Here’s How Construction & Engineering Candidates Actually Get Hired Every week I meet and speak with highly capable construction and engineering professionals who’ve just arrived in Australia on skilled visas. They present with excellent resumes and solid overseas experience and skills. And yet… they describe their struggles to make traction and even…
The Smartest Candidates Don’t Just Answer Questions – They Ask Better Ones
The Smartest Candidates Don’t Just Answer Questions – They Ask Better Ones If you’re job hunting in tech right now, here’s a mindset shift that can genuinely set you apart: Your questions in an interview matter just as much as your answers. Most candidates spend hours preparing responses – but the ones who stand out…
Recruitment With Integrity: Why Honest Conversations Matter More Than Speed
Recruitment With Integrity: Why Honest Conversations Matter More Than Speed After more than a decade working in recruitment and agencies, I’ve learned that the biggest differentiator in this industry isn’t speed, price, or even network. It’s honesty. When I first started, like many recruiters, I believed responsiveness and fast turnarounds were the ultimate markers of…
Executive search vs traditional recruitment: why the methodology matters for business outcomes
Executive search vs traditional recruitment: why the methodology matters for business outcomes At senior levels, recruitment isn’t simply about filling a role. The right appointment has a direct impact on performance, culture, risk, and the organisation’s ability to execute strategy. That’s why hiring at this level is less about finding a capable individual and…
Permanent vs Contract Engineers: Cost, Risk, and Reality
Permanent vs Contract Engineers: Cost, Risk, and Reality When organisations weigh up whether to hire a permanent or contract engineer, the conversation often starts with cost. Unfortunately, it also often ends there – which is where poor hiring decisions are made. In the current engineering market, particularly across mining, manufacturing, infrastructure and heavy industry, the…