The Job Seekers Guide to Large Companies vs. Small

The Job Seekers Guide to Large Companies vs. SmallThe Job Seekers Guide to Large Companies vs. SmallThe Job Seekers Guide to Large Companies vs. SmallUnsure if you want to work for a big or small company? Use this job search help. TWEETDepending on how you slice it, an argument can be made on whether working for a large company is better than working for a small company. A large organization may sound appealing with its hierarchies, budgets, and pensions but are you missing out on something mora?A small company offers a slew of distinct benefits and intrinsic rewards that some large organizations just cant beat. But are they really better? Consider the below job search help when dealing with this dilemma.One of a million or one in a million?The number one thing I get asked about in interviews is, whats the culture like? Finding a culture that fits you is crucial to your job satisfaction. If you feel like you fit in, youll feel more comfortable. If you feel more comfortable, youll p erform better. Its a win-win. Having a sense of belonging is a basic human need according to Maslow and I think its right on as it relates to a career.At a large company the culture is more formal than not governed by rules and policies. People act conservatively and the way that employees are treated is in a general fashion. As a result, employees might feel like one of a million - like an employee number, not an individual.At a smaller company, culture is formed organically. Its often the brain-child of a founder and tends to be more authentic than its corporate cousin. The culture is likely going to be casual with less rules (or no rules). At small companies, employees are treated like the individuals they are and as a result, youll probably feel incredibly comfortable in the workplace.Who wins? Small company At a smaller company you can be an individual and with that sense of freedom you can (and will) do your best work.Training vs. learningAt a large organization, training is a way of life. They typically offer formalized new hire training as well as a multitude of ongoing education and professional development courses. From mental health training to negotiation skills, you could have access to free libraries of courses or be sent to a top institute to learn new skills. Bottom line big companies have budgets. In fact, they have training departments.Small companies have learning initiatives. There may be some semblance of a training program such as on-boarding, product training, or education budgets for employees - but itll definitely lack the structure that a big company offers. And the budget. But what a small company offers is learning by doing otherwise known as on the job training. At a small company you have less employees, few specialists, and a lot of hustle. As a result, employees get to help out in areas of the business outside of their domains and learn new things of which they might not have ever had access to. At my first startup job I was h ired to do HR but what I ended up doing was HR, Office Management, Executive Assistant, Writer, Social Media, and when we renovated I was the Construction Project Manager. Now thats what I call on the job training.Who wins? Large company On the job training is phenomenal and may open you up to new skills you never knew you had, but structured training beats it. Having access to free education via your employer is priceless.Lets talk about money, honeyI often hear that at bigger companies youll get paid better, but thats not necessarily the case. This is a yes and no schrift answer. At bigger companies youll get an attractive total compensation package, meaning theyll set you up with a combination of salary, bonus, benefits, retirement plans, and/or stock options. The thing about large companies is that compensation is managed in a structured, methodical way. All jobs will have salary ranges and so your ability to negotiate your earnings outside of the predetermined range may be next to impossible. Large companies often do salary freezes, too, meaning raises can be few and far between. I once went three years (and two promotions) with no salary increase.Smaller companies have to fight to be more competitive so youll be at market - if not higher in your earnings. Youll have a good compensation package, but retirement options are not as easily come by especially pension. The great thing about smaller companies is your ability to negotiate your value through proven success. Its all at a closer range so if you are underpaid and deserve a raise, its not unreasonable to ask for it (and get it.)Who wins? Large company. You had me at pension.Creative FreedomFreedom. The word itself will have entirely different meanings at a large company versus a small company. If I were being facetious, Id say that freedom doesnt really exist at a large company. At a large company, you may have variations of experiences that may be perceived as freedoms, but its relative freedom. You will have various choices and depending on your contribution level youll be able to make an impact - but I dont know if youd ever call it creative freedom. As an employee you will be managed quite closely - the time you take for holidays (or even breaks) and again, you may feel more like an employee number than anything.At a small company you have a much wider spectrum of freedoms. Freedoms with time. Freedoms with creativity. At a small company you can drum up an idea at 9 a.m., pop into the CEOs office and pitch the concept, and get a new initiative approved by end of day. Because youre encouraged to be yourself at a small company, you naturally become more creative and thus - freedom. Smaller companies are more focused on their purpose and vision and tend to be Results Oriented Workplaces - never clock-watching.Who wins? Small companies because creativity always wins.Choosing the right sized company might sound more like a Goldilocks test but youll know it when it feels right. My job search help to you on this it comes down to your personal values and lining them up to what a company can offer. Ready to find your dream job? Hire a TopResume writer today

5 Tips to Successfully Present at an Important Executive Meeting -The Muse

5 Tips to Successfully Present at an Important Executive Meeting -The Muse5 Tips to Successfully Present at an Important Executive MeetingAs an avid basketball fan, I can easily envision the final seconds of the game and the need for a player to have the fortitude to take the final shot. There are parallels between taking the last shot and having to deliver a critical presentation to a room of executive leaders. You have to be ready- physically and mentally.You might not be playing for a crowded arena, but your work audience (i.e., co-workers, managers, and executive leaders) are on the lookout for your communication skills, intellect, and perseverance under preskoranvers. As in sports, your talent is only one ingredient of a successful outcome. Your preparation, precision, and delivery are crucial factors.According to a study on executive presence, your appearance, communication, and gravitas accounts for 26% of what is needed for a promotion. There are finite opportunities for you to convey all of this, so important meetings are the perfect time to get noticed.Here are five keys to making your best impression in front of the most influential people sitting in the room with you.1. Know Your AudienceLearn who the core decision makers in your organization are and what theyre looking for in this presentation. There are instances in which the final decision is not made by the person with the highest title. For example, in multiple projects that Ive been part of, the project sponsor holds authority that trumps the senior executives. Additionally, the project manager may not have oversight over the team, but has direct impact on the timeline and execution.In other words, you dont want to spend the entire time making eye contact with the person who has VP in her title- only to learn that she isnt involved in implementation.2. Use Data to Strengthen Your ArgumentResearch and analysis are vital to worthwhile discussions. It doesnt matter what department youre in, you s hould share the metrics used to measure results and have supporting data to back up what youre saying. Interpreting the numbers and being armed with a strategic solution for ROI or cost reduction can make all the difference. Just make sure your numbers are presented in a way thats easy to comprehend.3. Dont Steal the Spotlight (But Prepare for it Nonetheless)Initially, you may not be the primary presenter, however its vital to prepare as though youre the point person. As a back-up basketball player for the Golden State Warriors that had not started a game all season, Andre Iguodala took advantage of his opportunity to lead the team to the 2015 NBA Championship and win the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award. He earned this through practice, dedication, and the ability to perform when called upon. So, prepare for the meeting as if you were leading it. Then, when youre asked to do that at a moments notice, youll blow everyone away.4. CommunicateAs intuitive as it may sound, basic co mmunication skills like listening and connecting with your audience are critical. A surprisingly easy way to distinguish yourself is by preparing counterpoints, as the audience may not be on board initially. In addition, pay close attention to questions that go unanswered within the meeting. Many people say, Ill get back to you with more on that, but being someone who actually follows up will showcase your diligence. 5. Close With ConfidenceMaintain the saatkorn level of energy throughout your interaction, regardless of whether its in a formal or informal discussion. Even if your initial presentation doesnt go as planned, how you end the conversation- i.e., whether you emphasize your commitment to shared goals or question your entire pitch in the face of resistance- will affect how people remember your whole presentation. Know that the conversation does not end when people walk out the door. Ensure follow up on agreed upon action items and prepare your delivery for ongoing engagemen ts.In your career, it is important to cultivate strong relationships with key influencers within your team, department, project, or work group, and an important meeting is the perfect place to build these connections. With proper preparation, youll be able to make a great and lasting impression.Photo of performance courtesy of Shutterstock.

Great Opening Lines From Cover Letters

Great Opening Lines From Cover LettersGreat Opening Lines From Cover LettersAs the saying goes, you only get one chance to make a great first impression. While were pretty sure our mom was more concerned keeping zu sich children from embarrassing her in front of friends when she doled out this sage advice to us as youngsters, the saying is more than applicable when it comes to the search for your new career-making job position. With the advent of online job applications and recruiter submissions for vacant listings, the professional cover letter is fast becoming a lost art. While overlooked by many applicants, starting off on a great foot with a killer introduction to your skills and experience can go a long way in pitching yourself as the best candidate for the position. Weve dedicated other articles to the skills needed in crafting a cover letter as a whole but pitching yourself in the very first lines can often be an art in itself. Job-seekers should buckle up were about to take y ou on a wild ride into the world of good, great and absolutely fabulous opening lines for your next cover letter submission.The Case for Short and SweetRecruiters, hiring managers and other employment professionals are often strapped for time. Juggling multiple deadlines for individual work projects along with interviewing for that open position, one of the most valuable traits a candidate can pitch to a prospective employer is a quick and concise overview of why theyll be a good fit for the available role.Job-seekers should use this knowledge to craft a brief and concise opening pitch that spells out the whos, hows and whys of their application. Avoid excessive wordiness or long and elaborate tales of your job history. Employers want to know what you have to offer and why you would be a great fit in a single sentence. And by sentence, we dont mean one of those paragraph-long monstrosities that Ms. Periwinkle warned you about way back in sixth grade. One to two lines is all you shou ld need to make your case.Sell YourselfNow that weve talked about length and format, its time to nail down the content requirements. When it comes to awesome opening lines on your cover letter, there are a few solid approaches to consider. First off is what we like to call the candidate capsule approach. In this form of opening, a candidate will include a quick snapshot of their career, qualifications or overall job skills. If youre an avid book or newspaper reader, consider this as the headline synopsis of your resume. Experienced candidate with xyz certifications is an example of a perfectly acceptable, concise and forward approach. Other ideas along these lines include X years of experience in the abc field, or candidate with a proven track record in y fundamentals.If youre short on experience, or simply looking for an alternative way to open and pitch your candidacy, the why Im interested line is also a viable alternative for opening your cover letter. In one sentence, pitch to the prospective employer what interests you about the position, company, pr job description. This approach will queue in hiring managers that youve read the job description and performed the necessary due diligence on the role and company. As a concrete example, open with a statement such as Candidate interested in the leadership, managerial and innovation skills the xyz position will build. Candidates could also highlight individual qualifications or job duties as potential reasons for their interest in the position.Make them want to Hear MoreWhether you open with one of the above, or your own personally-developed approach, your opening line should grab the attention of the recruiter or hiring manager. Avoiding generic or throwaway statements along the lines of my name is will be crucial to keep those in decision-making positions interested in what you have to say. Candidates looking for a leg up shouldnt shy away from attention-grabbing tactics such as utilizing a bit of professio nal humor or inserting key industry catchphrases in order to gain the upper hand over other qualified candidates. The trick is to set your cover letter, resume and overall candidacy apart from the competition while still appearing qualified for the individual job listing, whichever individual track you decide to take.