Multinationals vs Start-ups — The Better Career Path?
A dilemma many of us have probably faced while applying for jobs has been whether to choose to work with the large multinationals (MNC’s) or the promising start-ups within the same industry. Personally, I wouldn’t say one is superior to the other, but they can certainly be different when compared. You may be wondering what I mean by “different”. To feed that curiosity, I have listed my thoughts on how working with a multinational can be deemed different than working with a start-up.
Generally, most people you meet will direct you towards joining a big or famous company/brand. This is primarily because they believe that a good career is built around working with such companies. Based on this judgement, a lot of us steer away from the original question of, “What do I want out of this job?”. We need to establish what we would like to achieve working with that company or start-up. When beginning a career, most of us, including myself, dream of working with a glamorous sounding Fortune 500 company, but we often fail to recognize that the same amount of determination could do wonders working with an emerging start-up.
We acknowledge that all businesses aren't created equally. Regular practices for a larger company may seem strange for a smaller company and vice versa. However, when seeking work, these small distinctions may matter. I say this because work culture plays an important role in selecting the right company or start-up for your job. This is known as “the right fit”. Deloitte states that “Work culture of a company directly impacts an employee’s happiness and satisfaction”. I couldn’t agree more with this statement as the work culture of a company or start-up determines how one interacts and connects with the brand and the quality of work they perform.
Another question we must ask ourselves is, “What am I willing to compromise on?”. This could be an interesting question for a variety of reasons because it would help you determine what motivates you. Motivation could take two forms: extrinsic motivation, but also intrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivation takes the form of a higher salary, career advancement, bonuses, perks, benefits and more, whereas an example of intrinsic motivation could be genuine interest for the cause or inherent satisfaction achieved from it.
With that said, we would tend to compare our options to narrow down the most suitable job option based on the hierarchy of our motivations and needs. There could be a plethora of scenarios playing in your head, including, “Should I accept a lower salary but stay in my hometown?”, “Should I work outside of my industry for greater career advancement?”. These questions always get you thinking and play a role in revising your motivations accordingly.
Finally, we all would like to get a glimpse of what our day on the job would look like. So, I would encourage asking the question, “What do I want my day to look like?”. This question if not tackled appropriately, could often result in an aimless and unstructured search. Think about your job functionalities and responsibilities and check if it resonates with your work style. A good practice here could also be to reflect on your previous jobs, if you have worked previously, and identify your likes and dislikes within the job responsibilities. Focus on your achievements and things you are most proud of and seek job roles that would allow you to achieve similar things. This will give you a strong picture of what your next job should look like.
When you have answers to all these questions…You have made your choice between working for a multinational or start-up. Having an honest discussion with yourself by distinguishing your goals, interests, and lifestyle will help you find a path that would allow you to exercise all three. Follow that path and you will be happy and successful.
