I am actually confused and I would like to have some suggestions over here. I have worked earlier with industries having more employees. For example, in one company, there were over 500 employees, and in another company, there were over 300 employees. Currently, I am working in an organization that is advertising-based, with a total staff of only 20 employees. I am responsible for HR and Admin here. My concern is, is it good to work in an organization with fewer people? Will it impact career growth?
From India, Vadodara
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nathrao
3251

Working in small organizations means you will get all-around exposure to all facets of HR. That will be a good thing and give you wider experience. You have worked with large organizations and seen the functioning of the setup there. This combined experience will be beneficial for you. Wherever you work, read all basic regulations, laws, and understand the important parts that affect your day-to-day work.

Different industries have different working styles, but HR is all about connecting with people. You should prioritize being people-centric while keeping organizational and legal aspects in mind.

From India, Pune
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Hi,

The career growth of any individual is directly proportional to the potential of the individual which has been gained through knowledge and experience. As you move forward, what matters a lot is the value you create for the company, the best practices and processes that you have implemented, and your contribution to the company. So, I would say the individual will own 80% or more responsibility in creating an impact in one's career.

Apart from the headcount of 20, I request you to gather the below details of the company. When was the company founded? Advertisement company (about what and the modes) Growth of the company (any improvement in recent years) Profit/Loss Structure of the company. More importantly, as the headcount is 20 what opportunity you will see that you get to learn and test your skills. If there are no standard policies and processes, you can build those which are suitable for the company, and this will add weight-age to your profile. You should understand the vision of the company and check if you can contribute to the company's vision with your knowledge and experience.

The Cons may include... You shouldn't end up doing the administration activities which are repetitive in nature by which you won't learn anything new. In small companies, lack of proper guide/mentor who is excellent in the same field is also an issue. You have to do all on your own. Job security is another pain area in small size companies.

I conclude to analyze yourself and the company, what opportunities you see that you can do in 5 years in the company. Do your research and deliver your best. Who knows, many start-ups will grow aggressively after a certain point in time.

Good luck,

Regards Thiyagu

From India, Bengaluru
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Working with big or small organizations has a perceptual difference. The real problem with a career arises when there are differences in work culture, laws, rules, and other associated matters.

In general, a rule of thumb is followed by every establishment to recruit people with exposure/experience in the same or similar nature of business. The best way to learn is by doing or being involved in a job, not just through textbook knowledge. Textual knowledge serves as a guideline, but ultimately, your exposure is what proves helpful.

It is always advisable to consider organizations of the same or similar nature for career growth.

From India, Mumbai
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Anonymous
16

It doesn't differ, but if you have worked for 500+ employees, you would have been stuck to a single job. With a lower count, you will also have the opportunity to explore other roles. We all work for a salary, regardless of the size of the company.
From India, Hyderabad
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The learned members have given useful inputs. Anyhow, you now have to your credit the experience of working in a big organization. Consider the difference between the two job profiles and analyze which profile can enhance your competencies in terms of diversity, scope, leadership, decision-making, and independence. In the future, employers will look for competencies, skills, and exposure rather than the size of the organization.

B. Saikumar
HR & Labour Law Adviser
Navi Mumbai

From India, Mumbai
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adding what I said, I did not notice that your future organisation has only 20 employees. if so, the queries raised by Thiyagu are relevant to consider. B.Saikumar
From India, Mumbai
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nathrao
3251

It does not matter whether you work in a small or big organization. What matters is your attitude - Are you ready to continue learning? Are you ready to take on all types of HR jobs? Are you ready to take on extra workload? So, just look at the organization holistically and make a decision not solely based on size.
From India, Pune
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It does not make much difference. You can use your experience for this small company for its growth. While you can have versatile activities for doing and implementing for setting up an organization with well-built policies.

The more you work at various levels, the more knowledge and experience you gain. And as said, HR is all about people. Connect well for better productivity and growth.

From India, Vadodara
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Dear HR colleague,

You must ponder over the relevant points raised by Thiyagua. What is important for you to assess is whether, in this 20+ advertising company, you are likely to get opportunities to utilize your past experiences fully to make a significant contribution and achieve full job satisfaction. Prima facie, I don't believe so, as there may not be worthwhile areas to contribute. If anything, it will be minuscule, and in the long haul, it may prove to be frustrating. At the cost of sounding negative, think and act after deep thought.

Regards,
Vinayak Nagarkar
HR Consultant

From India, Mumbai
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