Partner Article

Does size matter when finding your first job?

Mark Znowski, managing director at Staffgroup, looks into the first job, and why the SME could be a smart first move.

In the current job market, it would be fair to say that the opportunities for graduates remain thin on the ground. As the recovery falters and businesses of all sizes look to get more out of their existing workforce rather than take on new recruits, many graduates are taking jobs that they may not have previously considered, even if it means compromising on their ‘dream career’.

Nowhere are jobs more sought after than at large multinational corporations, where the number of candidates applying for one position can run into the hundreds. It is for this reason that very talented and intelligent graduates are now knocking on the door of small and medium sized businesses (SMBs).

So is this bad news for graduates and great news for SMEs? We’d argue that in actual fact, it is both parties that stand to benefit. SMEs provide a platform for graduates to make an immediate impact. They will likely have a broader remit than their peers in larger companies and therefore gain experience more quickly. They also have more opportunity to have their voices heard and have a direct impact on their organisation’s culture, initiatives and general direction. With this opportunity to shine, making an impression on senior management is easier and, as a result,there is more potential for career progression. For example, Katie Binsted joined Staffgroup in 2005 as a graduate and really impressed us with the results she was generating as a recruitment consultant. When she decided she wanted to move into a different role within our business, we were more than happy to meet her needs, as we had seen great potential.

Indeed, graduates form the foundation of our workforce here at Staffgroup and the energy and fresh ideas they bring to the company are invaluable. While at larger companies you have to fit into a prescribed way of operating, we look to encourage the skills and interests of an individual and find a role that suits them as they develop. When Katie joined us, she had an interest in learning German, so we organised lessons for her as part of our commitment to develop our staff personally as well as professionally. Since then, we have opened up an office in Germany which will offer new opportunities not just to Katie but anybody looking to broaden their experiences.

SMEs have the time and organisational structure to really get to know their staff and understand not only where an individual fits best with business goals, but also where they’ll be happiest. This is great news for the company as well, because once a graduate is established and contented in their role, they are more productive, more likely to flourish and work hard to repay the faith the company has placed in them.

When it comes to choosing an entry level position, bigger is not necessarily better, it’s what you choose to do with the opportunity!

Remember to check out our graduate week articles: If you want to see more articles from Graduate Week, take a look at these links: Clegg makes a visit to a Teesside graduate business; Bringing graduates into a small business; Don’t play job market odds, change the game; Graduate X: The truth behind the graduate scheme; Mike Hill talks graduate careers; Having a graduate on board; Bdaily speaks to CIHE chief David Docherty; the graduate hotseat; and Mike Hill advises on SME employment for graduates.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Staffgroup .