Is bigger the better??

[Feasty]

I currently work for a large multi-national IT company on a 2nd level support helpdesk. The job isn't very difficult but is very boring and has pretty limited career opportunites unless you're fantastic at arse licking - something I'm not!
We've recently taken on extra staff and are expecting an increased workload so my job isn't under threat by any means.

Now I've recently gone for a job that's very different and reached the interview stage, I'm not sure I've even got a massive chance of getting the job but you can never be too sure!
It's a local IT company that only has about 5 employees and was started up about 6 years ago. At the top is the director bloke who is also a 2nd level support engineer, the same as the advertised job. The work is a bit above me but isn't something I'm too scared of and I'm good at picking things up very quickly.

Thing is, it'd mean going from being a minion where what I do doesn't really impact on the company I work for, to having a huge amount of responsibility in keeping a company running well with a good reputation - all for £2k-£4k more a year! (I'm on around 20K as it is).

Is it daft to risk what I've got in these times of credit crunching to go and work for such a small company?
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Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed).

[Jai466]

Mate to be honest I would write out a list of pro and cons and then weight them up.

If there going for 6 years then they must be something there... you could check them out on the Company House web site.

I also currently work for an IT company but I'm in 1st line support and its support for a Bank lol tbh not really busy as I'm able to write this msg while at work.

I thing its best to have a job that will get you out of bed reguardless of the money as the money will come later as you progress.

But thats me.

Hope it helps.

[MarJay]

In my experience working for a small company is way better than working for a large company.

If you can afford to take the risk (IE you have redundancy cover on your mortgage and whatever) then I'd go for it.

There is also always more prospects in working for a small company that grows than there are working for a huge faceless firm. Do eet!
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[scorps]

it is my experience that the bigger the company the less of an actual person you become, customers are treated in much the same way, a smaller company is more friendly and you are part of a team not just a number on a database,

being the only female member of staff also has its good points as everyone knows who I am, downside is they still expect me to suddenly go all girly and clean up after them, which of course has never happened, we now have a male cleaner
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[rotax81]

dear auntie bcf - is bigger the better


my first thought was 'here we go again' lol

smaller companies are a bit more personal than the larger ones, you are not so disposable. just what i have seen throughout the years

but it all depends on your job obviously.
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[neil.]

I was recently in a very similar situation myself.

I work at a university providing tech support for music technology related stuff, and also look after equipment, recording studios etc. I did a bit of freelance for a smaller independent college which is more linked into the music industry and they recently offered me work which would be better paid/more interesting.

In the end I reluctantly declined for the following reasons:

* The commute would be a lot harder/longer.
* I currently receive a Local Government Pension which is pretty much the most secure going.
* The university job is secure in itself and I have long term financial commitments (partner/kids).

I'd have loved to have said yes and really like the idea of working for them for the same reasons others here have said but in the end, my situation dictated what I should do. If I were free and single, I'd have probably chosen it, but the risk of things going wrong doesn't just have an impact on me.
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CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)

[Feasty]

Hmm good comments there, strange Jai466 as I support the banks too - though I guess we all 'service' them in one way or another!

I think on the mundane current job side, I do get a good pension, free private health care and it is secure. Can't help but think that in a smaller company I'd be more able to grow and actually better myself though, I don't wanna be part of the Borg anymore sitting here hating people around me for being the same thing I am...

Well I'll go for the interview, do my best and see what happens.
____________________
Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed).

[Jai466]

[Clanger]

I'd personally rather be a small fish in a big pond. But that's due to the nature of my job. I have however, changed my mind as I've got older...years ago I preferred smaller companies!!!
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Eddie Hitler]

Bigger is defo. better. I worked for a small IT company as shop manager/engineer/salesman. Although its enjoyable at times, running a shop by yourself isnt great. And when you start becoming friends with the boss, you start doing more overtime etc without extra pay.

I would stay in your current job.