Pros
This is a small company, and the pros/cons are pretty typical of a small business. I came here after working for a Fortune 50 company with thousands of employees, so I feel I am able to make a more informed comparison of large & small companies. A small company is not for everyone, but I personally value what I get from this work environment that I could not get at a corporation. My pros are as follow: My ideas are heard, valued, and sought after. Even if they’re not always used, my ideas are always a welcome input or building block. If they’re amazing, they’re implemented; if they’re bad we work to make them better or there is a logical reason not to implement them. But I never feel that I am not heard/respected. What I do has a marked effect on the company, its success, and my own happiness. My pay is justified by what I can do and what I bring to the table. It can be stressful knowing that you are held accountable to that level, but I prefer it to being lumped in with everyone else. The management knows what it wants, and they are experts in what they do. They do not ask anyone to do anything they would not do themselves. They have your back and are willing to help whenever you need them. I have had other jobs in which the management pawns off what they don’t want to do and call that Management. You are expected to be self-sufficient and find a lot of answers for yourself. They will not micromanage you and give you the answer to every question you have. You have to use your brain. There is not a set list of tasks that you come in and work on for 8 hours. There are new challenges each day and you are expected to work proactively to find solutions rather than sit around for someone to tell you what to do. Rather than sit in a cubicle farm and do mindless work, I use my brain all day, every day. This is not for everyone, but I definitely prefer it. Lastly, this company is ridiculously honest. If you don’t meet expectations, they will let you know. If you make a big mistake, they do not sugar coat it. If you make a small mistake, they work to correct the root of the problem before it turns into bigger issues. But they are always willing to work with you to help you and will not leave you out to dry. But since they’re honest, you do need a thick-ish skin, or else you will feel like they’re attacking you personally. They hold everyone accountable to the same standards.
Cons
There is not a formal training period. They will give you all the tools and training you need, but this is not the type of company which consists of a 3 week training period where you are taught everything in exhaustive detail. You will never be asked to do anything you were not trained on, but a lot of your success depends not on the training, but on things you cannot be taught. Common sense, drive, introspection, accountability, and resourcefulness are key to being happy here. If you do not have these, you will be miserable here. But if you do have these, and you do like using them, this company is fun to work for. Starting pay is not great. But again, this is not a cube farm where your performance gets lumped in with the 1000 other people at the company. If you earn more money for the company, you get paid more. And as a small business, there are so many ways to contribute. If you can’t find a process to improve, a new product to sell, or a promotion to run, then you’re simply not trying. That being said, they pay enough to where I am not eating Ramen (not that there’s anything wrong with that), and I feel that the job satisfaction I get from my position outweigh the higher pay & benefits of a large company.