ADAPTING TO A CHANGING WORLD
JOINING AN MNC VS SME VS START-UP Understand how the size of the company you join can offer different possibilities for your graduate career.
W
hether you join a multinational corporation (MNC), small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) or a start-up right upon graduation, you will have to adapt to the unique culture in each company. However, there are some general characteristics for each type of organisation which you can consider, in order to determine the exposure you would like as a fresh graduate.
Multinational corporations MNCs are large corporations with facilities and offices in several countries across continents or the globe. With operations spread out geographically, MNCs enjoy higher revenue with greater market share.
Pros of working in MNCs • Prestige and reputation MNCs usually have strong brand recognition and many graduates compete for coveted job opportunities in these reputable companies. • Global opportunities Joining an MNC gives you the opportunity to work around the world. Your employer may require you to go for a business visit or even relocate to another country where the organisation has a presence. This can give you an insight into diverse working cultures and the experience of working with people of different backgrounds and nationalities. • Mastering your own trade You are more likely to get the chance to specialise in your area of work in a bigger company; job scopes tend to be quite fixed in comparison to those in smaller companies where employees are often expected to perform cross-functional tasks. In short, a bigger company can offer specialised job scopes with more resources for training and upskilling opportunities.
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Things to consider • Bureaucracy Organisational structures and workflows, such as standard operating procedures (SOPs), can be quite rigid in large companies. There is less flexibility in work processes, coupled with multiple levels of management which you will need to deal with. For instance, you may have to wait for several rounds of approval from different managers before implementing a business proposal or settling a financial claim. • Competition to get the job Jobs in MNCs are not only sought-after by fresh graduates, but also by jobseekers with years of work experience as well. The recruitment process can be quite competitive, so make sure you present a strong unique selling proposition to prospective employers for a successful application.
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