Big brands may pay better, but you’ll grow more somewhere smaller
What you need to know:
No one told us about the dynamics of the job market, that we needed several pairs of shoes just to tarmac with.
In my office, out of ten employees, only one is doing what they studied. The rest of them work from passion and desire, which says a lot.
One reason for the big disconnect between education and the labour market is the paucity of graduates who understand marketing.
It is not that we have so little time but that we lose so much. The life we receive is not short but we make it so; we are not ill provided but use what we have wastefully.
- Seneca, On the Shortness of Life
The words above would not be far from the perfect description of young people today. Whether they are holders of degrees, diplomas, college certificates or even secondary school certificates, all have the same baseline characteristic. They waste countless opportunities seeking time because they view their lives as lacking enough of it.
Every single person desires the perfect job. Every intrapreneur seeks the best firm to work for, and every entrepreneur seeks the best employees to work with.
When I graduated, I believed the world owed me a favour. I had a law degree, and diplomas in finance, economic analysis, entrepreneurship, ICT and project management. I was the best next thing.
Given my educational background, I never really understood why my peers complained they couldn't get jobs. I was a peacock that life needed to teach a lesson about employment. Going through school, we were told to work hard, become number one and get a good job.
No one told us about the dynamics of the job market, that we needed several pairs of shoes just to tarmac with. I wasn't ready for the fact that my papers meant nothing if I didn’t embrace the goals of potential employers. From my experiences finding and working in jobs, here are some things every potential employee should understand.
First, getting a job with a big brand or a multinational and getting a job in a start-up or SME were worlds apart. The big brands paid better, had awesome offices and big perks, and made you walk with a bounce in your step. This happened to me when I worked in the legal department at Kenya Shell.
ACCESS TO TALENT
What big brands are less good at doing is nurturing experience and talent. The corporation is too big to notice just who you are, and it’s the worst comfort zone for any fresh graduate to be in. On the other hand, SMEs or start-ups offer a harsher start that develops talent better. Unfortunately, many of us eschew such firms.
Second, the big brands will lull you into a comfort zone, with a salary that comes like clockwork on a certain date every month. For SMEs, the challenges of paying salaries are real; you’ll be lucky to get your salary consistently for even two months in a row.
This experience is key to recognising and igniting latent talent that lies within employees who need certain environments to blossom.
The third important aspect to consider when signing that contract is whether you will have access to the best talent within that organisation in order to nurture your own. Will you be mentored one-on-one, or in a pool of people whose interests are as different as day and night from yours?
In my office, out of ten employees, only one is doing what they studied. The rest of them work from passion and desire, which says a lot. To progress in one's career, the ability to learn, make mistakes and be mentored is essential.
LEARN MARKETING
We all have bills to pay at the end of the day. If money is the sole focal point of your career, no growth will be achieved, and lasting in that organisation cannot be guaranteed. It is always about the value we add to our organisation versus what we get in return, beyond the mandatory salaries and wages.
Fourth, remember that marketing is the basic denominator in every business, job or organisation. In a big brand, the organisation will have an exclusive marketing department. You will likely only be needed for your specific role, which might not work in your favour.
One reason for the big disconnect between education and the labour market is the paucity of graduates who understand marketing. Business is about attracting clients, be it for a hospital, law firm or restaurant. This is where additional training to enhance your papers is needed.
Those working in a small firm will know what I am talking about. Your job description has myriad roles, from customer service to marketing to accounts. Small firms are perfect training grounds for talent and experience, despite the challenges they might have.
Before signing a contract and accepting the job, consider these things to ensure that as you earn, you actually grow.
Twitter: @SokoAnalyst
