5 Tips for Applying to Small Companies
Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2025 5:40 am
We are often blinded by big brands and large corporations during our job search as we believe these companies will offer more opportunities. Graduates for example tend to feel obliged to apply for graduate schemes rather than jobs at smaller companies. But the reality is that your talents and skills can be far more appreciated in a small company and opportunities to progress, as well as witness what goes on behind the scenes of a business, are far greater. So it’s worth applying to smaller companies so you can receive more recognition and support in your career development. But it’s important to recognise that applying to a small company requires a different method than you would use for a large company, so here are our top tips.
1. Be Selective
It can be tempting during your job search to apply for everything and anything, but when applying to smaller companies it’s extremely important to know the company you’re applying for. Therefore you must target companies you united kingdom phone number resource actually want to work for and will have to research them so you know the company inside & out. The owner of the business will not appreciate an application or interviewee who clearly lacks the knowledge and passion for his/her company. So rather than applying to a great number of jobs you don’t really care about, be selective and really think about why you would like to work at each company.
2. Familiarise Yourself
You need prove that it is this specific role in this particular business that you want, not just a job. Therefore as well as making sure you’re up to scratch on the background and latest news of the company, it will certainly be worth trying to get to know the company through its employees. Use social media to reach out to current staff, join company profiles/pages and find out if anyone you currently know has any relevant contacts. If you manage to get a referral from somebody the owner or an employee at the company trusts, this could significantly aid you in the interview, and it may even lead to you achieving the job.
3. Be Ready
All new employees require some form of training when they take on a new role, but training requires your manager’s time, effort and money. In truth, training is a laborious process therefore you’ll find that most managers will prefer to hire somebody who will require as little as possible. To be the ideal candidate, particularly for a small company with less resources to spare, you must be confident in your ability to handle the role and show your initiative to the employer. This will help them to feel reassured of your ability and know that you’ll take a proactive approach as soon as you start.
1. Be Selective
It can be tempting during your job search to apply for everything and anything, but when applying to smaller companies it’s extremely important to know the company you’re applying for. Therefore you must target companies you united kingdom phone number resource actually want to work for and will have to research them so you know the company inside & out. The owner of the business will not appreciate an application or interviewee who clearly lacks the knowledge and passion for his/her company. So rather than applying to a great number of jobs you don’t really care about, be selective and really think about why you would like to work at each company.
2. Familiarise Yourself
You need prove that it is this specific role in this particular business that you want, not just a job. Therefore as well as making sure you’re up to scratch on the background and latest news of the company, it will certainly be worth trying to get to know the company through its employees. Use social media to reach out to current staff, join company profiles/pages and find out if anyone you currently know has any relevant contacts. If you manage to get a referral from somebody the owner or an employee at the company trusts, this could significantly aid you in the interview, and it may even lead to you achieving the job.
3. Be Ready
All new employees require some form of training when they take on a new role, but training requires your manager’s time, effort and money. In truth, training is a laborious process therefore you’ll find that most managers will prefer to hire somebody who will require as little as possible. To be the ideal candidate, particularly for a small company with less resources to spare, you must be confident in your ability to handle the role and show your initiative to the employer. This will help them to feel reassured of your ability and know that you’ll take a proactive approach as soon as you start.