StepStone: What does talent find attractive in small vs large-scale employers?

A steep career in an internationally-renowned conglomerate or a job with an unknown employer from the middle class? Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a maximum of 500 employees, as well as companies with significantly larger workforces, both have their advantages. 

But what do specialists at these respective companies value? 

StepStone asked this question to a total of 19,000 specialists and executives and analyzed the advantages that medium-sized companies offer from the point of view of their employees - and why, on the other hand, specialists consciously opt for a career in larger companies. The most important results at a glance: 

Salary

When it comes to achieving the highest possible salary, big companies clearly score points over smaller employers. According to a StepStone analysis of the salaries of 200,000 specialists and executives, companies with more than 500 employees pay on average around 26 percent more in salary than smaller companies. These different earning possibilities have long been known to employees - thus, 38 percent of all interviewed professionals have already decided against applying to a medium-sized company, as larger ones pay better. Nearly every second respondent who works in a large company sees an attractive salary as a clear advantage for employers. 

Flat hierarchies

Professionals who want a high degree of individual freedom in their job may feel better in a medium-sized company: 38 percent of all respondents employed by an SME particularly appreciate the flat hierarchies in their company. In large companies, only 22 percent believe that their employer maintains successful flat hierarchies. 

International environment

Anyone interested in working in a group obviously has a great interest in working internationally. In any case, the results of the StepStone analysis indicate the same. Above all, 38 percent of Group employees value the international environment in their job. Smaller and mid-sized companies cannot always offer this to their employees - as the analysis shows, only one in five employees of an SME enjoys international work at their job. 

Cozy working atmosphere

Specialists and executives who are employed in a company with fewer than 500 employees regard the close-knit working climate of their employer as a big plus - four out of ten respondents emphasize this aspect. By contrast, only 23 percent of large companies say that their employer is characterized by a family-esque atmosphere.  

Additional services

The fact that more funds are available to large companies for their employees is also made clear when looking at the range of additional services such as company pension plans or a day-care center. While 34 percent of corporate employees value these additional benefits from their employer, only 19 percent of middle-sized respondents believe that their employer stands out with special additional benefits.

"Whether it's a large corporation or a small family business: In times of a shortage of skilled workers, all companies are basically in a tough competitive battle for the right people. Anyone who wants to assert himself in this 'War for Talent' must build up an attractive employer brand and integrate his advantages into the candidate approach. Professionals are not looking for a job, but their dream job. Companies must therefore be able to clearly show them why it pays to work for them in the job ad."

André Schaefer, Career Expert, StepStone

Join us November 13-15 for the Property Portal Watch Conference Madrid 2019.