There is no doubt that there are different benefits to working for a large and small size company. Neither is right or wrong, it just means you need to adjust the way you deliver your answers to convince the employer that their company is the ideal environment for you. When applying for a role in a large size company, you need to be prepared to answer the common interview question:
Why do you want to work for a large company such as this one?
If you are coming from a much smaller environment, you will need to prove that you can easily adjust to life in a much larger company, and in fact you are looking forward to it. Be prepared to answer:
How do you feel your experience will help you adjust to a large size company?
Take a look at this list of ‘acceptable reasons’ for applying to a large size company and choose one or more of these to develop into your answer.
5 Reasons Why You Want To Work For A Large Size Company
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Room to Grow
Large companies have many different opportunities for an individual to expand their knowledge and work experience within the one company. Individuals can take part in different work functions within their career path or can try different paths for short and longer term placements.
This kind of answer can help you establish that you won’t be leaving after 12 months and that you are interested in personal growth and development. You can also use this answer to highlight other departments you would like to work in or other brands you would like to work on within the one company.
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Local & Overseas Opportunities
Large companies will have offices in other major cities in the country or even overseas. You can use this to develop an answer that shows you are willing to travel and relocate in order to broaden your experience. You can also use it to highlight any other languages you speak that could be useful.
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Availability of Resources
This is a very good argument to use to explain why you want to work for a large company. Large companies are very proud of the resources and facilities they have at their disposal. You can focus your answer on the fact that you are very keen to work in a company that has a lot of technical and intellectual resources at their disposal.
Make sure you mention a broad range of resources such as technical infrastructure, experienced senior staff, highly skilled external agencies etc…. This shows you are broad minded and can see beyond just the huge building and logo.
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Experience & Mentorship
In addition to resources, it is always good to focus part of your answer on people. It shows you are willing to learn form others and implies strong teamwork and interpersonal skills. You can mention the experience and skill of the senior managers within the company and the quality of the external agencies they use especially if you know which ones they are.
This kind of answer also allows you to ask questions about the availability of a mentorship program and how that would work.
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Process & Procedure
One of the key strengths of a large company is that they have a well established system of process and procedure that has been tested and refined.
If you are coming from a small company, it is always good to mention that the lack of effective systems and procedure caused some frustration for you in your role and that you are looking forward to working within a system that has structure in place to ensure a smooth work flow.
Make sure you have a good example ready if they ask you what frustrations you have experienced. Answering that question well will convince the employer you will see the new work environment as an advantage not a frustration.
As you can see, there are many advantages to working in a large size company. If you are asked about this specifically don’t try and list every reason above. Pick 2-3 that work best for you and focus on these and make sure you have a work example that highlights your thoughts in case they pursue this line of questioning further.
Finally, large companies often ask people to make a small presentation during an interview so asses their presentation and problem solving skills. Have a look at the post below to make sure you know how to handle it if you are asked.
Thank you so much. This is very useful.
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Hi Nupur, thanks so much for your feedback. We’re glad you find the tips useful.