Careers Hub | The workplace battle; corporate vs. startup

Sep 22, 2016

pulse

Table of Contents
    Add a header to begin generating the table of contents

    Most corporate environments have amazing perks, but so do small companies and startups. If you’re looking to secure a new role, it’s important to give some thought as to the type of culture and company size you’re looking for.

    When it comes to the hard facts, Australia is distinct in terms of its high share of small businesses (less than 50 employees) that are start-ups (up to two years old). Australia had the second highest proportion (behind Brazil) of small businesses that are either start-ups or start-ups/young (up to five years) over the 2001–11 period. More than half (54 per cent) of Australian small businesses are aged under five years.

    With that being said, let’s break it down into the pros and cons of small businesses vs the standard corporate environments. Note that these are generally speaking, and don’t apply to every company big or small.

    Small Business/Startups – Pros

    • Opportunity to wear many different hats in the business and get exposure to more opportunities
    • Opportunity to work alongside senior leaders
    • Easier to stand out of the pack (you’re not just a number)
    • Trendy offices
    • Wear more casual attire
    • Friday drinks (yes, a beer at your desk is acceptable)
    • Music playing
    • Career progression
    • Casual environment

    Small Business/Startups – Cons

    • Less financial security (startups have a very high fail rate)
    • There will be many awkward transitions and learning curves
    • No HR rep/support if there are internal issues
    • Minimum processes
    • Smaller budgets
    • Longer hours

    Now let’s take a look at the corporate side…

    Corporate – Pros

    • Large budgets
    • Higher salary
    • Central offices
    • Typically 9-5 hours
    • Structured processes
    • Company stability
    • Experienced leaders

    Corporate – Cons

    • Formal work attire
    • Serious work environment (no music, no Friday drinks)
    • Slower career progression
    • Have to go through many different levels of management before a decision can be made
    • Less autonomy to make decisions
    • Less exposure to senior leaders

    As a whole, large corporations and small businesses/start-ups all have great perks, it just depends on your personality and what will better suit your career goals.

    FROM OUR PULSE NEWS, EMPLOYER AND JOB SEEKER HUBS

    Featured Articles

    What It Takes to Work in Crypto

    The world of crypto, blockchain, and Web3 isn’t just about digital currencies and volatile markets anymore; it’s a rapidly maturing industry that’s reshaping the future of the internet, finance, and beyond. It’s a vast, exciting ecosystem creating entirely new career paths that are both intellectually stimulating and financially rewarding. If you’re watching from the sidelines,…
    How to Secure a Interview in 3 Steps

    The world of tech sales is one of the most exciting, lucrative, and competitive careers in the modern economy. You are the critical bridge between cutting-edge technology and the customer who needs it, blending technical acumen with persuasive communication. But before you can start closing multi-million dollar deals, you have to close the toughest deal…
    5 Must-Ask AI Security Questions

    In today’s era of rapidly advancing AI and cloud technologies, organizations are under growing pressure to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with evolving regulations. The stakes are higher than ever: a data breach involving a compromised AI model or training dataset can lead to crippling fines, significant reputational damage, and a complete loss of…
    Revenue Growth vs. Headcount Growth

    In the final quarter of 2025, a critical tension defines corporate strategy: the pursuit of ambitious revenue targets set against the backdrop of constrained headcount expansion. This isn’t a temporary market blip; it’s a fundamental shift in how successful companies approach scaling. The era of merely adding a body for every $X million in potential…
    The Most in Demand Cyber Roles in 2025

    The cybersecurity job market in 2025 is less about a skills gap and more about a skills shift. As organizations rapidly adopt AI, move entire infrastructures to the cloud, and face increasingly sophisticated, nation-state-level threats, the demand for specialized cyber professionals has exploded. The foundational roles—Security Analysts and Administrators—remain crucial, but the highest-growth opportunities are…
    Which Sales Roles Fits You Best?

    If you’re a mid-to-senior level professional, you know that the world of sales is far more complex than the traditional image of the lone road warrior. Today, the sales ecosystem is a sophisticated machine with specialized roles designed to maximize efficiency and customer value. Moving up often means choosing a path, not just a higher…
    Signs of Growth in the AU SaaS Job Market

    After years of defensive backfilling and managing post-redundancy churn, real, strategic hiring momentum is back in Australia’s SaaS sector. The market has moved from survival mode to strategic build mode, but it remains a highly selective, candidate-driven landscape. For the better part of the last few years, recruitment efforts in the Australian SaaS industry were…
    The Cybersecurity Skills Gap

    In an increasingly digital world, cybersecurity is no longer a luxury—it’s a fundamental necessity. From protecting critical infrastructure to safeguarding personal data, a robust defense is essential for a stable and secure society. Yet, we’re facing a profound and worsening crisis: a persistent and growing shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals. This isn’t just an IT…
    Is Your Sales Resume is Outdated?

    In the digital-first world of recruitment, your resume and LinkedIn profile are your most critical assets. For sales professionals, they’re more than just a list of past jobs; they are your personal marketing and branding tools. You are not just selling a product; you are selling yourself—your skills, your value, and your proven ability to…
    Negotiation as a Science, Not a Showdown

    In the world of B2B and SaaS sales, negotiation is often misunderstood. Too often, it’s imagined as a high-stakes showdown where the most aggressive salesperson wins. But research and practice reveal a very different truth: negotiation is a science, not a battle of wills. The best negotiators do not simply “close deals.” They create sustainable…

    Visit our blog page