Choosing the right company

There's a vast range of potential employers out there, from small start-ups to the biggest multinationals. Which type best suits you is for you to decide, based on your personality, your likes and dislikes and, of course, your experience. If you're unsure, take the time to do as much research as you can.

Get on your favourite search engine and check out terms like 'FTSE 100' for the big boys, 'best employers' for lists of companies with the top working conditions, or specialist terms that apply to you like 'single mother' or 'multi-lingual employees'. Use your imagination and don't forget to ask around friends and relatives for ideas on companies they either work for or with to see if they can think of any that might suit you.

There are three main types of businesses that you can work for in the private sector, each with it's own pros and cons:

• Small companies
Due to their smaller revenues and profits, pay and benefits are often lower in smaller companies. You may also be working in a less secure environment as the business doesn't have the stability to think in the long term. Many small business owners tend to micro-manage their operations, finding it hard to let go and delegate responsibility.

On the other hand, you'll almost certainly have more involvement in a wider range of tasks than in a bigger company, along with the chance of quick promotion if you prove yourself. Working for a small company is also an excellent way of acquiring new, transferable skills.

• Medium sized companies
You can expect to receive better benefits than in a small company, such as health care or a contributory pension. With a relatively small number of employees, there is often more flexibility in their pay structure so they can individually tailor financial packages. Medium sized businesses will be acutely aware of their bottom line, making hiring and firing decisions on the basis of clear financial goals.

They can be very demanding employees, with a high expectation that you will do whatever it takes, including long hours and changing levels of responsibility. There will be opportunities to put variety into your work, but not as much as in a small company. Often, due to the shallow organisational structure, the potential for advancement is very limited.

• Large companies
The biggest plus with a large company is usually security and benefits, together with ample opportunity to move your career in the direction you want. Due to the large number of employees they have to look after, pay structures are often quite strict although due to their large financial backing, the starting wages are usually very generous.

They can be more impersonal and bureaucratic and lack the sense of a common goal or being part of a team that smaller companies offer. Large companies tend to hire people with specific skills to fit into specific roles, so don't expect a lot of variety in your role.

If you are at all unsure about what you're getting into, it's a good idea to arrange a trial period before committing yourself. An internship or temporary position offers the perfect opportunity to get a feel for people and the company. Part-time work is also an option, as it gives you the chance to try out two companies at once.

Alongside these groups, charities and public sector organisations also operate, again with their own pros and cons. One thing you will find when working for this type of business is that every penny spent must be justified, as they are ultimately accountable to people making charitable donations or the taxpayer.

Staying out of trouble
There are good places to work and there are awful places to work. Big companies with sexy offices can act as a smokescreen for a ferociously competitive business that you might find intimidating. Ask around, do your research and use your common sense.

Never be afraid to follow your instincts if a company doesn't feel right. You'll have to live with your decision if you get it wrong, so learn to read the warning signs. What happened to your predecessor? Promotion or P45? Watch how your interviewers behave during your meeting - if there's tension in the air, it might be the sign of things to come.

Right company, wrong location
If you're willing to cast your net wide in the search for the right employer, you may come across the perfect match, but at the other end of the country. Relocating for work is a big decision for anyone, but if you value your career and want to make the most of every opportunity, then it may be a necessary step. The Internet has made it easy to stay in contact with your friends, and you're likely to make many more in your new surroundings.

Choosing your first job

The job market is a wide world of opportunities and challenges, ready and waiting for you to make your mark. The first thing is work out what you would like to do, based on your interests and skills. Make positive decisions, and don't take the first job that comes your way if it doesn't suit you.

Chop and change
Don't worry that you are committing yourself for life when you take a job. Those days are long gone. Always keep an open mind and look for potential career development opportunities.

To make a good career choice, you need:

• A clear understanding of yourself: skills, hopes, ambitions, personality and limitations
• A good understanding of the range of career routes available
• The ability to match your skills with the opportunities out there
• Awareness of your circumstances, including debt and family pressures

Accurate self-assessment is essential in creating a convincing CV, handling job applications and interviewing well.

It's all about the experience
Everyone needs to start somewhere, so don't expect to walk straight into a management role, no matter how good your qualifications. Be prepared to work your way up the ladder, and never miss the chance to chat to colleagues and learn from them about the different opportunities on offer.

If you're not having much luck getting into the role you want, work experience and temping are great ways to get your foot in the door. Work placements are respected by potential employers as they prove that you've got initiative, and both placements and temping are no-strings attached, so it's easy to move if something bigger and better comes up.

While you're on a short-term contract, have a nose around the organisation and see the bones behind various jobs. See if you can shadow other roles to see what they're about before you commit yourself. You may be pleasantly surprised. To find out what your potential future employers are looking for speak to your HR department to see the kind of boxes they aim to tick when CVs and applications come in.

Placements can often turn into full time jobs, so make the most of the opportunity to impress. Even if your contract isn't extended, they may remember you when a position becomes available in the future.

Once you've found an industry and company that appeals to you, start searching and applying for jobs immediately. If there is nothing available, it's always worth writing prospective letters to companies to see if there are any roles available that aren't currently advertised that would be suitable for someone with your skills.

Choosing your employer – there is a choice
There are various things that differentiate employers, and not just the industry they operate in. Number of employees, office culture, ownership, management structures and staff development are all key areas you should look into when deciding your ideal employer.

Everyone is different when it comes to the type of environment they'd like to work in, so decide your criteria and check out the companies that offer a good match.

When you're searching through job adverts, measure each against these points to give you an idea of what the company is like:

• Style: Who wrote the material and why? View this as the organisational equivalent of a CV. Does it capture your attention or come across as dull?
• Depth: How much detail are you being given? Do they mention specific goals you would be working towards or just give you an overall view of your responsibilities?
• Omissions: Is there anything about the company they don't tell you? Use the Internet to find out all you can about the organisation. They rarely tell the whole story in recruitment communications.
• Frequency: Regular jobs adverts from the same company often suggest high rates of staff turnover which could be a sign that it's one to avoid.

Keep your eyes open as you search for new jobs and never miss an opportunity to chat to friends and colleagues about possible openings. You never know what might turn up.