When it comes to making your next career move, big doesn’t necessarily mean better. The truth is that different sized businesses have a multitude of varying benefits, and it’s not until you’ve considered these benefits that you’ll know what size company you should be working at.

Size matters – understanding the benefits

Larger companies are often able to offer a better overall bonus package (including budget for learning and development, health insurance, bonus pay and so on), better opportunities for networking, greater job security, greater options for global mobility and more established ways of working (e.g. company expenses, new business processes etc.). Smaller businesses, on the other hand, are likely to offer more regular promotions, greater professional responsibility, more access to senior personnel and, a lot of the time, a more congenial atmosphere.

Which of these benefits most appeal to you? Consider the below five questions to help prioritise these benefits and, subsequently, bring some clarity to your career planning. Some of these questions are introspective, but those that aren’t should be central to the structuring of your job interview; while you should also weave in these killer questions my colleague wrote about previously. Read more

Most of us have been involved with our fair share of bad campaigns. A few people would argue that there’s a couple taking place right now, concluding with the general election this Thursday.

Often, however, there’s not enough reflection done after a bad campaign and the same mistakes are made again the next time round. We’re all quite quick to pat ourselves on the back once one has been executed successfully, but when the opposite happens there’s a lot of finger pointing and shirking responsibility. One campaign should always help inform the next one; there are always lessons to be learned.

Use the below six pointers as an action plan to ensure your campaign runs smoothly – helping to avoid any Dianne Abott-type gaffes along the way. Read more

If you’re not working and you’re looking for a new job in marketing, staying positive and motivated is especially important. The longer it takes and the more knock-backs you receive, the harder it can become. But with perseverance comes reward – and maybe the job of your dreams!

Use these tips to help you stay confident and motivated in your job search. Read more

I saw an interesting quote attributed to the Carnegie Foundation doing the rounds on LinkedIn recently that got me thinking. It read: “85% of your financial success is due to your personality and ability to communicate, negotiate and lead. Shockingly, only 15% is due to technical knowledge”. This statistic is a favourite of salesmen, but I also think it’s a great way to approach job interviews.

Doing your homework in advance of the interview is of course mandatory if you’re looking to impress, however what’s just as important, but greatly underappreciated, is your ability to develop the interview into more of a mutual exchange of ideas and passion points.

Unless you’re applying to be a neurosurgeon the reality is that there’s probably a handful of other people who are, on paper, just as qualified for the role as you are. What’s going to separate you from the crowd is being able to establish a connection with the interviewer.

This isn’t to say CVs are obsolete, although an increasing number of companies are doing away with them, but that they are merely an opportunity to get your foot in the door so that you can convey your full suitability and enthusiasm for the role at the next stage: interview. Read more