After 2 years of doing Affiliate marketing and SEM, I decided that I'd like a steady paycheck, and I started applying for jobs in the SEM industry. I got two interviews lined up, and that got me thinking 'what if' I got both job offers. One is a top 5 global company full service advertising agency, so my role would be in the online arena only. The campaigns would be for big clients, such as Ford, Kaiser Permanente, etc. It's in SF, and I would have to consider relocating, or going through a long commute every day. The other is a local (San Jose, CA) , but its a small(not quite sure maybe 100 employees) internet marketing company whose niche market is hotels. Correct if I'm wrong but hotels to me is a pretty high stakes game, so I'd learn a lot about SEM in a competitive niche, which I'm sure I'd be able to translate into other niches on my own time. I like the idea of working for a big company, at the same time I abhorr it. Too stiff, you're a small cog in a big machine, moving up might take a while. on the other hand, pay is probably better, and the challenges and resources can be helpful too. OTOH, I'm an entrepreneur and the small scale (but still bigger than my one man operation) seems more likeable to me. Ultimately, it really depends on the person(me) and the companies in question, so my question goes back to the nuts and bolts - what are the advantages and disadvantages regarding learning/applying SEM in a big company vs a small niche one? Thanks!
Really depends on what direction you want to go and what you prefer. I've done both, but the smaller company I worked for was much smaller and I was the only leg of their online marketing efforts. I have to say, working for a big SEO/online agency, you get to see a lot of tactics of how to streamline operations and you can play with "big money", testing, tracking and seeing what works/doesn't work. Little company means smaller budget, but more flexibility and faster turn-around on new directions you want to take. Also, working for a large company, you can see SEO on all fronts, not just the one with Hotels. Hotels is a competitive arena, but you said the large company works with Ford and Kaiser, both niches (cars and health insurance) which are pretty competitive in their own rights. One of the best tools I learned while working with the large company was how to work with other departments. I'd start a project from concept/idea (flow charts) to site structure (URLs and flows) to design phase/SEO implementation to final phase and link building. Really helped me understand how to project manage, which is great to learn when you're trying to deal with 10 projects at a time. Kinda like outsourcing, but within your own company.
Hi, I agree with Voasi. But you might want to take into consideration several things before deciding. Big Company: 1. Better pay 2. Better work resources 3. You might have to shift or get a new home. 4. Travelling too much will be a pain. Small Company: 1. Smaller and more flexible in working. 2. NO pain of travellign much will save a lot gas or otherwise will save expenses. So its you who have to decide. I voted for a Big advertising company as that will help your potential and later on when you shift job you will be much recognised and pay scale will better provided when you shift to another big company. Also best of luck with your interview.