Targeting Small vs.Large Companies Directly in My Job Search?

Key Concepts:

• Boss Hunting: Actively seeking out and interviewing with specific managers or leaders within a company.
• Amoeba Effect/Bifurcating Divisions: The process of a company's responsibilities and roles splitting and evolving as it grows.
• Fit: The alignment of a candidate's skills, experience, and values with the company's needs and culture.

Boss Hunting in Large Corporations

The speaker asserts that "boss hunting" is a viable strategy in large corporations like Google and Apple. He claims to know individuals who successfully use this approach to secure interviews. The key point here is that large companies, despite their size, are not immune to individuals directly targeting specific leaders for potential opportunities.

Flexibility and Malleable Positions in Small Companies

Small companies offer a different advantage: flexibility. They are more likely to have positions that are "malleable," meaning the responsibilities and job descriptions can be adjusted to fit the right candidate. This is described as the "amoeba effect" or "bifurcating divisions," where responsibilities split and evolve as the company grows. The speaker emphasizes that as small companies grow, they tend to divide responsibilities among different people.

Comparing Large and Small Companies

The speaker avoids definitively stating that one type of company is inherently better than the other. The choice depends on individual circumstances and goals.

The Importance of Demonstrated Growth Experience

The speaker highlights the value of experience in growing a small company. Someone who has successfully taken a company from $10 million to $50 million in revenue and is targeting a $15 million company has a high likelihood of securing an interview. This is contingent on the candidate possessing the "goods," meaning the relevant skills and experience.

The Significance of "Fit"

Ultimately, the speaker emphasizes the importance of "fit." Regardless of the company size, the alignment of a candidate's skills, experience, and values with the company's needs and culture is crucial for success.

Conclusion

The speaker suggests that both large and small companies offer unique opportunities. Large companies are susceptible to "boss hunting," while small companies offer more flexibility in job roles. Demonstrated experience in growing a small company is highly valued. However, the ultimate determining factor is the "fit" between the candidate and the company.