A Startup Or Stability: What Do Tech Professionals Want?

Survey Reveals 84 Percent of Tech Pros Favor Midsize or Large Companies to Startups

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Sep 17, 2014, 08:10 ET

MENLO PARK, Calif., Sept. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Working at a fast-paced start-up venture may seem exciting, but many information technology (IT) professionals would prefer stability, a new survey by Robert Half Technology shows. Only 16 percent of IT professionals polled said they would seek out work at a startup if given the choice. Instead, a majority (60 percent) of respondents said they would prefer working at a midsize firm, primarily because they believe these businesses provide structure and stability, and also the opportunity to innovate. Nearly a quarter (24 percent) would choose to make their living at a large company.

The survey was developed and conducted by Robert Half Technology, a leading provider of IT professionals on a project and full-time basis, and includes responses from more than 2,300 IT workers in North America.

IT professionals were asked, "If you had your pick of employers, would you prefer to work at a startup, midsize or large firm?" Their responses:

Midsize firm	60%
Large firm	24%
Startup	16%
	100%

The 60 percent of respondents who said they would prefer working at a midsize firm gave the following reasons for their choice:

Structure and stability, but still opportunity to innovate	51%
More opportunity for career growth	26%
Enjoy corporate culture of midsize firm	17%
Better earnings potential	5%
Other	1%
	100%

View infographics with additional details: midsize firm, large firm, startup, all firms.

"There's no right answer when it comes to the ideal work environment," said John Reed, senior executive director of Robert Half Technology. "Each type of company has advantages and disadvantages. The challenge can be choosing the best one for you when you haven't necessarily experienced all of them -- or any of them -- which is often the case with new graduates."

Robert Half Technology offers five considerations for IT professionals to keep in mind when evaluating which size company suits them best:

Consideration	Large Firm	Midsize Firm	Startup
1. Structure	Formal and potentially complex structure and processes	Some structure, but it may evolve quickly as the company grows	Loose structure; ability for company to adapt easily to change
2. Autonomy	May be more hierarchical; less direct influence over business decisions	A more compressed leadership structure but still oversight from management	Minimal direct oversight; collaborative work environment
3. Professional development	Defined career paths, formal training programs	May rely on outside sources/conferences for training	Employees may learn more by doing than formal training
4. Stability	Stable; change is incremental	Regular change but heavily managed	Change happens quickly and often
5. Pay	Standardized tiered pay scale; established bonus program, extensive benefits	Structured pay scale; comprehensive benefits	Variable pay and benefits with long-term view on equity potential
Note: These are typical characteristics of firms of each size, but they may vary according to the individual business.

Added Reed, "Regardless of the company size, the key is to find an organization that encourages professional growth. Job seekers should look for opportunities that build upon their strengths and skill sets while broadening their industry knowledge. For new graduates, it's helpful to network and seek out informational interviews at many different types of companies to determine the best fit for their personality and learning style."

About Robert Half Technology

With more than 100 locations worldwide, Robert Half Technology is a leading provider of technology professionals for initiatives ranging from web development and multiplatform systems integration to network security and technical support. Robert Half Technology offers online job search services at rht.com. Follow Robert Half Technology at twitter.com/RobertHalfTech or visit our technology blog at blog.rht.com.

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SOURCE Robert Half Technology