Types of employer

Employment sectors

• The public sector includes employers like the Civil Service, the Police and the National Health Service.
• The private sector includes organisations of all sizes, from the big investment banks to the local shop.
• There are non-profit making organisations, such as charities, that employ paid staff.
• You might like to be your own boss and become self-employed.

Sizes of organisation

Large organisations

Large organisations in both the public and private sectors employ fewer middle managers now, and many have limited their graduate recruitment, so the competition for vacancies here is fierce.

Small and medium enterprises

Well over 90% of companies in the UK are small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Medium-sized enterprises (fewer than 250 employees) and small enterprises (fewer than 20) are beginning to employ more graduates and there is a prediction that in the next few years vacancies in this sector will rise to around two million.

Advantages of working for a SME

• You can make your contribution count and your ideas heard.
• You could have responsibility at an early stage of your career.
• You have more chance of a diverse workload and of developing a wide range of skills.
• You could get early promotion and the opportunity to mould your own career.
• There is often a degree of flexibility with regard to working hours.

Disadvantages of working for a SME

• Salaries are usually lower than in large companies or the public sector.
• Benefits such as pension schemes, company car and health club membership may not be in place.
• There is no guarantee of a structured training programme, so you may have to learn on the job - fast.
• There may be no obvious career path or promotion prospects and you may be expected to look after your own career development.
• A SME employing fewer than 22 employees, under UK law, does not have to recognise trade union membership by its employees.

The Prospects website has more information on SMEs.