By Steven Ginsberg
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, January 12, 1998; Page F07

Here's your choice: Join the giant, world-renowned corporation that comes with a numbered parking space or sign up with the small, mom-and-pop company that offers a microwave and a refrigerator instead of a cafeteria.

To go corporate or to not go corporate, that is the question.

When looking for a new job, the option of working for a large corporation or a small, independent firm often arises. Making that choice is not easy.

Despite the impersonal, even hostile images that corporations sometimes evoke, they also offer employees a number of attractive features, including a strong support network, extensive resources, strong benefit plans and high salaries.

But working for the little guy down the street also has its pluses. Smaller firms give employees a chance to play a major role from the get-go, work in a less bureaucratic, less politicized atmosphere and distinguish themselves quickly.

So the decision really depends on which type of environment you want to work in. What you need to be aware of from a career perspective is that it can be hard to switch from one to the other, both personally and professionally. This is especially true if you're switching from a small outfit to a large one.

To find out the advantages and disadvantages of each, we consulted with experts from various industries.

The Equation for Accountants

In the accounting field, as in other professions, the biggest difference is in the type of work you get to do.

"In a larger firm you see much more in the way of specific scenarios," said Arthur Auerback CPA, who owns his own company in Vienna and used to work for Bethesda-based Councilor, Buchanan and Mitchell. "In a smaller firm, you get a much broader aspect of dealing with clients."

Clients are handled by the entire firm at large corporations, thus accountants generally become specialists. They perform one function for clients, such as setting up a retirement plan, while that client's other needs are siphoned off to other members of the firm. Because of this structure, accountants can become compartmentalized and frustrated, Auerback said.

At smaller firms, the accountant-client relationship is much more direct, with the CPA dealing with any and all client needs, Auerback said. Therefore, in addition to being well-rounded accountants, those who choose to work at small firms need strong communication skills.

Accountants who enlist at smaller firms are "thrown into the fire" with very little experience -- which can be welcome or frightening, depending on your ability and personality. Either way, they are given the opportunity to move up the ranks fairly quickly.

But smaller firms can be limiting. Training, mentoring and wages rarely are on par with corporations. Additionally, small outfits normally draw small clients, so the magnitude of money and scope of issues dealt with can be far less dynamic than at large companies. And for those who have dreams of ending up at one of the Big Six firms, it's much harder to hook on with a corporation after working for a small company than vice versa, Auerback said.

Retailing's Tough Sell

Many of the same issues arise in the world of retailing. Getting in on the ground floor with a major department store can be the first step on a solid career path, but distinguishing yourself at an independent boutique can quickly provide you with loads of experience.

When deciding between the two, consider this: The main advantage department stores offer is the opportunity to dip into many facets of the business and pursue a career in any one of them.

For example, at Hecht's, employees who start in the buying arm of the company are able to participate in the buying process, sales promotion and even writing copy for advertisements, said Nancy Chistolini, senior vice president of fashion and public relations. Furthermore, if employees find that they don't like buying, they can switch over and try their hand at running a specific department, Chistolini said.

The primary advantage of working at a boutique, on the other hand, is that you have the opportunity not just to be exposed to everything, but to make an impact right from the start. For career-oriented workers, that can be a big plus. Imagine just finishing school and having the chance to buy goods, lay out merchandise and manage a small staff, and it's easy to see why this is an attractive path.

"If you work for a small company and you're on the ball, you can be noticed faster for sure," Chistolini said.

Although Hecht's will hire managers from outside, the company prefers to promote from within, she said.

While large stores can provide a lot of chances to jump around and a number of advancement avenues, they also come with a lot of bureaucracy, Chistolini said.

"You can't always make things happen as quickly as you could in a boutique. And you won't have as much say as you think you should have, which is probably more true as you move up the ladder."

A Cradle of Negotiation

But what about occupations such as professional nanny, in which the choice is between working for a company (of any size) and independent contracting?

In the Washington region the demand for nannies far outweighs the supply, so the choice largely falls to individual preference.

There are many benefits of working through a nanny agency. They use character profiles to match workers with families, provide a support system if problems arise and don't cost the nannies a cent.

"There's zero downside to using an agency," said Barbara Kline, owner of White House Nannies Inc. in Bethesda. "We have access to clientele you wouldn't otherwise see, we're very good about getting fair wages and we help them secure health insurance and other benefits."

Agencies also can be particularly helpful to immigrants who might not be as familiar with the specifics of landing a job and securing a salary and benefits.

So, what nanny agencies provide is a place to turn to, a safety net if something goes wrong. But they aren't imperative.

Going it on your own, which amounts to answering an ad in the newspaper, is attractive for many reasons. First-time nannies often take this route because they have little information to give companies for their character profiles, which can put them at a competitive disadvantage. Also, many nannies (and families) find one-on-one interviews much more personal than having a company looking over their shoulders.

And those who go solo have more freedom to negotiate their salaries, whereas those who use agencies usually fall into a salary range based on experience. Since the need is so great in Washington, this can be an especially pleasing perk because families are willing to pay more for a good nanny.

If you have questions about getting ahead, you can e-mail Steven Ginsberg at ginsbergs@washpost.com