Multinational companies are usually perceived as dull and unattractive. The communication is stiff, tasks are assigned not discussed, and the environment is very strict and conservative, leaving little room to creativity. As a result, most people are dreaming of landing a job in a small company, preferably a start-up with a flexible and dynamic culture.



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But, here’s the thing: while it’s true that some large corporations can be pretty boring, this is not a standard that applies to every multinational business. Just look at Adobe, P&G, and Nike – they have been shown to have the best corporate cultures.

So, what should you choose if you’re thinking about a career change? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of working in a multinational company.

Pro: Career Opportunities

One of the biggest benefits of working for a multinational enterprise is that you have access to various opportunities that can help you advance your career. Most large corporations are global and can provide access to jobs around the world.

In fact, according to a recent report, 72% of U.S companies are planning to send more employees to foreign assignments in the next years. Moreover, they’re hiring and favoring bilingual employees over those who can speak only one language, putting them in key positions in the company. So, a marketing executive who can speak German can transfer to a similar position in Europe if the company has offices there.

Con: Conflicts between Teams

The global nature of a multinational enterprise can also turn into a disadvantage, especially when the company has ties with numerous businesses worldwide. Planning a global communication strategy, for instance, will require the combined efforts of teams from different countries.

Since most conversations and collaborations take place via email, it might take a while until you receive feedback to your plan. Not to mention, a lot of contextual and cultural misunderstandings can arise, which can lead to conflicts between teams.

Pro: Diversity of Ideas

One of the best things about working for a large corporation is that you’ll collaborate with people with various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. That way, not only that you get a chance to learn about different perspective, but you can also improve your cross-cultural communication skills.

By working with people who have a different viewpoint than yours, you can come up with creative solutions to some of the most common problems.

Con: Organizational Culture Obstacles

Organizational culture plays a crucial role in the health and prosperity of a company. It refers to the values and norms the employees share and it can have a direct impact on their happiness and productivity.

The problem with multinational companies is that it can be hard to build a cohesive culture among employees with different cultural backgrounds. This situation is best visible in the case of businesses that also operate in foreign markets.

Here’s an example: U.S. employees tend to have a strong work ethic that’s focused on time orientation. Latin workers, on the other hand, value flexibility and work-life balance over time orientation.

These cultural differences can lead to conflicts that can make it difficult for the company to foster a positive culture.
Corporate jobs come with a lot of stigmas. However, you need to look beyond these platitudes and figure out what would benefit you and your career most.