We&#x27;re on the same page here.<p>I don&#x27;t work at a big company, I work at an established one. The key factor is that they&#x27;re not still trying to validate their business plan, not the size. I want one that&#x27;s been around for at least ten years. Less than that and I have to ascertain for myself whether the company&#x27;s going to be around long enough for me to get what I went in there for.<p>The goal here is mitigating existential risk to your employment situation. There&#x27;s outside risk, the chances of your company going under, and internal risk, the chances of getting fired or laid off before you&#x27;ve accomplished your goals.<p>Working at an established company mitigates external risk, working at a small one helps mitigate internal risk because you can get to know your company very well and keep alive to shifts in politics. For me, the small, established company is ideal. I work at such a company now and will only jump to a similar company for a significantly higher salary. Small bumps aren&#x27;t worth the switching costs.