Dear Thisisanonymous,
Working for a small and big company, both have advantages and disadvantages.
If the small company grows then you will have an opportunity to acquire the designation of the senior management earlier. Since the strength of the employees is too less, generally the working style is flexible.
On the downside, the systems and processes in the small companies are not stabilised. There may not well-defined SOPs, Policies etc. Most of the time, the work is done by giving oral instructions. The kind of documentation a company should have may or may not be there. Going further, if you work in the company that has just 4 employees then the company may not provide PF/ESI benefits. In case, if you are a woman employee then you will not be eligible for maternity leave.
In contrast, in the bigger companies, the systems and processes are expected to be well-defined. There is, of course, an advantage to work in such a company. If these procedures, if imbibed well, you will be able to replicate these in your future jobs too. Secondly, there will be the advantage of getting statutory benefits like PF, ESI, gratuity etc. Thirdly, you might get a chance to work under a dynamic manager. By just imitating the management style of this manager, you can learn a lot. Fourthly, there is a possibility of working in some other department also. God knows what opportunity might come in your path. Fifthly, there is a possibility of getting awards like "employee of the year" etc. Sixthly, you might get a chance to interact with MBAs from the other disciplines like HR, Finance etc. The interaction with them could prove knowledge-enriching. Lastly, there is always the advantage of working in a branded company. Each day spent in such company adds a value to your CV.
The downside of working in a bigger company is akin to become a fish in the sea. However big you may be, the sea will be always far bigger, deeper, wider and so on.
Therefore, both sides have advantages and disadvantages. The final call is going to be yours.
All the best!
Dinesh Divekar