Big fish or little? Choice is yours

What's the best option: big fish in small pond, or the opposite? Dr MARIE WILSON is associate professor of management at the University of Auckland, research director of the ICEHOUSE business accelerator and a veteran of 20 years in corporate management and small business.

I am a mid-level manager considering two career choices. In one I will be a big fish in a small pond. In the other I will be part of a well-established firm with various exciting projects and opportunities to make important long-term contacts.

Otherwise the jobs are equally appealing, and the money about the same. Any suggestions about which is the better choice, or how I should approach weighing them up?

Your approach to weighing them up really depends on what you value in terms of career development. Being a big fish may allow you a degree of autonomy, control and security that may be just what you are looking for.

It is less likely to offer future career growth or external recognition, but the contribution that you make may be very satisfying, and may assist you in balancing work life with family or other areas of your life.

The little-fish job, on the other hand offers you "exciting projects and opportunities to make important long term contacts".

These are the class of components that you would look for in terms of rapid career advancement. If this is what you are seeking, then the little-fish job might be better.

Either choice is valid, with both benefits and costs. Neither is irreversible, either, so if you choose and decide it doesn't fit, give it a year or two, and try the other path.

It is quite hard for me to admit but I was pretty much eased out of my old job, which is in a fairly small and cliquey industry, because they weren't happy with my results - and I wasn't too happy with them either.

I left with a negotiated settlement but without a job to go to.

Because that company and I didn't work out doesn't mean I have nothing to offer, but I wonder how to handle it in an interview if asked to explain my departure. And because it is a small industry where people talk, I wonder if I would be better to tell the truth or take a risk.

I'm worried this one event might taint my entire CV.

I'd start with discussing this matter with your old boss, and agreeing on an explanation that is both truthful and positive. That way potential employers receive a consistent message about your strengths even though you didn't fit with the old job.

You might prepare for that meeting by thinking through what your strengths and weaknesses were in the previous position, and what contributed to your not-so-hot results (without getting into blaming).

How does that fit with the rest of your career experiences? The experience and learning from it should make you a better performer in future.

In applying for the next position, focus on your overall record and what you have learned, both about the industry and yourself, which makes you confident of your ability to perform in the new role.

Having reflected on the factors that contributed to your performance problems in your previous job, address them or avoid them in your next role.

* E-mail your questions for Dr Marie Wilson to answer.