Hello, everyone.

This is Enta.

I'm heading to Nagano even though I haven't fully recovered from the fatigue of the festival the other day lol

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But that's beside the point.

A Series on the Pros and Cons of Working for a Major Construction Company vs. a Local Contractor

I'm very familiar with the pros and cons of working for a major company.

Since the local business is still in progress, I can write about that too, lol.

I'm going to try writing down the pros and cons.

I hope this is helpful in some way, lol.

 

Benefits of Working for a Major Company

1. Salaries tend to rise in line with economic trends. (They’re going up like crazy right now, lol.)

2. Experience with general contractor projects.

3. Experience with large-scale construction projects.

4. Working with major general contractors.

5. Learn more about safety.

6. You'll be able to prepare an operational budget.

7. An environment that makes it easy to earn certifications.

8. Above all, stability.

9. There isn't much dirty work.

10. I get to work with older craftsmen.

11. It's easy to take time off.

12. You’ll almost never get to meet the president.

13. You can visit various prefectures.

14. There is a good chance of being rehired after retirement.

15. High creditworthiness with banks (e.g., mortgages)

16. At a mixer, if you mention you work for a major general contractor, it might create a slightly better atmosphere.

17. On site, I can act to some extent based on my own judgment.

18. Develop a solid foundation in computer skills.

19. Learn how to use CAD.

20. Capable of design and cost estimation. (Depends on the person.)

21. You can experience and try out new construction projects.

The Downsides of Working for a Major Company

1. Depending on the department in charge, there are cases where both prime contractor and subcontractor work are managed simultaneously.

2. In some cases, price negotiations are not handled by the field staff (when there is a purchasing department).

3. The operational budget is systematized, and unit prices are standardized, which makes it difficult for operations on the ground to run smoothly.

4. They end up focusing too much on how to deceive their boss and the company in order to secure a budget.

5. There's an insane amount of overtime. (Especially when it comes to internal paperwork.)

6. Internal documentation is complex, and compliance requirements are strict.

7. It's so stable that it makes me anxious.

8. People who volunteer to do the dirty work are seen as idiots by the company. (That was me, lol.)

9. I find it annoying when craftsmen are way too old.

10. It's hard to take time off.

11. Requests and suggestions are rarely granted.

12. A written request is required for any on-site expenditures of 10,000 yen or more.

13. I’m transferred to various prefectures.

14. My former boss became a contract employee, but he still gives orders and expects people to obey—it’s so annoying (I heard this from someone else, lol).

15. In a male-dominated society, there are few opportunities to meet women.

16. I keep getting told to do this and that lol

17. It’s easy to hear complaints like, “The boss picked that craftsman.”

18. I have a boss who’s incredibly stupid. (And yet he acts all high and mighty.)

 

Is this what you had in mind?

Since this job involves both the good and the bad, it’s hard to generalize, but when it comes down to it, what really matters is...

StabilityI suppose so.

That's a big deal. As long as you're working, the stability of the company itself is extremely important.

We small and medium-sized independent contractors are the kind of companies that sway easily at the slightest puff of wind from the big players, lol (though we might put up a bit of a fight?).

 

My recommended order for job hunting is definitely to start with major companies.

You should definitely work at a major company at least once!That way, you can aim higher both in terms of your perspective and your technical skills.

And once you've worked for five to ten years or so, you can decide whether to stay in your hometown or join a major company.

That's more efficient.

Try taking on a really big project and see if it's a good fit for you.

It's easier to adjust to the smaller one, after all.

 

See you later.