MiddletownJournal.com

When job-hunting, it pays to think small; that is, if you believe government statistics. The Small Business Administration estimates that of the 27.2 million companies that operated in 2007, 99 percent employed fewer than 500 workers. These small-firm companies accounted for half of the U.S. workforce and created 979,102 new jobs, or 78.9 percent of the nation's total job creation. By comparison, companies with more than 500 workers created 262,326 new jobs, or 21.1 percent.

Since the mid-1990s, SBA claims businesses with fewer than 500 employees have generated 60 to 80 percent of net new jobs.

While it's true that large corporations employ thousands of people, it's also fact that the economy is dominated by legions of smaller businesses with only a handful of workers.

It's important to understand that every major employer today, the Microsofts and Wal-Marts, started as a small business. Throughout the U.S. are companies with fewer than 10 workers destined for Fortune 500 status.

Small size alone, however, doesn't classify a business as a hot job prospect. Typically, a significant number of small businesses fold within five years because of struggling cash flow and poor management. Target the movers and shakers.

Within every market are upstarts labeled as fast-growing by local economists. Their characteristics: they're involved in a product or service for which there is market demand; they're usually operating in a growth or emerging industry; finally, they're staffed with professional managers with the expertise and vision required to develop the business. Through research and discussions with business professionals, you can identify the crown jewels of the market.

Don't overlook the already-established small companies which, despite the poor economy, continue to operate successfully. If you haven't considered small businesses in your job-hunting plan, why would you want to write off a bulk of the market?

Bellbrook resident Steve Stromp is a professional career consultant, lecturer and writer. Contact him : sstromp@sbcglobal.net.