It was 7.00 on a Monday morning and as I sat on the train on the way to work I found myself sitting behind two gentlemen who I instinctively expected to work in the financial industry. Both men were well dressed in designer suits and watches and were talking about a recent IPO and about each of their workplaces.

As I eavesdropped on their conversation, I was intrigued at the banter of both men as they each tried to convince each other that they should quit their jobs and go work at each others' firms. The first man worked at a well respected global investment bank. Big things were going on inside the bank and 2011 was "going to be a big year for the firm." Bonuses were going to be even greater than ever, however on the flip side this meant more time away from his family (which didn't see as the worst thing in the world).

The second man worked for a smaller boutique firm one that I had never heard of. He too provided arguments as to why his firm was a superior place to work, and with the introduction of a new wealthy investor there was a lot of money to be made in 2011. He was happy that his travelling days were behind him, but moaned about the lack of training that the firm was providing to new hires, especially on the graduate level. Being at a smaller firm, he was spending a lot of time working one on one with new employees, which he wasn't happy about.

The gentlemen at the global investment bank spoke about the new gym membership that was available for all employees, but suggested that with his hours, working out was not on the agenda. The gentlemen at the smaller boutique firm had no free gym membership, but had vowed that he would work less hours this year and make more time for himself and his family.

Listening to both men discuss their respective jobs got me thinking about the pros and cons of the big global investment bank vs. the smaller boutique bank as a place to work. The large "supermarket" versus the "speciality corner store". From an employee's perspective is one place better to work at than the other?

As a job seeker deciding on whether a larger bank or a small boutique bank is the right fit for you, there are many factors to take into account. While the fundamentals of your work will be the same, the application of that work can vary. Generally speaking, at a larger firm you receive far greater exposure to different industries and functions. In boutiques your exposure can be a lot narrower (this can be a pro or con).

No matter where you're working, both places have a demanding atmosphere. This is the very nature of the banking industry, which can be described as a "sink-or-swim" culture.

The major difference I find is culture. In a smaller boutique run bank, employees are more like family with everyone knowing your name. Although a boutique will offer a far more limited range of services than the big banks, in the big bank culture it is more than likely that you only interact with members of your team and find that you know very little about other people or their duties.

A smaller boutique can therefore have a friendlier feel to it. Rather than the small fish in the pond mentality, it is more a team environment with a feeling of working together as opposed to a feeling of competition with fellow co-workers. As a more family-orientated business you have a greater support network that can be accessed a lot easier.

Working for a large firm will typically see you have one direct role which you perform, while a smaller company can expose you to several different roles based on current projects or the needs of the firm. With less hierarchy and fewer processes employees have greater opportunity to expand their knowledge base. Being part of a smaller team can also give you the opportunity to stand out and be recognised for your valuable contribution.

From the perspective of a large corporation, the prestige of working for a well respected name in the business name can be a huge advantage, and they offer fantastic perks and benefits that cannot be matched. Although there is a feeling of small fish in a large pond, having a specific role that you are responsible for can provide more future opportunities, including greater exit opportunities, than a smaller firm. Training opportunities are generally much greater and more regarded with large corporations as well.

Overall, you need to find the right niche for you. If you enjoy the smaller working environment with less hierarchy, a smaller company could very well be the vehicle that serves you best. If you enjoy great benefits, opportunities to grow and a diverse culture, a larger organization could be right for you.