South Africa's small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a central role in the economy, accounting for around 91% of formal businesses, 60% of employment and 34% of GDP. Yet many jobseekers overlook the potential this sector offers to advance their careers and find meaningful work opportunities.
Michelle Dobson.
Whether you are a fresh school leaver or graduate or a seasoned professional, the roles on offer in this sector are varied and numerous. There are, for example, numerous opportunities for sales and business development professionals in SMEs that are focusing on driving revenue growth.
Administrative and operations staff who can keep a lean business running efficiently are also highly valued. Finance professionals with a practical, hands-on approach, digital marketers who can stretch a modest budget and customer service specialists who build loyalty are among the other roles for which SMEs are recruiting.
The pros of working for an SME
In an uncertain economy, many South Africans are attracted to the perceived stability of working for a big business. However, smaller companies often offer opportunities to accelerate your career that can compensate for the reality that they might not offer all the perks and structure of a large corporation.
In most SMEs, employees hit the ground running. There will be less bureaucracy to navigate and your contributions to the business will be more visible. You may also have better access to senior leadership than you would in a larger business. The responsibility can be daunting, but it allows you to learn in a fast and hands-on manner and engage with people at all levels of an organisation – not only your peers.
Depending on the company, an SME might allow you to speed up your career progression. You may, for example, get work on more challenging projects than you could as a new or junior employee at a larger company. Because hierarchies are flatter and teams are smaller, your hard work may be noticed and rewarded sooner.
Another significant advantage of working for an SME is the breadth of experience on offer. In a smaller team, you will generally be expected to work across multiple functions. You might spend the morning putting together a sales pitch, then jump in to help with an operations challenge in the afternoon.
Getting exposure to a range of different business functions and disciplines can help you to build a versatile skill set that sets you apart in a fast-changing job market. You may also find that an SME employee will be more supportive if your goal is to pivot from one role to another as you build up your skills base.
Finally, a lot of SMEs are able to offer perks that larger businesses do not, such as hybrid or remote work or flexible working hours. Larger companies are often reluctant to offer this sort of flexibility in their employee value proposition because their size, complexity and established policies can make it harder to accommodate individual preferences.
Qualities SMEs look for in their employees
SMEs tend to operate with smaller teams and budgets than larger organisations, which means that their hiring priorities are different. In many instances, they will value can-do attitude, proven practical experience and a willingness to knuckle down and get the job done above formal qualifications.
People who thrive in SMEs tend to be adaptable, accountable and resilient. They can change lanes quickly when the business requires it. For example, they will be willing to take on new tasks or learn new skills, even if those are not part of the traditional job description for their role.
SME owners also value proactive people who are willing to take ownership of tasks and projects. Employees who can identify a problem and solve it rather than needing constant instruction tend to do well in a smaller business. The one downside is that you may miss having access to the support and resources a bigger business might offer.
Because SMEs tend to expand headcount slowly and carefully, they often look to their people to grow with the business. Candidates who are eager to learn and willing to take on new challenges are likely to stand out.
Exciting opportunities for the right person
While there are many advantages to working for an SME, it is not the right fit for everyone. SMEs are diverse, so it is important to do your research before you join one. Cultural fit is especially important in a small team, meaning that you will be happier in an SME if you share its values and priorities.
You should also assess the growth prospects to see if they align with your career roadmap. While many SMEs offer rapid career progression and opportunities to take on challenging work, others are family-owned or built around long-tenured staff, which can limit upward mobility.
Some SMEs may struggle to match the salaries and benefits larger businesses offer, but this is not universally true. Think about what matters to you as you consider and negotiate job offers – there may be a trade-off between earning power and workplace flexibility.
Another trade-off to consider is that SMEs may offer more hands-on skills development or mentoring but will not offer the same amount of structured training as a larger business. This may be a drawback if your goal is to build deep specialisation in your skills set rather than broader versatility.
All of that said, if you are self-motivated and hungry to build real-world experience quickly, the SME environment is hard to beat. The variety of work, closer access to decision-makers and opportunity to make a visible impact can provide a strong foundation for a successful long-term career.
