Hi Folks,
For people who are new to SAP, getting to know more experienced members of the ecosystem can sometimes be a challenge. Finding a career opportunity, even more difficult. I wanted to share a recommendation for newcomers on how to approach the SAP career & development space in a useful way.
Note: If your sole purpose is landing any lucrative job you can find, no matter what it is about, consider skipping this blog. This may not be for you.
I’d like to share one basic rule of networking in the SAP community: steer clear from overt job requests. Do not share an air of desperation, but rather of curiosity (if you have it).
Let's talk specifics:
Make the first move
Introduce yourself on the SAP Community and actively reach out to experts in areas you are interested in. This is what a curious person would do. A critical mistake of newcomers is their lack of engagement on the SAP Community and other social media platforms. Get your name seen and do not fear asking “dumb” questions.
- Join the career corner here - speak with people who are recruiting
- Join the learning group here - ask lots of questions
- Use the SAP Community search, search for keywords that interest you, then tag the people who seem to know something about that topic with your questions.
- Add an avatar image of yourself. The majority of people are hiding behind an anonymous silhouette icon - you will differentiate yourself from them and be more memorable this way.
- Do the same thing across social media platforms - be seen.
Seek the personal experiences of others
Genuine curiosity is a great conversation starter. Make it a habit to ask about the personal experiences of those who have walked down the road you are embarking on.
- How did they get started in SAP?
- What challenges did they face along the way?
- What were they thinking on day 1 of their first project?
- Did they experience a fair amount of mentorship as a beginner?
Focus on In-depth Questions
When you manage to strike up a conversation with an SAP specialist, try to evoke insightful responses by asking about their particular area of expertise. For example, you might ask:
- What is the first thing they try to convey to a customer before they begin their SAP implementation?
- Could you give me some real-world examples of how an implementation of SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud (for example) made a material difference in the way your customer operates?
- Who in the company benefitted the most? What were their processes like before, during and after the project?
- Who had the hardest time? Were their difficulties technical or cultural?
Solution-specific personal stories provide insight on what to specialize in
Invite people to share practical examples or case studies from their work. You might ask:
- How do they think their geographical location influenced what they specialized in?
- Do they recommend their area of specialization for a beginner?
- Their success stories and even their failures can shed some light on the path that lies ahead of you. Ask about them.
- What unique challenges does their area of expertise present in terms of the team dynamic?
Put yourselves in the shoes of the people doing these jobs- really try to understand their experience from their eyes.
Express Genuine Interest
By focusing on listening and learning, you convey that you are genuinely interested in SAP, rather than just seeking employment opportunities. Share a little about your journey too - why are you drawn to SAP? What excites you about it? Personal stories make social interactions memorable.
Final thoughts
Remember that networking is a two-way street. Stay open and receptive to ideas, thoughts, and constructive criticism. Your goal is not to land a job immediately, but to create meaningful connections and gradually become a part of the SAP community.
Above all, have patience. Genuine relationships take time to build. But when opportunities do come, they stem from mutual trust and respect, making them truly worthwhile.
Thanks for reading and good luck on your journey!
-David
