How to pave a way in this SAP market scenario

[Former Member]

Dear All,

I have raised a question regarding help to enter in SAP world. and I got very nice replies from some fellows. They have struggled a lot and also guiding a way to us like a light house. thanks for their efforts.

But.. the big hurdle in the success is this BUT.. every body has pointed out two to three basic and must to be remembered & followed things

1) not to leave current job what ever it may be

2) opt for online SAP training

3) work for free of cost or at minimum pay for some time to get experience

I have some confusions such as, is this SAP world so tightly held by currently working consultants that there is so little margin to enter. Did market have sufficient consultants to cater the need of growing economy (in the context of India only). If the SAP world already crowded then whether it so advisable to enter or not.

I am very much eager to work in SAP as I believe I can do this and contribute something. But how can I judge my self whether I am made for it or not. Will any body also suggest how to enter in this tightly held market as a consultant.

Scorings good marks in SAP certification and good experience of business process will help the fresher to get enter? whether professional qualification such as Chartered Accountant (CA) or Cost and Management Accountant (CMA) will add as advantage in getting settled in SAP consultant?

I apologies for lots of such doubts but its a matter of lots of money and time which is most precious to all of us.

All you suggestion and guidance are most welcomed.

Thanks & Regards

Tushar Awasare

Pune (India)

[Former Member]

Hi Tushar,

You have very valid questions and also the concerns raised by you are in-line with the current market scenario in terms of SAP opportunities.

Let us know query by query -

Did market have sufficient consultants to cater the need of growing economy (in the context of India only). If the SAP world already crowded then whether it so advisable to enter or not.

>> There is always a scarcity of talented , experienced professionals irrespective of technology they work in.  Even in this situation where IT companies are doing OK (in terms of Margin, Revenue, Projects in hand, Projects in Pipeline), there is a demand.  But indeed, such IT organization then opt for experienced professionals due to the demand for a particular skillset in the projects. In your case, if you have a strong domain experience, please approach your friends who are working in any of the IT company (may be in and around PUNE) and request them to apply your candidature through their repsective organizations REFERRAL program.  I am sure you will get a response from them.

Will any body also suggest how to enter in this tightly held market as a consultant ?

In your case, if you have a strong domain experience, please approach your friends who are working in any of the IT company (may be in and around PUNE) and request them to apply your candidature through their repsective organizations REFERRAL program.  I am sure you will get a response from them.

Scorings good marks in SAP certification and good experience of business process will help the fresher to get enter? whether professional qualification such as Chartered Accountant (CA) or Cost and Management Accountant (CMA) will add as advantage in getting settled in SAP consultant?

>> Indeed, good marks in SAP certification and business process (domain) knowledge are preferred for such openings.  And as I said through REFERRAL programs run by these IT copanies, candidates do get a proper response even for fresher (fresher only in SAP, but your domain experience will be an added advantage. Don't forget that!)

>>Qualification such as CA, CMA will be pretty much helpful to get the job in SAP. CA, CMA itself is tough to clear and a candidate with this qualification is preferred for suitable SAP opening.

Hope this will be useful.  Please do not get discouraged.  Have patience and perseverance.

Best of luck.

Thanks and Regards

DJ

[Former Member]

Thank you sir for your kind guidance I will definitely make use of your advices, my qualification of CMA and domain experience

Thanks a lot

Regards

Tushar Awasare

Pune

[Former Member]

Hi Tushar,

Please reward some points if you get the suitable answers.

Thanks and Regards

DJ

[Former Member]

Hi Tushar,

I agree with DJ and would like to amplify some points. There is always a need for highly skilled, highly experienced SAP workers.  There is an infinite supply of recently trained, no-hands-on experience-but-got-great-grades-in-college hoping-to-be-SAP workers.  The problem isn't lack of demand per-se, but rather, companies are very careful about who they let touch their SAP systems. Mistakes on SAP configuration can be extremely costly. Giving fresh graduates the chance to prove themselves out of a sense of charity and giving doesn't run rampant through the business world.

You have to prove that you can do the job before you get to do the job. Having someone vouch for you is one way that companies can be convinced that you are worth the risk. Additional external certifications (CA, CMA) also help, but are best if they're backed up with domain experience as well. A fresher with a raft of certifications has only proved that s/he knows how to take tests, not apply knowledge in a real world situation.

Another way is to work your way through the system, step by step, exceeding expectations all the way. Please see

• Advice for Recent College Graduates (aka "Freshers")
• FAQ: How do I get my first SAP job?

You may find other blogs of interest at SAP Career Blog Links.

Patience and perseverance is key as is willing to do the work over the long haul and not expecting shortcuts.

You can find stories of other folks journeys to an SAP career at How did you get your start in SAP?.

I hope this is helpful!

Best regards,

  --Tom