Starting a Career in SAP: What Recruiters Actually Look For
For many people entering the SAP world, the biggest challenge is not learning the system itself, but understanding how the hiring process really works.
From the outside, the market can seem confusing. Job descriptions are full of technical terms, companies ask for project experience, and candidates often wonder what exactly makes someone stand out in the recruitment process.
As someone who works closely with SAP recruitment, I often see talented candidates who struggle not because they lack potential, but because they don’t fully understand what companies are looking for.
Here are a few insights that may help if you are at the beginning of your SAP career.
How Companies Choose SAP Consultants
Many candidates assume that companies simply look for the person with the most experience or the longest list of skills. In reality, the decision process is usually more nuanced.
Companies typically focus on three main aspects:
1. Project relevance
Recruiters and hiring managers want to understand whether your previous experience is relevant to their current project. Even if you have only worked on one implementation or support project, what matters is how closely it relates to the role.
2. Understanding of business processes
SAP is not just a technical system. Consultants are expected to understand how business processes work – for example in finance, logistics, or HR.
Candidates who can explain how the system supports business operations usually stand out.
3. Communication skills
Many SAP projects involve international teams and close collaboration with business stakeholders. Being able to clearly explain solutions, lead discussions, and communicate with non-technical users is a big advantage
The Most Common Mistakes in Candidates’ CVs
One of the most common issues I see as a recruiter is that CVs often do not clearly show what the candidate actually did in a project.
Some typical mistakes include:
- Listing modules without explaining responsibilities
- Describing projects too briefly
- Using very generic descriptions such as “SAP support” or “SAP implementation project”
- Not mentioning the industry or project environment
A strong SAP CV should clearly explain:
- the type of project (implementation, rollout, migration, support)
- your role in the project
- the key tasks you performed
- the modules or technologies involved
Even junior consultants can create strong CVs if they describe their experience in a structured way.
Common Questions in SAP Interviews
SAP interviews usually combine technical and project-related questions. The goal is not only to test knowledge, but also to understand how you think and work in real project situations.
Some typical questions include:
- Can you describe your role in your last SAP project?
- What kind of business processes did you work with?
- How do you usually gather requirements from business users?
- Can you describe a challenge you faced during a project and how you handled it?
- What interests you about this particular SAP role?
For junior consultants, honesty and clarity are often more important than trying to appear overly technical.
Final Thoughts
Starting a career in SAP can feel overwhelming at first, but the market offers many opportunities for those who are willing to learn and gain project experience.
Understanding how recruitment works – from CV preparation to interviews – can make a significant difference. The more clearly you present your experience, skills, and motivation, the easier it becomes for recruiters and hiring managers to see your potential.
And sometimes, the smallest adjustments in how you present your experience can open the door to the next SAP project.
