Getting A Job At SAP
SAP is an international software solutions company based in Walldorf, Germany. It specialises in producing software for business management processes - assisting data processing, information transfer, and customer relations.
SAP is an initialism for the company's German name, Systemanalyse Programmentwicklung, which translates to System Analysis Program Development.
The centralisation of data management, using SAP software, improves the efficiency of operations and speeds up workflows, enhancing productivity, customer experience, and company profits.
SAP helps businesses of all sizes - small businesses, midsize companies, and large corporations – to adapt, grow, and profit.
By revenue, SAP is the third-largest publicly traded software company in the world, and the largest outside of the US. It offers global opportunities, with offices in over 78 countries. These opportunities are sought after, and secured through a competitive, multistage recruitment process.
SAP Values
SAP's culture is underpinned by five principles that give the company purpose and help to drive it towards its goals. These principles are:
Tell It Like It Is – An emphasis on honesty and authenticity. A supportive and open workplace where colleagues truly listen and exchange ideas. A prioritisation of the facts, accompanied by genuine consideration of opinions.
Stay Curious – Constantly advancing and pushing boundaries to improve products, services, and solutions for clients.
Embrace Differences – Valuing the strength of a diverse and global team. Creating a supportive environment where differing viewpoints and perspectives are embraced and help to progress innovation.
Keep Promises – Building relationships with customers and earning their trust through displaying reliability, empathy, and accountability.
Embracing collaboration, working effectively as a team, and respecting the experience and expertise of others regardless of career level. Supporting each other, sharing knowledge, and succeeding as a team.
Throughout the recruitment process, seek to display an awareness of, and affinity with, these five principles.
Types Of Roles At SAP
SAP offers roles across its eight business areas:
Development and Technology - Join SAP as an IT professional, a software developer, or work in quality control or user experience design.
Sales – Become a member of SAP's salesforce and introduce businesses to software that will tackle their operational problems.
Consulting Services and Customer Support – Have a career as a consultant with SAP or work in support or education.
Marketing and Communications – Engage customers with new SAP products and services through campaigns and support lead generation.
Corporate Operations – Join SAP as a valued admin, legal or security professional, looking after SAP's people, investments, and buildings.
Human Resources – Help SAP to recruit, train, and retain top talent, by shaping and delivering its HR strategy.
Finance – Keep SAP on track by evaluating and navigating risk and opportunity, facilitating mergers and acquisitions, and helping it meet financial goals.
Customer Experience – Help SAP build connections between brands and their customers.
There are opportunities for students, recent graduates, young professionals, and experienced hires.
The Hiring Process At SAP
SAP is looking to recruit the best talent to its open roles across the globe. To be successful in securing a role with SAP, you'll need to impress at each stage of the hiring process. This will consist of an online application, pre-screening call, online psychometric tests, and at least one interview.
SAP Online Application
Submit an online application to a role that fits your skills and is aligned with your career goals. You'll need to disclose your personal details, educational background, and work history via your CV. You may also be asked to answer a few questions regarding your motivation for applying to SAP. Depending upon the role, a cover letter may be required.
SAP Pre-Screening Interview
If your skills match those sought for the open role, a member of the recruitment team will call you about the opportunity. They will talk through your application and may ask some basic interview questions to gain additional information. Your application will then be reviewed by a hiring manager who, if impressed, will organise the next stage of the process.
SAP Aptitude Tests
Some roles will ask you to complete a series of online tests to provide further insight into your capabilities. These will consist of the following assessments:
SAP Verbal Reasoning Tests
Verbal reasoning tests assess your ability to understand and analyse written passages. You'll be presented with a series of statements and asked if they are 'True', 'False', or if you 'Cannot Say' based upon the information divulged in the text.
These tests measure your ability to make accurate evaluations, deductions, and inferences whilst under time pressure.
SAP Numerical Reasoning Tests
A numerical reasoning assessment tests your ability to work with numbers, interpret data, and draw accurate conclusions.
The data involved in the test will be relevant to the role for which you are applying. You'll be asked to perform calculations involving basic mathematics such as fractions, percentages, ratios, currency conversions, algebra, and general arithmetic.
The questions will involve data presented in graphs, charts, and tables so make sure you are familiar with rapidly analysing data in these formats.
SAP Situational Judgement Tests
Situational judgement testsare designed to provide an insight into a candidate's behavioural preferences and attitude at work, to judge compatibility with the company.
You'll be presented with a series of hypothetical workplace scenarios and asked to indicate which of the given responses is the closest to the course of action you would take.
This assessment is tailored to SAP's core principles and culture, so keep this in mind when selecting your answers.
SAP Interviews
The final stage of the recruitment process is an interview with the hiring manager. Depending upon the circumstances, this may be in-person at an SAP office or conducted virtually.
Depending upon the business area, role, and career level, you may be asked to attend more than one interview. Some roles will have a technical interview alongside competency-based and behavioural interviews.
Your hiring manager will let you know exactly what to expect from the interview stage in advance, so you can prepare effectively.
What Is It Like To Work At SAP?
SAP is dedicated to employee experience and offers a generous benefits package. It provides healthcare coverage, a retirement plan, and an award-winning share purchase plan.
There are many learning and development opportunities with customised development programs, training sessions, access to career advice, and peer learning through mentoring and coaching.
Some SAP offices also have on-site fitness centres and activity classes. Your benefits will be tailored to your needs and location and are flexible to provide for both you and your family.
Top Tips For Getting Hired At SAP
Get To Know SAP Better
The recruitment team at SAP looks for candidates who are specifically keen to join SAP, rather than just any software company. Do your research – investigate recent developments at the company, new or long-term projects, and any news stories. A good knowledge of SAP's business and its operating environment will help to convey your dedication and motivation for applying and impress your interviewer. ReadingYour Guide To SAP is a great place to start.
Be Prepared
If you are serious about working for SAP, you should take the time to comprehensively prepare for each stage of the recruitment process. Don't underestimate the difficulty of online reasoning assessments – psychometric tests differ in style, format, and content to other exams you may have encountered, so invest time in becoming familiar with the questions. The same goes for your interview(s), as investing time in preparing your answers will enable you to convey your capabilities and suitability for the role confidently and succinctly.
Be Passionate
SAP seeks employees who are enthusiastic and have a passion for their chosen business area. Relax and be yourself in the interview, so your passion can come to the fore. Insightful and intelligent responses that display an awareness of the responsibilities of the role and challenges of the sector will convey your genuine interest in innovating with SAP.
Be Honest
The best candidates are confident in their strengths, but also aware of their weaknesses. SAP isn't seeking perfection, but potential. Don't be afraid of disclosing areas you still need to develop and hone – everyone is still learning, whatever the stage of their career. Be honest and convey enthusiasm for growing and developing your talent through a career with SAP.
