Job interviews can be a long process. Companies want to make sure they make the best hire for their organisation. In this article you’ll learn how to keep the positive momentum going and make a great impression throughout your SAP job interview process.
You’ve mastered our tips for crafting the perfect SAP CV and you’ve now been invited to an interview? Great news – this means your profile looks interesting to your dream employer! The interview is your opportunity to present your achievements, stand out from the crowd and make a lasting impression and that’s why preparation is crucial.
Follow our top tips on how to interview like a pro:
1. Preparation is Key
Benjamin Franklin famously said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
Do your homework
The initial stage is researching the SAP job description and learning it inside out. Ensure you understand the exact SAP skills and experience required for the role.
Once you know what the job is all about, do extensive research on the company including its products/services, mission, vision, culture and competitors. Review the company’s website, run a Google search for press releases and read any employee reviews. Get familiar with the company’s SAP landscape and what SAP modules they use.
Researching the interviewers could provide extra insight into what to expect and how to tailor your answers most effectively. Learn about your interviewers’ professional backgrounds on professional networks to see if you can relate that to your own, such as the same past employer or university, which could help you connect on a personal level and really stand out.
Practice, practice, practice
The best way to feel comfortable during a job interview is to imagine and practice answering questions beforehand. Know your CV top to bottom and be able to elaborate and give examples of previous SAP projects you’ve been involved in. Knowing how to present your success in a compelling way highlights how you would be an asset to the company from the start of your employment. Learn about the industry and practice talking about anything from obvious industry trends to critical analysis.
2. Always Be on Your A-game
This is the time to let your personality shine and make a lasting impression. To do that, remember to be confident, develop meaningful conversation and show interest.
Hold Your Head Up High
Confidence is the key to appearing credible and trust-worthy. Check arrogance at the door – it’s not the same as confidence. When interviewing, you need to convince your potential employer that they can trust you with their SAP requirements. Doing proper research about industry news will give you a solid background to know exactly what it is you’re discussing. Finally, remember to smile, keep good eye contact and have open body language to signal that you’re comfortable in an interview environment and with the interviewer.
Rapport will Get You Far
Connecting with your interviewer on a personal level could be a powerful way to cement your credibility. Although rapport works hand-in-hand with confidence, remember to also be genuine and personable. If your interviewer mentions some past experience, try to build on that and relate it to your own. Above all, show positive emotions and excitement about the job and the organisation.
Ask Questions
Many professionals forget that a job interview is a conversation. Its purpose is to find out if both parties are a good fit. Although you can learn the basics about the company online, take advantage of speaking with a company insider to find out about the culture and team dynamic. Ask questions about the companies past, present and future. Talk to the SAP project specifically: the priorities, successes and challenges. Not asking any questions is tantamount to appearing to not want the job.
3. Always Follow Up
The end of an interview is not the end of the interview process. There are a couple of ways to follow up after your meeting.
Say ‘Thank you’ and reiterate
Thank-you notes are often overlooked in the interview process. According to a recent survey, 80% of HR managers consider thank-you emails to be helpful in assessing candidates. However, only 24% of candidates send such emails, which means nearly three-quarters of candidates are missing out on increasing their chances of getting ahead. It doesn’t take much to drop your interviewer a line to thank them for their consideration, reiterating some of your key SAP skills and how they would benefit the project and reinforce your passion for the job.
If in doubt, check-in
Have you had a positive interview experience but not heard back in a week or two? Before you start doubting your profile and application, it’s important to realise that there could be many reasons for the delay: busy workload, unexpected project priorities and so on. If you’re unsure about the progress of your application, or especially if you have an update, such as another offer, do check-in as this could give you extra leverage which could add to your profile and speed up the process.
For more insider advice for a successful SAP interview process, get in touch with one of RED’s expert recruitment consultants today.
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