SAP BI Functional Consultant...First time contract post...

[Squiby]

Hello,

I have been monitoring this forum for a while now and having ploughed through all the information regarding IR35, Umbrellas, Limitied Companies etc, I thought I would join and ask some questions.

I have recently (been about a month now) suffered a loss in Permanent Employment due to the organisation being downsized and since posting my CV I have had lots of calls and and interviews etc, only to be told things have been placed on hold due to budgets, not obtaining sign off, a couple of roles where I lacked experience etc..

My CV is good (as I have been told), it is attracting interest and being put forward, and interview technique is also good, but the only hurdle I seem not to be overcoming is budgets and some aspect of lack in experience.

I have total 14 months of experience as an SAP BI Functional Consultant without ABAP and also cross module experience in SAP HR EIC.

Although I am able to live off the severance for a 6 months or so, I am eager to get back into work and I am not sure what to do other than keep applying and putting my CV in front of many agencies/recruiters as possible and hoping things pick up.

I also get a lot of 'speculative calls' i.e. what are you looking for, do you know anyone with x,y,z skills, what rate are you after, what company have you been put forward to etc - I assume this is 'fishing?

If anyone offer any advice and any reputable agencies or contacts would be appreciated?

Thanks

[NotAllThere]

...
I also get a lot of 'speculative calls' i.e. what are you looking for, do you know anyone with x,y,z skills, what rate are you after, what company have you been put forward to etc - I assume this is 'fishing?...

This is fishing - ignore it.

Download Netweaver from SDN, and learn ABAP. Being able to write a simple update rule or start routine will make you more valuable. When you're asked, "can you do ABAP", you can say, without lying "Well, I'm not an expert ABAP developer, but I can get by".

Be prepared to work anywhere - including abroad - to get your first contract. You need to get that next 10 months experience.

If you've any contacts in BI departments in end-users or consultancies or you know any people who work directly for SAP, work them. Tell them you're looking, ask them if there's any opportunities.

[DodgyAgent]

Hello,

I have been monitoring this forum for a while now and having ploughed through all the information regarding IR35, Umbrellas, Limitied Companies etc, I thought I would join and ask some questions.

I have recently (been about a month now) suffered a loss in Permanent Employment due to the organisation being downsized and since posting my CV I have had lots of calls and and interviews etc, only to be told things have been placed on hold due to budgets, not obtaining sign off, a couple of roles where I lacked experience etc..

My CV is good (as I have been told), it is attracting interest and being put forward, and interview technique is also good, but the only hurdle I seem not to be overcoming is budgets and some aspect of lack in experience.

I have total 14 months of experience as an SAP BI Functional Consultant without ABAP and also cross module experience in SAP HR EIC.

Although I am able to live off the severance for a 6 months or so, I am eager to get back into work and I am not sure what to do other than keep applying and putting my CV in front of many agencies/recruiters as possible and hoping things pick up.

I also get a lot of 'speculative calls' i.e. what are you looking for, do you know anyone with x,y,z skills, what rate are you after, what company have you been put forward to etc - I assume this is 'fishing?

If anyone offer any advice and any reputable agencies or contacts would be appreciated?

Thanks

Are you a graduate? and have you thought about working as a consultant for say CSC, Accenture, IBM or Steria?

[Squiby]

Are you a graduate? and have you thought about working as a consultant for say CSC, Accenture, IBM or Steria?

I have an BSc (Hons) and MSc and I joined one of the 'said' companies out of the 4 listed above, but following downsizing (not sure if I can write r*******t!) with a clause being put in my contract that I cannot approach any of the consultancies clients directly for a position for 12 months!

I had calls from recruiters for CSC but surprise surprise the role had so called been 'filled' when I chased for the role!

Whats the best way to deal with fishing?

My contacts in the BI departments are limited as the contacts in said consultancy are still there and progressing because they have more experience!

I am prepared to work abroad, but I seem to be getting lots of calls regarding permanent opportunities abroad and in the UK rather than Contract positions...

Any advice appreciated..

[Squiby]

This is fishing - ignore it.

Download Netweaver from SDN, and learn ABAP. Being able to write a simple update rule or start routine will make you more valuable. When you're asked, "can you do ABAP", you can say, without lying "Well, I'm not an expert ABAP developer, but I can get by".

Be prepared to work anywhere - including abroad - to get your first contract. You need to get that next 10 months experience.

If you've any contacts in BI departments in end-users or consultancies or you know any people who work directly for SAP, work them. Tell them you're looking, ask them if there's any opportunities.

Thanks for the information. I have been trying to get hold of a system which I can play about in and gain some configuration, customisation skills etc, but the nature of trying to find a system without a commercial license means there is no such system or 'self learning' available.

Is configuration also done in ABAP?

In terms of Steria, CSC they only have vacancies for Principal Consultants at the moment which I am by any means not!

[NotAllThere]

I...with a clause being put in my contract that I cannot approach any of the consultancies clients directly for a position for 12 months!
...

Get some legal advice about that. Such clauses are only enforceable if they protect a legitimate business interest. You are extremely unlikely to be stealing clients away from your former employer; as such you can probably ignore it.

The free Netweaver download gives you the ABAP stack. You don't get any of the functional modules - MM, HR etc. so you can't do any configuration. You do get BI, but without any Business Content. For learning basic ABAP and to create some data models so you can play with update rules etc., it's ideal.

I know a company that will install it for you, under VMware, for around £600. ( You have to pay the VMware license yourself, and provide the laptop! ). Send me a private message if you're interested - when you're allowed to PM, that is.

[DS23]

Be prepared to work anywhere - including abroad - to get your first contract. You need to get that next 10 months experience.

whs

you need to be lucky or cheap and flexible and probably all three to get your first role. but i reckon if you are willing to do whatever it takes (low rate and/or far flung location) you will be fine.

[rootsnall]

I know a company that will install it for you, under VMware, for around £600. ( You have to pay the VMware license yourself, and provide the laptop! ). Send me a private message if you're interested - when you're allowed to PM, that is.

Stop leading him down the garden path regarding ABAP , as we all know he needs to get into .Net

I might PM you if I become a victim of the Credit Crunch, oops, it's now a Recession isn't it.

Do you know if you can do similar with CRM ?

Squiby, I'd say you need more experience so I'd be very flexible on pay and location and get yourself back in the game asap. If you can ride out the next year or so just ticking over financially and picking up more buzz words on your CV you'll be doing well.

[Squiby]

Get some legal advice about that. Such clauses are only enforceable if they protect a legitimate business interest. You are extremely unlikely to be stealing clients away from your former employer; as such you can probably ignore it.

It was actually part of the contract that all employees SEEK LEGAL ADVICE prior to agreeing the SCA. Upon seeking legal advice, loe and behold in the original contract of employment there is indeed a detailed clause which states that you cannot 'render services similar to the company or solicit the business of any restricted clients'

The SCA is also enforced using the original contract of employment, which is a pain!

[Squiby]

I am pretty much prepared to go anywhere to build up the final 10 months of experience but am hitting hurdles finding opportunities..