Talking to The SAP Recruiter
I’d like to share with you my an online talking to a recruiter. I won’t give this nice guy name now and the client name. Maybe I can give them later. I talked to him about an SAP ABAP Developer position in Dallas, TX.
I just applied an SAP ABAP position on computerjobs.com last week. Then online talking - just e-mailing - was as following:
Thursday, July 20, 2006.
Me: Hi, I am interested in the position. I am a certified SAP ABAP Developer and a green card holder. Sincerely.
Recruiter: you have not touched abap since 2003, the client will pass
Me: Thank you for your honesty. I haven’t worked as SAP Developer since … 2003. Believe or not I am a very strong ABAPer. I believe myself. What I just need is to start again. I even know that it is very hard to find a position in this situation. I will find a position soon or later… Thanks.
Recruiter: I will see what I can do.
Recruiter: how much exp. do you have with? Like I said they are looking for strong “hands on” technical. Lots of questions on RICE objects, IDOC’s and BAPI’s. They asked me about User Exits, Credit card authorizations, etc. IMS and legacy systems? how current are you with the latest versions of SAP? how much MM, QM, and AP exp. do you have coding in each?
Me: I have more than 6 years experience in financial modules and logistics modules of SAP R/3 in ABAP development. Let me tell you which modules: FI, CO, AA, PS, MM, SD, PM, PP, QM. I’ve done all RICE objects, dialog programs, BAPIs, IDOCs in MM, QM, AP, AR, FI, etc… User-exits, enhancements, BADIs. I’ve done a lot of programs to transfer data between SAP and legacy systems. As I know everyone’s currently looking good ABAP programmers who know everything and code ABAP programs without any help from functional consultants, key users, end users. I’m very comfortable with FI (AP, AR), AA, MM, CO, PS, QM modules. But it’s inevitable to work with other people to get requirements, to prepare specs, etc. When I’ve worked as an Independent Developer, I’ve just worked with end users to prepare specs and done RICEF programs. I am a person who is easy to work. I know that consultants should be good listeners firstly. I am a good self tester. My way of working is to listen, ask, listen, do, test, give feedbacks, do more than the user wants, contribute functionality. When I write ABAP programs, my approach is always to make customizable programs. The most important thing is documentation. I don’t hesitate to share my all experiences with other folks in the project. My the latest version of SAP R/3 is 4.6C. Sincerely.
Recruiter: what rate do you need? can you show your GC?
Me: I just looked at the description of the position. It says $xx - $xx, and it is in NC. Thus, everything is okay for me. If they give me the job, of course I would show my GC. I have been already working for more than 2 years with my GC in US. Sincerely.
Recruiter: the role I have in mind for you just is in TX with <customer1>
Recruiter: I submitted you to <customer2> for this role in NC.
Me: It is better. <customer1> in TX. When I look at the description I’d happily like to say that this position is exactly for me. Even it says “Emphasis will be in MM“. MM and FI are my #1 modules. I am open about rate. If they have any rate, I’d like to hear that. It is truly a great position for me. What I just need is to sit my seat and start to code ABAP. I am 100% percent sure, they will be happy for working with me. Sincerely.
Recruiter: how about xxHR? but you would have to cover your own expenses from the xxHR
Recruiter: I will submit you to both
Me: Great!!! I will cover my own expenses. If even I see a long partnership in this project, I can relocate to TX.
Recruiter: ok, I will submit you.
Me: <customer1> requires A&D experience, my the biggest project is an A&D project. Thank you very much. It is a good online talking with you this evening. I am eagerly looking forward to hearing good news from you. Sincerely.
Recruiter: I will keep my fingers crossed.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006.
<customer1>: Gentlemen, This is the assessment on current <recruiter’s company> candidates. SAP ABAP Position. Tuncay Karaca is not as strong as other candidates and we would like to reserve the right to interview this person later in screening.
Recruiter: fyi.. from <customer1>, I’m trying to convince them to speak to you…
Me: Thank you so much. I am still keeping my hope alive.
Recruiter: there is no reason they should not speak to you…
Me: You were right. You told me at first “you have not touched abap since 2003, the client will pass“. It seems in my resume that my last project was in 2003. It is my problem, because of that everyone passes me without interview. What I just need is to start, then everyone will like my job and then others will be willing to interview me. The real problem is how I am going to start again! Thank you for your all interest.
Recruiter: I’m not giving up yet
All right is it end of the story? I don’t know! If it is not, I will update this story.
As you see I have a very big challenge, despite I depend on my SAP knowledge and my all experiences, I didn’t have in experience in US and haven’t worked as SAP ABAP Developer in a project since 2003. So people don’t approach me even for an interview. They just pass me. It’s tough a situation. Isn’t it? What do you recommend me to do?
August 3rd, 2006 at 4:40 pm
I wish you will get one of the best job in SAP soon.
August 4th, 2006 at 12:00 pm
Dear Sushanta,
Thank you so much for your good wish. I’ve been still trying to do so! I’ll inform everybody when I get a position. Continue to watch my journey!
August 10th, 2006 at 6:31 pm
This is funny - I have the most recent ABAP experience but don’t have a GC, so usully as soon as the potential employers find out I don’t have a GC they loose interest. Anyways, if you are interested in a full-time job in MD - let me know (I’m not a recruiter). Good luck!
August 22nd, 2006 at 1:03 pm
Dear Jelana,
Thank you for good wishes. I am currently working on a couple of interviews and waiting one or two offers, so I would like to thank you for your offer that is working in MD. I need to clarify the current situations, then maybe who knows, I might be calling you.
April 14th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
gud .. dont worry … u will get a job, because u have the caliber and the enthu to work … all the best
July 24th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
My dear friend Tuncay,
I am very glad that you had got an SAP job again. The companies who did not interview with you lost the chance to work with an excellent ABAP programmer.
Although we think that SAP is big now, the world is amazingly small. I am sure that you will come across one of these companies in the future and may be then you will be the one to be rejecting to talk to them!
I want to share an incident of mine with all of you reading this:
About six months ago, the consulting company i worked with asked me to interview one guy whose resume looked nice but he was not working in the field for about 3 years. 3 years ago, he had decided to leave his SAP job and become a chef. Actually he was quite successful in that field too, but after 3 years now he wanted to go back into SAP(HR). He had about 6 years of SAP exp., like Tuncay’s situation. So I interviewed him, normally I am a tough interviewer but after only 3 questions, I was sure that this guy knew his stuff. I also remembered his name during the interview from an SAP trip to Germany that I made 7 years ago. I immediately told my company that I wanted to work with this guy, and I told them not to make it difficult for him and offer him a nice package. He continued his career from where he left off, and we had great fun working together in my last project.
Tuncay, my friend I am so glad that you are happy in the new job, I hope we will work together again. We should! All the best..
September 7th, 2007 at 8:20 am
Ozgur,
Firstly sorry about late response. I was in Turkey for a while.
I am glad to see your comment here. I’ve been working in my new company for one year. It was really hard experience for me to look for an SAP job after 3 years. But it worked.
Take care.
October 22nd, 2007 at 3:27 pm
I really dont know whether I can put this here or not.Iam from India having masters degree in computer appliations and doing ABAP now.I want to go to US or any foreign country.Can any tell me all possible ways to reach my dream?Any consultancies who do recruitment in US/UK/Candada for Indians?Please let me know.You can reach me at kumarangopi@yahoo.com.Thanks in advance
October 22nd, 2007 at 3:28 pm
I must conclude that this site is doing wonderful job.Thanks to all those who shared their knowledge.