Getting a job as a SAP FI/CO specialist or consultant
Getting a job as a SAP FI/CO specialist or consultant
SAP is one of the largest software companies that offer business solutions. The abbreviation comes from Systems, Applications, and Products. SAP’s courses are structured containing various modules, which offer solutions based on business processes. SAP FI/CO is one of these modules and stands for Financials and Controlling Configuration. The software package is quite complex and, because of its usefulness, many business companies are currently looking to hire specialists.
What is SAP FI/CO for?
Thanks to the SAP FI/CO modules, both managers and accountants working with SAP can observe the financial situation of the company faster than with any other software system. SAP FI/CO can help any company get the best planning solutions. It is now used, instead of other systems, for real time reviews of the company’s financial situation, without waiting for updates. To monitor the inside operations by planning and creating reports, to offer solutions to accounting requirements, the SAP FI/CO module is most helpful.
What does the Internet say about job offers in this field of work?
Making an online research about getting hired as a SAP FI/CO specialist or SAP FI/CO consultant, one can notice some requirements have to be fulfilled.
The purpose of a SAP FI/CO specialist is to configure SAP, analyze certain issues and translate into SAP functionality. Coordination and advisory skills are necessary for teamwork. A SAP FI/CO specialist should have even more than the following responsibilities. He should be able to conduct an object-oriented analysis, design and develop specifications, make research on technical problems and implement software.
You may say: “ok I can assume the responsibility of a SAP FI/CO specialist!” Unfortunately, this is not all that is asked of you. Experience weights a lot when considering IT jobs. The employer usually asks for at least 2 to 6 years of experience in the offered job and extra years of experience in working with development techniques and system design. The SAP FI/CO future employee has to have a degree. The truth is its quite difficult to get a job unless you have a 4-year degree or one of some other kind (like the Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Accounting). A major in a related field is an extra advantage in comparison with other SAP FI/CO candidates.
How about competencies and skills?
If you have those also, then the job is almost surely yours. A SAP FI/CO specialist has to have oral and written communication skills and be able to work in a team. These are a must in any job, and so are the following: flexibility, initiative, reliability, attention to detail, capability to solve problems and make decisions and professionalism. The skills of a SAP FI/CO specialist or consultant regard the use of the FI & CO modules. A configuration of the SAP modules including CCA, CO-PA, PCA and Product Costing, FI-GL, AP, AR, AA, OM, PS, MM-IV, MM-IM is demanded of the SAP FI/CO consultant or specialist. Of course, the financial background is vital and working with other systems like ORACLE or PEOPLE SOFT can be relevant to your hiring.
Is the effort worthwhile?
Most definitely. The salary will be rewarding and you may get to travel also. Internet job ads related to IT skills are posted everyday and statistics show that, in the last 6 months, most of them included the SAP FI/CO term. The figures also show that most employers seek employees with many SAP skills. The percentage of posted ads regarding SAP FI/CO proves that people are demanded to work in this field. As the efforts to fulfill all employers demands are quite big, the remuneration is rewarding also. The working environment is a pleasant one and travel opportunities are quite often presented (they are sometimes mentioned in the job offers). So, the effort is worthwhile.
The employees and the tools they use give the success of a company. SAP FI/CO has proven itself as a powerful tool, so the only variable left for a perfect result is the person who will be working with you.
Five Principles For Any Employee
Getting a job after several years of schooling gives some anxious moments to everyone!
It is a time when you are on your own and want to lead your life your own way without any strings attached…….
There are three major aspects in life :
1. Childhood
2. Adult life
3. Old age
There are however some transition periods like there is teenage between childhood and adult life in which period you develop your strengths - physical and mental. You play games and study for a job or a career. Depending on the profession you choose or plan you choose the area of education. Nehru said, ” Education is what one forgets what one has learnt at school”. It does not mean you immediately wipe out what you learnt. One has to develop one’s own learning.
Learning Curve
A learning curve is ‘S’-shaped. There is a lag phase, a growth phase, a stationary phase and a decay phase. In the lag phase you take your time to grasp, understand and apply the rudiments of knowledge imparted or learnt. The time period of lag phase varies from person to person. The growth phase is the period where you learn faster than before that is there is acceleration. In the stationary phase, you reach stagnancy since you are saturated either due to educational limitations or you are an expert by that time. Decay phase may overtake you either due to old age or due to out-dated knowledge.
You enjoy your life if you are lucky in the pre-adulthood phase of life when your mother takes care of you showering love and affection and father takes care of your educational needs and career planning. There those who have to struggle ( and there are plenty of them) to overcome emotional and economic problems to achieve their aims and objectives.
On getting a job
One day you get a job! You are thrilled. You do not have to ask your dad for money, you can buy what you want, you can have fun as you wish. There is a lurking suspicion somewhere. Whether I will be able to work to the satisfaction of the boss, what kind of work will be there, and actually what will I be supposed to do ?
What is an organisation?
First of all, one has to have an idea of an organisation or a company or a firm. The very word organisation implies a ’structure’. There is a hierarchy or a pyramid of people. There is a base, a mid- section and a pointed top. If one starts at the base, he is at the lowest level where all low-level jobs have to be carried out. If one joins at the mid-section, he has a base at the bottom and a top above him. The top-level or senior management plans, reviews and controls the over-all objectives of a company. The mid-section or middle management has to get the objectives planned by the top-management through the involvement of the base-level employees or their supervisors. The middle management has to clearly understand the plans and perceptions of the top management and the problems and limitations of the base-level to achieve success. Alongside one must also know whether one is in line management or staff management.
Line Manager
A line manager is directly in the line of command whereas a staff manager is one branch of line management. A line manager has better chance of promotion since he can go to the next higher level by virtue of a promotion in a vacancy. A staff manager has fewer chances of rising up the ladder. A line manager grows more by virtue of his years of experience though he may be doing the same job again and again, year after year!
Staff Manager
A staff manager can grow only by aquiring up to date knowledge and skills and by looking for better paying jobs. One should identify on joining a job whether he is a line manager or a staff manager. In a big organisation, even staff management can have its own line management but limited up to the main line where it is an off-shoot.
Career Visions
In the course of a job, one must realise quickly enough whether one is just doing a job for livelihood or for a career. When three bricklayers were asked what they were doing, each replied differently. One said he was earning his livelihood, the other said he was perfecting the art of bricklaying whereas the third fellow said he was building a castle. They are respectively the ordinary worker, the skilled worker and the manager, says Peter Drucker. Thus a profession can be looked at in one’s own perception. Fundamentally, one who enjoys his job can achieve greater heights. If you want to be a successful manager, each and every nuance of work should be done with full focus and with dedication.
Emotional Quotient
In the beginning, very few job-seekers or fresh recruits realise that employee life is worse than student life. One has to have a high emotional quotient to tolerate the behaviour of colleagues at the workplace. There are those who are planning to out-wit you without your knowledge, there are those who are otherwise good but ineffective, there are those who at your very sight curse you under their breath, there are those who paint a dismal picture of the organisation on your very first day of joining and so on. Yet there are some good people too. There are those who want your help and company.
Five Golden Principles In Any Job
The first principle :
” Study the environment and the people for a reasonable time.”
The second principle :
” Do not get tempted to comment or make statements.”
The third principle :
” Do not be in a hurry to please your boss .”
The fourth principle :
” Do not enter into political discussions .”
The fifth principle :
” Study your boss carefully remembering the golden adage - the boss is always right!”
Ethics and Morality
In the long run, one should try to maintain ethical standards in a job. Ultimately, everything boils down to one’s character. One has to be true, sincere, honest, hard-working, dedicated, principled and caring if one wants to be a successful manager. Remember, in an organisation you are what you are perceived to be! You cannot believe in something and appear to be somebody else - certainly, not in the long run. Be sure. Gandhian principles merit consideration in every walk of life.
Then you must plan for your finances. Work out a plan - when you want to get married, when you want to raise a family ( and what size!), where you want to be locationally and career-wise, standard of life you plan to maintain, assets you wish to build - fixed and current, your responsibilities, disaster management plan, savings for the future etc.
Above All
Above all, one should never land oneself in unnecessary problems. It is always better to maintain integrity. Do not be greedy or get misled by quick-money ventures. Take your time to study, analyse and discuss any investment and its associated risks. Do not fall into traps just because your friend has taken up something. Be safe and sure. Live by truth and self-control. Never be avengeful or nurture evil thoughts. Whenever you get angry or upset with someone, adopt “silence with a smile”. If you wish you can tell politely but be ready to hear similarly!
In the long run, try to make up as best as and as fast as you can. Nobody has come to live permanently on this planet….
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Find The Perfect Job In No Time
Its about who you know, NOT what you know! But, what if you don’t know anyone? Then what are you suppose to do? You suppose to go hunting and make contacts. When finding any job the first rule is to make looking for a job your JOB!
Finding a Job Is Your Job
If you are unemployed then you should put aside at least 6-8 hours of each business day for applying to jobs, making contacts, interviewing, and staying on top of your industry. This strategy will always award you a job in less time. Your goal should be to apply to a minimum of 3 jobs per day. You should manage a list of contacts of everyone you directly or indirectly make contact with.
If you already have a job, then you shouldn’t be looking for a job. But, if it is imperative that you find a new job, then it will be more difficult to find the adequate time to job hunt, therefore you should put aside the time for your job search as it becomes available.
Analyze Your Craft
You should know your craft. Know the skill you hold and the level at which you best perform. Rate yourself fairly, do not underrate your talent. Know your worth, but better know the least (salary) you are willing to accept.
It is important to know your skill set. Knowing this information will help you better asses the position which you are seeking. Getting a job isn’t only about the employer finding the perfect fit, it is also for you to find the perfect fit. Research the salary for your position, such as Salary.com, SalaryExpert.com, and PayScale.com. Once you are familiar with the salary you should stay at least $5,000 within that range (e.g. if the salary for the job is expected to be $45,000 then you should seek opportunity within the range of $40,000-$45,000 or $45,000-$50,000, depending on your level of skill for the position).
Prepare Your Resume
You should update your current resume or create a new resume. Your original resume should be generic, but keyword-rich. The generic version should NOT contain any formal greets to any particular party. Basically, you should be able to apply to any job with the generic version without any editing. It should be readily available for fast access and quick apply. The generic version will be used to post on job boards, for employers to view when searching the database. Editing your resume for formal greets should be done at the time of applying to a job.
You want your resume to be keyword-rich because when employers/recruiters search databases for resumes they usually use keywords to find employees. If your resume has the proper keyword density and strategy then your resume is more likely to be returned within the search results (e.g. if the job you are searching for is ‘customer service’ then your resume should focus on the keyword ‘customer service’).
Many argue that a one-page resume is the best resume, but in my experience a one-page resume doesn’t provide enough information for those with extensive backgrounds. In this case I suggest not exceeding 2 pages, unless the job you are applying for is information technology related or relies on extended details within the industry, then it is (sometimes) best to list or add every product, program, service, and technology which you have touched, worked with, or have knowledge of. Even still do not exceed 3 pages at this point, and that may be too much. Though, I must admit I have seen 5-page resumes which are highly detailed and keyword-rich that receive a very high response rate.
Never boast or brag on your resume. Be truthful and list your objective, skills, professional experience, education, and knowledge.
If you do not have the ability or time to create an award-winning resume then it may be worthwhile to invest in a professional resume writing service.
Build Your Contacts
The best way to make contacts is by calling the employer or recruiter directly. Usually this information is made available when applying for a job online. If you are at a job board site such as: Monster.com, CareerBuilder.com, or a niche-based job board such as: DataCenterLife.com then more than likely the contact information is found on the job post page. If you are applying through an employer site then more than likely the contact information can be found under the “Contact Us” page usually found on the sites’ navigational bar. Respect the wishes of employers and recruiters who state NOT to contact by phone.
You should create a contact for any job you apply for.
Manage Your Contact List
Every employer or recruiter you make contact with directly or indirectly should be added to your contact list. Your contact list should include the company name, contact name, email address, phone number, and position title. You should also have a field or method which denotes the last time you spoke with or contacted each contact. This is important so you do not make the mistake of contacting someone you spoke with days earlier as well this helps you manage your time between each contact. You should follow-up with your contacts at least once every week or every 7 business days.
Out of Work. Out of the Loop.
Just because you are unemployed doesn’t mean you need to fall behind in your industry. You should still stay familiar with your industry and spend your time wisely. Study your industry market and know the new technologies being used inside your job industry. Stay afloat, use your resources such as: the internet, newspapers, media, friends, and ex co-workers to know what is going on in your job industry. If you are out of work for months and have no idea of a new application that is being used by all professionals in your industry, then it will look bad in an interview when you have no clue what they are talking about and you are claiming to be a skilled professional in the industry. Keep your eye on the prize and know your stuff. Even if you are not an expert at it, at least have the basic knowledge.
Don’t Answer That Phone
You only have one chance at making a good impression, do not blow it! Do not answer the phone if you are too busy to talk, if you see a number that you do not recognize assume it is an employer or recruiter and you should not answer the call, if you are too busy. There is nothing worse than a crying baby in the background, a large bulldozer from a nearby construction site, the sound of a flushing toilet, a third-party conversation going on in the background, or being in a drop-call zone when an employer or recruiter calls. You should be focused, relaxed, calmed, and ready to answer all questions swiftly without any interruptions when the phone rings, otherwise allow your voice mail service to get the call and return the call later when the time is more convenient.
Give Yourself a Break
I also suggest taking off Friday, don’t do any job hunting or interviewing this day, enjoy yourself. Have yourself a 3-day weekend. The only reason you should schedule Friday for interviewing is if the employer or recruiter schedule it, never inconvenience your interviewer unless it is life-threatening or extremely important. Also, you should still answer your phone on Friday when you have the time, if you are too busy or unable to answer your phone then make sure you have a voice mail service set up.
Interviewing
Getting an interview is what you worked hard for. Having a successful interview is just as important as getting the job. This determines everything. Preparation for your interview should begin the minute you are scheduled for your interview. You should study the background of the company. You should be familiar with what the company does and their procedures. Most of this information is usually found on the company’s website (sometimes buried within the site so you may have to do some digging). You should prepare questions which you may have for the interviewer about the company and/or position. You should familiarize or refresh yourself with the requirements/qualifications of the position. And most importantly you should have a good night sleep before the interview, at least 8-10 hours of rest.
You should have at least 2 business suits/attire for interviewing. If you have a second interview you should have the ability to switch to a different suit. Your suits should be only of the three colors: black, navy, or gray. Make sure you are well groomed for the interview.
You should arrive to the interview between 10-15 minutes early. You should never come to an interview empty handed. You should at least have a business folder with notepad paper, a writing pen, and a hardcopy of your resume.
When interviewing you should relax and be yourself. You should be focus, articulate well, and be keen. Make non-offensive eye contact with your interviewer. Ask questions about the company and the position. Ask the interviewer about their position and the length of time they been with the company. Ask the interviewer why the position is available and why did the last person leave the company? Ask the interviewer how soon do they hope to fill the available position? Ask the interviewer for a business card or way to contact them if you have any questions later.
Just remember to be yourself and remember that the interviewer is only human just like you. If you don’t get the job then try and try again, until you get a job. Many times an interview is a display of your personality and character. If you have truthfully and appropriately represented your skill set on your resume, then the interviewer already know you are capable of handling the job.
You’re Hired!
Spontaneous Job Interviews: What You Should Do
Are you in search of a job? If you are, there is a good chance that you will enter a number of local establishments, retail or not, to submit a job application or your resume. Many professionals recommend submitting job applications and resumes in person whenever possible. In most instances, you will have your resume accepted and you will be told that you will be contacted for a job interview in the future. However, you may receive a spontaneous job interview in some instances. If and when that time comes, do you know what you should do?
Before focusing on what you should do or how you should handle spontaneous job interviews, it is first important that you familiarize yourself with them. Spontaneous job interviews come in a number of different formats. For instance, a manager may ask you to come in for a job interview that that day or the following day. Although you are given some notice, many are unable to prepare as much as they would have liked to for an interview that is scheduled right away. Speaking of right away, you may also find yourself having a job interview right on the spot. This is not uncommon, especially in retail. Essentially, a spontaneous job interview is one that is schedule at the last minute or without a large notice.
As nice as last minute or spontaneous job interviews are, they can be scary and overwhelming for many. With that mind, you should know that there are both a number of advantages and disadvantages to spontaneous or last minute job interviews. One of those benefits is the need. If an employer is looking to interview you right on the spot or if they are looking to set up a job interview as soon as possible, there is a good chance that they need to hire an employee right away. This vital need can significantly increase your chances of getting a job. With that in mind, the biggest con or downside to spontaneous interviews or last minute job interviews is the lack of preparation.
Although spontaneous or last minute job interviews do make preparation difficult, there are a number of steps that you can take to prepare for them, just in case. For starters, you may want to ensure that you are properly dressed. Even if you are just submitting your job application or your resume, you will want to make sure that your appearance is professional in nature, especially if you are submitting your resume or job application in person. A manager who decided to offer you a job interview right away should expect you to be a little bit unprepared, but why not take a few extra steps, like putting on a nice outfit, to show them that you can be prepared for just about anything.
As previously stated, many job seekers prefer spontaneous or last minute job interviews, while others tend to fear them. To prepare for the possibility of a spontaneous or a last minute job interview, you will want to take the time to do a little bit of preparation. This preparation may involve having a mock interview with your friends or family members, using the internet to research common job interview questions and so forth. Taking a few minutes or a few hours, at the most, to prepare for a job interview, even if one has yet to be scheduled, will do no harm. In fact, it is likely that you would take these approaches later on, so why not get a little bit of a head start with doing so?
The above mentioned points are all points that you will want to take into consideration, when you decide to submit your resume or your job application in person. As nerve-wracking as last minute or spontaneous job interviews can be, you will want to refrain from turning any down, as they can, literally, be the opportunity of a lifetime.