3 Things New SAP Freelancers Wish They Knew

If you’re new to the world of SAP freelancing, you’ve probably already been fully informed on the advantages and disadvantages of freelancing. You’ve chosen a challenge with high rewards and you're already one step closer to a fast-paced career within SAP.

Even with one major decision under your belt, it can feel like there are a million other decisions to make- do you use a pay-roller or create your own company? Do you use a tax service or do you try to do it yourself? Do you want to use a recruitment service or try to navigate the contract hunt on your own?

While those are all decisions will become less daunting as you become more familiar with freelancing and the requirements of each contract, there are 3 things that most newly minted SAP freelancers wish they knew when they started.


Create a portfolio

When a client or recruiter speaks to you in reference to a particular project role, its always helpful to have a portfolio of your past projects already prepared. This should be considered as additional to a CV rather than a replacement. CVs seek to be brief overviews of your experience, covering job titles, companies, and basic tasks. A portfolio should be more in depth on your roles, team structure, technologies used, what you worked on, project challenges and results of your work.

Portfolios assist in providing a comprehensive background prior to or during the introduction phase with a prospective client. They should aim to enable a productive meeting or call, where you as a consultant can really showcase your experience.


Seek peer advice

Inevitably when you first start freelancing, there will be a project or a phase within a project where you won’t have an immediate answer or solution. It’s important to reach out to your peers and seek out industry forums to connect with professionals who may be able to lend a helping hand.

Starting out as a contractor, one of the most useful tools in your belt will be your peer network. The specialists you work with on any given project will not only be resources for when you’re caught in a tight spot but may be good connections for your next project. It’s always important to maintain your network, however, even more so when you’re a new SAP freelancer. You will face any number of learning curbs in your freelancing career, make sure that you have the support to overcome challenges and showcase your skill.


Be realistic with your buffer period

Coming from a permanent position you probably already know that working as a SAP freelancer entails a little more uncertainty when it comes to employment.  Allowing a buffer period will not only be beneficial at times (to make sure you’re receiving the best project offer on the market) but may also be necessary.

SAP freelancing pays well so make sure you save some of your take-home for those rainy days when you’re off project and be prepared to take up to a 6 month buffer period. Some of the best freelancers use this period to attend SAP courses or to pursue personal development opportunities.

Read about the top 4 traits of a successful SAP freelancer here.


Interested in working as a SAP freelancer? Check out any of our current SAP freelance vacancies at Global Enterprise Partners and follow us on LinkedIn to receive the latest trends in the SAP contracts market right in your LinkedIn feed.

Contract document

Debunking the myths of Contract Work in Japan - Job-Seekers Edition

07 Apr 2023

Although there are positive prospects in contracting, many Japanese workers are still hesitant to accept contract jobs as many still believe myths of contract jobs. But are they still relevant today?

What is the difference between Scrum and Agile

10 Jan 2023

Whether you’re new to software development or have some experience in the field, you’re likely familiar with the terms Agile and Scrum. But what is the difference between Agile and Scrum?

What's the top job in tech?

11 Jul 2023

Recently we conducted an analysis of Tech jobs in the Business world for the second quarter of the year, and once again there are some interesting insights to share.

The Growing Need for Corporate Collaboration

19 Jul 2023

The main trend we notice for agro-tech is the growing need for companies which have been competitors for decades, to collaborate.