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.
