Resume preparation is not rocket science. With enough information and some sample resumes, you can definitely create a wonderful resume. This article describes a few tips on SAP Resume preparation and some DOs and DONTs.
1. Your Domain Experience Counts : For functional folks, if you do not have tons of IT experience in the module, you don't need to sweat it. Domain expertise counts a lot. For example, if you are applying for an SAP SD or CRM functional job, typically 6 to 7 years of IT functional experience in is mandatory. However, you can easily slip in a couple of years of actual domain experience - say as a Sales Manager or a Marketing Manager. This is especially useful for folks who come from industry background with domain expertise but who are just getting trainined in the actual module itself.
2. Focus on Problems Solved : Actually this is true for any kind of resume . Specifically more so for SAP for resumes. Try to focus on how you resolved a particular functional issue. For example, an SAP FICO resume could say - "Configured dummy company codes to deal with Special Logistics Processes " as opposed to just saying "Configured company code, credit control area.. etc ". The interviewer will then ask you, what kind of "special logistics process" did you deal with. You can explain more on the actual business problem and your solution.
3. Focus on your most recent project : Most interviews do not go beyond the past 2 or 3 projects. So focus 50% on your current project , 30% on your second project and 10% on the third project. Don't bother too much beyond that.In rare situations they go beyond the third project , but only when the interviewer does not understand your first 2 pages.
4. Restrict your resume to 3 or 4 pages : Some people have the habit of expanding their resume beyond 5 or 6 pages. This is totally unnecessary. Interviewers do not have time to read so many pages. Each interview ( atleast contracting jobs ) do not last for more than 30- 45 minutes. And the focus as discussed before will be on the first 2 pages.
5. List Logos of your clients if they are well-recognized. For example, if you have worked with "Johnson & Johnson" or "Google" 8 years ago, try to atleast put a logo of these clients in the first page with the heading "Major Clients worked with". This will add a professional touch.
6. Use Most-Searched Keywords : Recruiters try to only pick resumes that match the keywords in the requirements. For example, if a recruiter is looking for resumes that contain keywords "Campaign Management" in SAP CRM Resumes, and if you have worked on CRM campaign management, try to list the keyword in the resume. Do not just say worked in "campaigns". The better the match the better the match of the resume being picked up by the recruiter. However, try not to stuff the resume with all possible keywords.
7. Maintain Multiple Resumes : Yes - This might sound very strange, but its true. Candidates with multiple resumes stand a better chance of getting an interview call than someone with a single resume. But you will have to do a fine balancing act here. Over-do it and you will be penalized as a fake. The primary reason why you need to maintain multiple versions is to ensure that you are covering potentially complementary areas if you are really qualified. For example, if you are an SAP Basis, Security, GRC/Virsa consultant, you can maintain 2 resumes - one focussing on your general Basis/Netweaver/Security skills and another focussing on Basis and GRC skills in more detail.
8. Avoid Grammatical and Spelling Mistakes : It looks highly unprofessional to have grammatical or spelling mistakes in your resume. Not everybody is very good in English - Find a good friend and ask him/her to review it or get professional resume perparation help. Either way, dont let a bad resume go out.
9. Eliminate "Not-So-Necessary" details : These days recruiters/employers do NOT look at your "other" interests. Please avoid listing your hobbies that are not related to your area of work. For example, if you are looking for a job in SAP, you can list your language proficiency in German or list your proficiency in Spanish or Japanese - Sometimes recruiters look out for functional consultants with specific language skills. However, plese do not list your skills in Kite flying or classical music.
