Naveen,
You might not want to set consulting as your initial target. Most consulting firms are only going to hire folks with implementation experience, preferably more than one start-to-finish implementation, including go-live. On top of go-live experience, certification can be helpful to help distinguish your application from others that only have experience but no certification. Applicants with only certification and no experience end up in the trash, no chance of success.
You've already passed the most important hurdle. You are currently working at a company that is using SAP. Now your best course of action is to start looking at the company's change management process. How are new functionality/changes/improvements proposed? By what process are they approved? Who then sets up the requirements for the approved change and who works to fill the gap with configuration and/or development?
Your goal is to insert yourself into the process, perhaps by identifying a gap and requesting that the system be enhanced. You want to get experience thinking at a higher level, about the process itself and how it can be improved. If you can manage to be the person specifying the requirements, you will accomplish a few things. You will build your resume. From that point forward, you'll be able to talk about how your efforts improved the system. You'll get to know the folks supporting the system. You may be able to transfer into the support group or you may be able to use this experience to help you get a job in a support group at another company.
The point is that direct MM end user experience, by itself, doesn't necessarily tell the person who wants to hire someone for internal support or to work as a consultant, that you can function at that higher level. You need to focus on getting experience thinking about configuration and different ways a process could work. You definitely seem to have the drive. Self-study with the books is definitely a way to show that you're serious.
I do not, however, recommend that you quit your job and pay big bucks to get certified. Certification without previous hands-on configuration experience, is rarely sufficient to land a job. You might want to check out the blogs available at SAP Career Blog Links.
Hope this helps!
Best regards,
--Tom
Thank you so much Mr. Tom
Your answer is very much useful to take decision on my carrier.
I regularly use to read your blogs, discussions and comments in both SCN and toolbox sites. I found answers for all questions that arise in my mind. Because you have created blog posts in such a way, especially “”. I already know that, you will be definitely responding to my post within few minutes with correct advices and suggestions.
SAP is my Passion, when I was in my under graduation itself I decided to work in SAP. That is why I have chosen MBA Finance and after that I quit my marketing job with good earnings and demoted myself to a BPO company which is working with SAP. Just to gain experience.
In these three years of BPO experience, I always looked in broad/higher view on all projects I worked. Instead of looking at my growth within BPO; as you have mentioned in your answer I always looked at “How are new functionality/changes/improvements proposed? By what process are they approved? Who then sets up the requirements for the approved change and who works to fill the gap with configuration and/or development?”
I have spent minimum 3 hours per day from last few years to understand SAP’s mindset and its functionality by reading its whitepapers, books, googling, sap library, blogs and through other possible channels like trainings from friends and trainers who are into the same field
I think now this is time to take a move into SAP MM support or other relevant positions. If I want internal moment still I need to invest more than three years in my current job. Being in BPO for more than three years in not a good Idea as per my openion
Currently I am in 10days leave to prepare SAP MM and to give shots to companies.
Again, thank you very much Mr. Tom for sharing your thoughts. Your blogs clear the doubts of everyone visit SCN and Toolbox.
Sounds like you're ready! I have every confidence that you will be able to communicate your passion for the topic and your relevant experience in an interview. You'll be configuring in no time! Best regards, --Tom
