There are a lot of jobs you can have in this world. Everything from lawyers to doctors to engineers to consultants. But what if you want a job that is both challenging and rewarding? What if you want a job where you can help businesses run more efficiently and improve their bottom line?
If this sounds like something you would be interested in, then becoming an SAP Ariba Consultant may be the perfect career choice for you!
That being said, if you don’t know where to start, breaking into a new field can be pretty challenging. Even if you have all of the connections in the world, if you don’t have the right skill set, it can be difficult to get your foot in the door. So, how do you become a consultant that specializes in SAP Ariba?
We aim to answer this question for you in detail below. By the end of this article, you will know exactly what it takes to become an SAP Ariba Consultant and be well on your way to starting this brand-new career!
First Things First, What is a Consultant?
The world of consulting can be a little confusing to outsiders. What exactly is a consultant? And what do they do? A consultant is basically someone who provides expert advice in a particular area. They are hired by businesses to help them solve problems or improve their operations.
There are many different types of consultants, but some of the most common include:
- Financial consultants:
- These consultants help businesses with their financial planning and source-to-pay
- Marketing consultants:
- This type of consultant is able to help companies plan and execute successful marketing campaigns.
- Operations consultants:
- As the name suggests, these consultants help businesses improve their operations and make them more efficient.
- IT consultants:
- IT consultants help businesses with all aspects of their information technology, from planning to implementation to management.
- Legal consultants:
- These consultants provide expert advice on legal matters to businesses.
- HR consultants:
- HR consultants help businesses with their human resources, from recruiting and hiring to employee training and development.
SAP Ariba Consultants fall under the category of IT consultants. As an SAP Ariba Consultant, you will be responsible for helping businesses with all aspects of their information technology, specifically related to the SAP Ariba software. Some of your duties as an SAP Ariba Consultant will include:
- Assisting clients in implementing the SAP Ariba software
- Configuring the software to meet the specific needs of each client
- Training clients on how to use the software
- Providing technical support to clients who are using the software
- Writing custom reports and queries for clients
These responsibilities are essential for the implementation and upkeep of the software, but they are just a small part of what you will do as an SAP Ariba Consultant. In addition to the duties listed above, you could also be responsible for:
- Project management
- Stakeholder management
- Change management
- Risk management
Really, if it’s something that’s associated with SAP Ariba, it could be your responsibility depending on the way you negotiate your contracts. The great thing about being a consultant is that you have a lot of control over your workload and your career path.
Of course, with this control comes a lot of responsibility. As a consultant, you will need to be able to manage your time well and juggle multiple projects at once. You will also need to be very organized and detail-oriented in order to ensure that each project is completed on time and within budget.
What Does it Take to Become an SAP Ariba Consultant?
Now that we understand what would be expected of you, let’s take a look at what would be required. Every single job on this planet has job requirements, even if you’re just checking tickets at the movie theater. But the requirements for an SAP Ariba Consultant are a little bit different than most other jobs.
To become an SAP Ariba Consultant, you will need:
- A minimum of five years of experience working with the SAP software in some capacity:
- If you aren’t familiar with the software, you won’t be able to help clients properly configure and use it.
- A degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field:
- This will show that you have the necessary technical skills to be successful in this role.
- Excellent communication and people skills:
- As a consultant, you will be working with clients on a daily basis. It is essential that you have strong communication skills in order to effectively communicate with them and build relationships.
- Strong project management skills:
- You will need to be able to manage multiple projects at once and ensure that they are completed on time and within budget.
- The ability to work independently:
- Consultants are usually not employed by the companies they work for; instead, they are hired on a contract basis. This means that you will need to be comfortable working independently and taking initiative when it comes to your projects.
- Flexibility:
- The great thing about being a consultant is that you have the ability to choose your own projects and set your own hours. However, this also means that you need to be flexible in order to accommodate the needs of your clients.
While these are technically the “requirements” for the job, it is important to note that most companies will also prefer candidates who have SAP Ariba certification. This certification can be obtained by taking an online course and passing an exam.
While it is not required, it looks good on your resume and will make you a more competitive candidate. The world of consulting, whether you’re specifically working with SAP Ariba or not, can be pretty cutthroat.
Remember, a lot of your job will be interviewing with companies to convince them that you’re the best option available to them. So, in addition to the items on the requirements list, you will also need to be able to sell yourself and your skill set.
You need to be confident in your abilities and believe that you can provide value to a company. If you don’t believe in yourself, it will be very difficult to convince someone else to hire you.
In short, becoming an SAP Ariba Consultant is not an easy task. It will require a lot of hard work and dedication. However, if you are up for the challenge and are willing to put in the time and effort, it can be a very rewarding career choice!
Things That Can Help You Succeed As a Consultant
Now, even if you have all of the qualifications and requirements that we listed above, there are still no guarantees that you will be successful as a consultant. There are a lot of factors that come into play when it comes to consulting, and unfortunately, not everyone is cut out for it.
That being said, there are some things you can do to increase your chances of success as an SAP Ariba Consultant. Some things that can help you succeed in this career include:
- Having your portfolio in order:
- When you’re interviewing with potential clients, they are going to want to see your work. Having a strong portfolio that showcases your skills and experience is essential for landing new projects.
- Network, network, network:
- The consulting world is all about who you know. The more people you know, the more likely you are to hear about new opportunities. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and stay in touch with your contacts.
- Be prepared for anything:
- As a consultant, you need to be prepared for anything and everything. Things can change very quickly in the business world, and you need to be able to adapt on the fly. This means being flexible with both your time and your skill set.
- Always be learning:
- In order to keep up with the ever-changing business landscape, it is important that you are always learning new things! Whether it’s taking an online course or reading industry news articles; staying up-to-date on what’s happening in the world of business will only make you a better consultant.
Of course, these things don’t guarantee success. But they can definitely help you on your journey to becoming a successful SAP Ariba Consultant. It’s really the littlest things that make the biggest difference in this career.
So, if you’re serious about becoming an SAP Ariba Consultant, make sure to keep these things in mind. They may seem small, but they can really help you stand out from the competition and land those big consulting projects.
Finding Your Dream Job
Everyone needs a job. We all have bills to pay and mouths to feed and there isn’t anything in this world for free. The trick is to find a job that you love, that challenges you, and that makes you want to get out of bed every morning.
Whether that means becoming an SAP Ariba consultant or opening a dog grooming business, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you find something that makes you happy and allows you to live the life that you want to live. So, go out there and find your dream job!