SAP is a leading ERP (enterprise resource planning) platform offering a range of solutions to manage modern business operations. SAP’s technologies support advanced data analytics, customer experience management, supply chain management, and other critical business functions.
Given SAP’s complexity, companies often need to hire SAP experts or contract with SAP consultants to configure the SAP system to meet their unique business needs. However, it’s not always easy to identify the best SAP professionals for the job.
If you’re looking for an SAP professional who can help with the technical aspects of SAP, you’re looking for a candidate with experience in software development, software programming, and network administration. If you’re looking for a functional SAP consultant, you’re looking for a candidate with a strong background in business, revenue operations and finance, commerce, or supply chain management as well as SAP training and SAP certifications relevant to the role. Your ideal candidate should also have experience in your industry and the ability to provide the specific SAP support your business needs, such as SAP implementation or SAP migration.
Unless you have a deep understanding of SAP yourself, it’s challenging to know the right questions to ask, let alone what the answers should be. To help you ask the right questions, we reached out to a panel of SAP professionals and IT hiring managers and asked them to answer this question:
“What are your favorite SAP interview questions?”
Meet Our Panel of SAP Professionals & IT Hiring Managers:
Read on to learn what our panel had to say about the best SAP interview questions to help you identify the best candidates.
Michael Lees
Michael Lees is the Chief Marketing Officer at EZLease.
“Here are a few of my favorite SAP interview questions:
- Could SAP be considered a database?
No. SAP is a tool that works with Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, and other database management systems.
- What alternatives do we have to SAP R/3 for running a company warehouse?
It is not necessary to install R/3 for a commercial warehouse to run smoothly. Either you may transfer structures associated with commercial warehousing data sources (ODS tables, Info cubes) to the incoming data files, linking your raw data and other sources of information, or you can use tools offered by a third party.
- Provide a location for storing the names of t-codes and the values of their associated programs. What is the best way to obtain a comprehensive catalog of SAP t-codes?
For example, using st11, you can view the TSTC transaction table, and using se93, you can create a brand-new t-code for implementation.”
John Willis
John Willis is the founder of Convert Free. He is a senior software developer on a mission to pursue knowledge and skills to better aid his colleagues and the products they develop.
“One of the interview questions for SAP that I prefer to ask candidates is:
How do you define master data in SAP, and why is it important?
Master data in SAP refers to the core data that is used to run business operations, such as customer data, vendor data, product data, and financial data. It is a critical component of any SAP implementation, as it forms the foundation for all business transactions and reporting.”
Luke Fitzpatrick
Luke Fitzpatrick is the HR of Drsono.com.
“One of my favorite SAP interview questions is:
What attracted you to SAP?
This question gives me the chance to highlight what makes me passionate about working with SAP; it allows me to express why I am excited about the field and how my skills can be an asset to their organization.
Another favorite question of mine is:
Can you tell us about a time when you had to troubleshoot a problem in an SAP environment?
This offers potential employers insight into my experience and practical expertise, highlighting how I solved issues in the past and how I approach problem-solving in general.
I also enjoy being asked:
How would you explain complex technical topics in terms that non-technical people could understand?
It challenges me to show off not only my technical competence but also my communication skills. After all, one of the key components of success within any team is clear communication between members.
Finally, another great interview question that I appreciate is:
In your opinion, name two areas where the current version of SAP software falls short?
This not only gives me an opportunity to showcase my knowledge on various aspects of new technology within this field, but it also lets me demonstrate creativity as well — by proposing specific ways that can be used to improve processes or optimize performance using current technologies effectively.”
Rahul Vij
Rahul Vij is the CEO of WebSpero Solutions.
“Here are a few of my favorite SAP interview questions:
- If you were an SAP module, which one would you be and why?
This question tests the candidate’s understanding of different SAP modules and their own strengths and personality traits.
- What is your approach to solving a complex SAP problem?
This question tests the candidate’s problem-solving skills, ability to handle pressure, and knowledge of SAP best practices.
- Can you describe a time when you had to customize an SAP solution to meet a client’s unique needs?
This question tests the candidate’s customization skills, ability to understand client requirements, and knowledge of SAP development tools.
- How do you keep up with the latest SAP updates and developments?
This question tests the candidate’s interest in the SAP ecosystem, willingness to learn, and ability to adapt to changes in technology.
- What is your experience with SAP implementation projects, and how do you manage project timelines and budgets?
This question tests the candidate’s project management skills, ability to work in a team, and understanding of project management methodologies.
- How do you ensure data accuracy and consistency in SAP systems, and what measures do you take to prevent data loss or corruption?
This question tests the candidate’s attention to detail, knowledge of data management best practices, and understanding of SAP security and governance.
- What is your experience with SAP integration projects, and how do you handle the challenges of integrating SAP systems with other enterprise applications?
This question tests the candidate’s technical skills, understanding of enterprise architecture, and ability to collaborate with other IT teams.
- What is your opinion on the future of SAP and enterprise software in general, and how do you see your role evolving in the next 5-10 years?
This question tests the candidate’s strategic thinking, vision for the future, and ability to adapt to changes in technology and business trends.”
Alan Perkins
Alan Perkins is the Co-Founder at RadialZone.
“My favorite SAP interview questions are:
- How does SAP allow you to construct a material master?
- What function does SAP ABAP software serve?
- Can you describe what an SAP delivery document is?
- What differentiates a functional consultant from a technical consultant in SAP?”
Peter Zendzian
Peter Zendzian is the president of ZZ Servers, a company that offers IT services to defend your company from today’s cyber dangers.
“One commonly asked SAP interview question is:
What is the difference between a transparent table and a pooled table in SAP?
This question assesses a candidate’s knowledge of SAP database structures. A transparent table is a conventional database table in which each row corresponds to a single data record. It has a one-to-one relationship with its database table, which means that it stores a single record in a single table row.
A pooled table, on the other hand, is a collection of several identical database tables, each of which represents a single data record. Because it has a one-to-many relationship with its database table, numerous records are saved in multiple table rows. The candidate’s knowledge of the underlying data is demonstrated by their response to this question.”
Robert Leonard
Robert is the CEO of Aimvein, an eCommerce shop for medical equipment and devices.
“There is a wide variety of SAP interview questions that can test the knowledge and skills of prospective candidates. To ensure you provide solid answers to any SAP-related queries during an interview, here are some of my favorite questions:
- What is your experience in developing custom reports in SAP?
- Do you know how to access and maintain them once they have been developed?
- Describe the process for creating application tables in ABAP Dictionary and how they interact with the underlying database.
- Explain the role of authorization objects within an SAP system and what techniques can be used to maintain authorizations efficiently.
- Walk me through a step-by-step process describing how to debug BAPI code using ABAP debugging tools such as SE80, ST05, etc.
- How do you identify triggers and rules which cause performance issues in SAP systems?
These types of questions are designed to assess someone’s technical ability when it comes to working with different areas within SAP systems — from development to understanding business processes related to certain transactions, testing configurations, or resolving issues related to roles/authorization objects — all these topics may be pursued further during an interview if one knows their stuff.”
Robert Smith
Robert Smith works as an SEO specialist and Head of Marketing at Psychometric Success. He specializes in Strategic Business Management Development and Digital Marketing and holds a Diploma in International Public Relations (DIPR).
“My favorite SAP interview question is:
What are Metadata, Master Data, and Transaction Data?
I would propose that we look into Metadata. Metadata is data about data. It provides information regarding the structure of data as well as MetaObjects.
Master Data is essential information for a company, including details about its customers, employees, and materials, among other things. This is more in the nature of a data reference. For example, in the event that a customer purchases 10 pieces of your product, rather than repeatedly requesting the client’s shipping address, the same information can be referenced from the Customer Master Data.
Transaction Data refers to information that pertains to day-to-day financial dealings.”
Alan McNabb
Allan McNabb is the VP of Image Building Media, an internet marketing company based in Tampa, serving clients throughout the U.S.
“There are a few SAP interview questions that I really enjoy answering.
One of my favorites is:
What are your favorite SAP transaction codes?
This question allows me to show off my in-depth knowledge of the SAP system and how it can be used to benefit businesses.
Another great question is:
What do you think is the most important aspect of an effective SAP project?
This question allows me to talk about my experience implementing SAP systems and share what I believe are the key factors for a successful project.
Finally, I really like the question:
What do you think is the biggest advantage of using SAP?
This question allows me to showcase my passion for this software and how it can help businesses streamline their processes and become more efficient.”
Dave Conway
Dave Conway is the co-founder at Roowaad.com, a platform focusing on helping entrepreneurs launch their startups and guiding small business owners through optimizing and scaling their businesses in the MENA region.
“My favorite SAP interview questions are those that focus on the candidate’s technical knowledge and experience.
For example, I like to ask questions such as:
- What experience do you have working with SAP systems?
- What challenges have you faced while working with SAP systems?
- How do you troubleshoot issues with SAP systems?
- What processes have you implemented to improve the efficiency of SAP systems?
- What strategies have you used to ensure data accuracy in SAP systems?
These questions help me to assess the candidate’s technical knowledge and experience with SAP systems.
Additionally, I like to ask questions that focus on the candidate’s problem-solving skills.
For example, I might ask questions such as:
- How do you approach a complex problem?
- What strategies do you use to identify the root cause of an issue?
- How do you prioritize tasks when working with SAP systems?
- How do you ensure that the solutions you develop are effective and efficient?
These questions help me to understand how the candidate approaches problem-solving and how they prioritize tasks. Finally, I like to ask questions that focus on the candidate’s communication skills.
For example, I might ask questions such as:
- How do you explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders?
- How do you collaborate with other teams to ensure the successful implementation of SAP systems?
- How do you ensure that all stakeholders are kept informed of progress and changes?
These questions help me to understand how the candidate communicates with stakeholders and how they collaborate with other teams.”
Mike Dion
Mike Dion is an experienced finance expert who has had the opportunity to work for both big and small companies across a wide range of industries. He shares his knowledge of finance and accounting at F9Finance.com in order to make it easy and understandable for all readers.
“Here are a few of my favorite SAP interview questions:
- When you encounter a task that requires you to utilize unfamiliar SAP functions, what resources do you tap into for assistance?
With this question, I am looking for the candidate to demonstrate that they know what SAP resources that are available (demonstrating that they have worked with the system before) and also can independently look for solutions.
- It’s quarter-end close, you come into work, and the system is down. What do you do?
This question allows me to understand the candidate’s problem-solving skills and how they respond under pressure. I expect them to describe a structured approach for troubleshooting and resolving the issue, as well as have an appreciation of the importance of adhering to deadlines.
- Describe a situation where you utilized SAP functionality to improve a process. What was the outcome?
This question allows me to assess the candidate’s experience and technical skills, as well as their ability to propose solutions to improve efficiency. I am looking for them to demonstrate an understanding of how SAP can be used to streamline processes and/or produce cost savings.
- What is your favorite T-Code and why?
With this question, I am looking to understand the candidate’s experience using and understanding the SAP system. The answer will provide insight into their preferences for working with the system and give me an idea of how knowledgeable they are when it comes to T-Codes.
- Describe a challenging situation you encountered while working with SAP and how you overcame it.
I’m looking for the candidate to demonstrate their ability to think outside of the box when faced with a difficult problem. I want them to show that they can analyze the issue, come up with alternative solutions, and then take action in order to resolve it. This also allows me to assess their troubleshooting skills.”
Jon Morgan
Jon Morgan is the CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Venture Smarter, a leading consulting firm that specializes in helping startups and small businesses scale and grow.
“It’s important to focus on their technical expertise, as well as their ability to work collaboratively and think critically.
Here are my favorite SAP interview questions:
- Can you walk me through your experience working with SAP? How have you used the software to solve specific business problems in the past?
- How do you approach troubleshooting issues within SAP? Can you give an example of a particularly challenging issue you had to resolve and how you went about solving it?
- How do you stay up to date with the latest SAP developments and updates? Are there any particular resources or communities you rely on for information?
- How do you approach collaboration and communication with other team members when working on SAP-related projects?
- Can you give an example of how you have used SAP to streamline or automate a business process? What was the outcome of that project?”
Layla Acharya
Layla Acharya is the founder and CEO of EdWize, a website created to offer the most comprehensive information on creating, marketing, and improving e-learning courses for outstanding learning experiences.
“My favorite SAP interview question is:
In SAP, what is the difference between an inner join and an outer join?
This is a common SAP interview question designed to assess a candidate’s knowledge of SAP data modeling and database concepts. Only records that match in both tables are included in the output of an inner join, whereas all records from one table and matching records from the other table are included in the output of an outer join.
The outer join is further subdivided into left outer join and right outer join, based on which the table’s entire record set is considered in the output. The candidate should be able to clearly explain these concepts.”
Alexandre Robicquet
Alexandre Robicquet is the CEO and co-founder of Crossing Minds. He holds two Master’s degrees from ENS Paris Saclay in Mathematics and Machine Learning and has since received a third in Artificial Intelligence.
“One excellent SAP interview question is:
Can you tell me how SAP and Salesforce are fundamentally different?
Both CRM tools share many similarities, so a candidate’s knowledge of how to tell each apart can greatly inform their technical skills. The key differences should ideally include the following facts:
- SAP allows for on-premise deployment, while Salesforce does not.
- Users select the tools they need for SAP, while Salesforce includes all the tools by default.”
Khamani Harrison
Khamani Harrison is a tech CEO with experience in new technology, AI, AR/VR, coding, and creating digital experiences.
“When it comes to interviewing SAP experts, I like to ask questions that assess their technical knowledge and expertise.
For example, I might ask questions about the different types of SAP systems, the different types of data models, and the different types of databases used in SAP. I might also ask questions about the different types of programming languages used in SAP, the different types of software development tools, and the different types of security protocols used in SAP.
Additionally, I like to ask questions about the different types of data integration and data migration processes used in SAP, as well as questions about the different types of user interfaces used in SAP.
These questions help me to assess the candidate’s knowledge and experience with SAP and to determine if they are the right fit for the job. It is also important to ask questions that assess the candidate’s problem-solving skills, communication skills, and ability to work in a team environment.”
Donnie Rand
Donnie Rand is a Marketing Coordinator at the American Association of Owner Operators, LLC.
“SAP interviews are a way to get to know a lot of talented candidates.
Everyone prepares for the interview, but my approach is to get to know how they will use their skill set in different situations. Therefore, my favorite SAP question is:
What are the key uses of SAP?
After I ask candidates this question, I request that they comment on each use with a practical example.
Their responses let me know if they will be able to handle the workload. Also, it lets me analyze whether they can become an asset to the company. Such questions create more room for discussion, and it’s great to hear different perspectives in order to decide which candidate to shortlist.”
Marcus Arcabascio
Marcus Arcabascio is the CEO and founder of Plat Maps, where you can locate free plat maps from county and local government authorities.
“My favorite SAP interview question to ask is:
What are some of the setbacks of SAP?
This relatively straightforward question tells me a lot about a candidate. If a recruiter wants to separate a highly qualified candidate from others, it’s best to use this question. While most candidates will give generic answers, some will give comprehensive answers.
For example, most candidates would state that the interface is a bit challenging without going further. An intelligent candidate would explain the challenge in great detail. This shows the level of expertise of an individual. I make sure to use this SAP interview question in all of my interviews.”
Youssef EL ACHAB
Youssef EL ACHAB is an IT consultant at ITCertificate.org, a blog about IT, IT certifications, Cloud, and DevOps.
“Here are some of my favorite SAP interview questions:
- Can you describe your experience with SAP implementation projects?
- How do you approach troubleshooting and problem-solving in SAP systems?
- What SAP modules have you worked with, and what specific functions have you performed within them?
- How do you stay current with the latest SAP technologies and updates?
- Can you provide examples of how you have customized or configured SAP modules to meet business requirements?
- Can you walk us through your experience with SAP system administration and maintenance tasks?
- What is your experience with data migration and integration between SAP and other systems?
- How have you collaborated with cross-functional teams in SAP projects?
- Can you explain the difference between customizing and configuring SAP modules?
- Can you give an example of a complex SAP implementation you have worked on and how you addressed any challenges that arose?”
Michael Koh
Michael Koh is the Senior IT Director at PropNex.
“One important SAP interview question is:
What experience do you have in implementing or supporting SAP?
This question is crucial because it helps the interviewer assess your level of expertise and practical experience with SAP. Your response should demonstrate your knowledge of various SAP modules, such as Finance (FI), Controlling (CO), Sales and Distribution (SD), Materials Management (MM), or Production Planning (PP), and any relevant certifications you may have.
Be prepared to discuss specific projects you have worked on, challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. Your answer should showcase your ability to work in a team, communicate effectively, and deliver results.”
Alex Williams
Alex Williams is an eCommerce business owner, a Certified Financial Planner, and the CFO of FindThisBest, a comprehensive guide for shopping retail products based in Temasek Boulevard, Singapore.
“One of my favorite questions to ask candidates is:
What is your experience working with data migration?
This is an important question that not many candidates are prepared for. Data migration is a vital part of SAP.
A lot of customers come in from legacy systems, and it’s our job to ensure that the migration happens flawlessly. This is why I need to know if the candidate has prior experience with this. I prefer candidates who have worked on multiple projects that involve data migration. This shows that they’re aware of the challenges one may face and know how to overcome them.”
Elisa Bender
Elisa Bender is the co-founder of RevenueGeeks and has expertise in shopping, eBusiness, and eCommerce.
“My favorite SAP interview question is:
What are the different types of modules in SAP?
The correct answer to this question will enable me to understand the knowledge base of the candidate about SAP. If they are familiar with the modules, they will be easily able to fit into the vacant job role. It is because this question entails their prowess over SAP.
Another question that I love asking during SAP interviews is:
Is SAP a database?
If the candidate knows the difference between a database and SAP, I would hire them immediately, because not many people do.”
Pedro Braz
Pedro Braz is a finance enthusiast and co-founder of Investing in the Web.
“One of my favorite SAP interview questions is:
What experience do you have with SAP implementation?
This question allows you to evaluate the candidate’s level of experience and how well they can work with SAP software. It also helps you understand their problem-solving skills and how they approach challenges.
Another question I like to ask is:
How do you approach testing and troubleshooting in SAP?
This question allows you to understand their approach to testing and troubleshooting processes in SAP. It can give you insights into their technical knowledge, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills.”
These SAP interview questions will help you identify the best SAP candidates. Partnering with an experienced SAP consultant like Argano provides you with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in supply chain process planning, finance and operations with the SAP platform. Contact Argano today to learn how our SAP experts can help you build a robust digital foundation and adaptive processes that can withstand today’s unpredictable marketplace.
