SAP

Jun 13, 2024

Unlocking Insights into the Dynamic SAP Talent Market: Key Takeaways from SAP Talent Survey Webinar

The SAP Talent Survey Webinar, hosted by Sara de Cruz and Jay Wynter, provided an in-depth overview of the current SAP job market based on their annual talent survey. The SAP team from Precision Sourcing shared insights from their latest survey, which gathered responses from 500 SAP professionals and data from approximately 1,000 weekly calls.

Key highlights from the webinar include:

1.  Demographics and Market Data:

    • The survey revealed that there are approximately 6,700 SAP professionals in Australia, with 84% of them active on LinkedIn.
    • The gender disparity in the SAP market is notable, with only 17% being women, down from over 20% in 2023.

2. Employment Trends:

    • During COVID-19, the SAP market saw a decline in professionals due to border closures, but there has been a recent increase, particularly from New Zealand candidates moving to Australia.
    • There is a significant challenge in finding junior resources, as nearly half of the SAP talent pool has more than 15 years of experience.

3. Hiring Practices and Job Acquisition:

    • Almost 47% of SAP professionals found their last job through recruiters, and 20% via referrals, underscoring the importance of relationships and networks in job placement.
    • The acceptance of counteroffers has doubled to 12% in the past year, reflecting a cautious job market driven by a need for security and stability.

4. Candidate Preferences:

    • While remuneration remains the top driver for job changes (41%), other important factors include technology, leadership, and work-from-home flexibility. These non-monetary factors are increasingly crucial for attracting and retaining talent.

5. Strategies for Hiring Managers:

    • To combat the talent shortage, especially among women, it’s recommended to look within the company for potential candidates and to focus on cross-skilling existing employees.
    • Face-to-face interactions during the hiring process are essential for understanding candidates’ motivations and creating a compelling job offer.

6. Retention Challenges:

    • Many candidates who accept counteroffers do not stay beyond 12 months, suggesting that underlying issues are often not resolved by simply offering more money.

In summary, the webinar emphasized the dynamic nature of the SAP job market, the ongoing challenges in diversity and talent acquisition, and the importance of understanding and addressing the multifaceted drivers of job satisfaction among SAP professionals.

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