I’ve been at SAP for over 15 years and I’m still at T-2. All the great leaders who I worked left the company. It’s really who you know that can get you a nice bump in salary. I’ve tried multiple times and nothing. If you have a mediocre leader, they typically don’t do much for the employees.
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@ex you’re not alone in this feeling. In the same boat and just trying to find the motivation to keep going. It feels very defeating at times, especially in this job market. But try to remember- there’s more to life than a job at SAP. All the work piling on and “high priority” demands make it seem as if not, but can’t fall into that trap for our own mental health.
@ar That hits. I am in the process of applying out as we speak and my primary motivation is how depressed I've been lately due to work. My work day sets the tone for the rest of my day. I used to log in, ki-l it, and then take that motivation to get other things done outside of work. Now I log off and all I want to do is go back to bed and get the day over with so I can get to the next weekend or vacation.
I can't count how many times I blamed myself and told myself to stop making excuses only to find out that something is changing again for the worse. I am willing to literally get paid half of my salary if it means leaving. I'd rather make less and enjoy more than make more and enjoy less.
Keep in mind that there is no one answer to a question like this. There are so many variables. Many here are offering solid advice but it is based on their own personal experience in the company. Many of my friends are current and former employees of SAP and few of them have had the same experience.
I feel the primary factor is who your direct manager is. That certainly played a factor in my promotions. He had my back but even then I had to reach out to his superiors a few times. I haven't asked for a promotion in years because I personally don't feel that I deserve one. My heart hasn't been into it. Every time I start to feel that spark again some awful change is implemented and it takes me right back out of it.
Maybe start by telling your direct manager that you would like to focus on doing what you need to do to level up. That will appeal to company shills and normal people because it's a positive sounding broad statement. If they respond with a bunch of SAP buzzword talking points then basically just emulate what they do. If they're not helpless d-mb as--s and can actually relate to real people then they will give you clear direction.
@ds That is a very solid piece of advice.
@OP It takes longer if you stay in your team.
The fastest way is to find a T3 open position in another team and get it.
It's fast because SAP has already allocated the budget for the open position...no need to fight several years for a promotion.
Your team will always see you "small"...it's like our parents they always see us as their little kids even of you're 60 :-)
@cp No he did not.
He does not even work at SAP.
I mean, c'mon! He is a superhero! His very first roundhouse kick became known as the Big Bang! He won a fight against Superman and forced him to wear his pants on the outside ever since!
He would never tolerate what is happening at SAP. He would have sorted out the board years ago if he were an employee.
Chuck got promoted from T1 to T5 within one day.
@an are you talking about Herrn Fassbender? He joined as a working student and moved from T3 to T5PM in less than three years. Now he moved to the CEO office. If you have friends within the executive board, you can get 30 years worth of career growth in less than 5 years. That’s SAP for you.
@aj SAP limits pay hikes to 7-10% when you move from one role to another within the company. Check your current pay and the add 7-10% to it. Compare that with the pay for T3 levels and you'll get a better idea.
But as others have said, it's true that a majority of the promotions are through your network. try to build a good network within SAP.
The best time to move on is always now, even when the market isn’t great. Start working on your exit plan today. You can’t change the system—sometimes the best solution is simply to find a new job.
Work on side projects, learn new skills, and take care of your health by exercising. I waited far too long to make the jump. I stayed for 10 years as a T2, stuck in a bad relationship with my manager. I hated the outdated programming languages and tools, and the endless marketing hype that led nowhere. For a long time, I was depressed and started doing my work sloppily.
Fortunately, I eventually pulled myself together. I worked hard at my job while spending my spare time learning new technologies. It wasn’t easy—and that’s exactly why it was worth it. I applied to many roles and eventually landed my current position.
My salary doubled, I earned a better title with solid perks, and now I get to work with modern, cutting-edge technologies.
Now looking back, the only regret I have is that I waited for too long using all kinds of excuses, wasted 10 of the most productive years of my career!
There is, simply put, no career path that can help anyone in the company getting promoted. Only family and friends club can succeed. I saw a case of T1.3 getting promoted to T2.3 in a year, and a double promotion the year after, from t3.2 to T4.1
@ac Thank you, and is it compulsory to go each sub level like t2-2 to t2-3 to get to t3?
If you get along with your manager and have consistently exceeded performance, you should be able to move from T2 to T3 in a couple of years. Another thing that matters is your grade under T2 and current pay. If you have a very high pay for T2, it's easier for your manager to promote you. Best to talk with your manager as they have up-to-date information at any given time.
If you don't get along with your manager, change teams. In all the years at SAP, almost every manager I have seen promote based on "vibe" and how well they get along with you rather than your actual performance. If your manager starts to give you bull$hit answers like saying the Betriebsrat might stop it or they don't have budget, run. Run to another team or company where they value your work. That manager is most likely part of the infamous "boys club" at SAP where they only promote friends and family.
Good luck.