Over the years, enterprise resource planning has continued to gain popularity as companies make effort to integrate their departments and functions. ERP consultants help businesses to create and implement ERP solutions, which optimize services, business processes as well as human resource management. When it comes to hiring an ERP consultant, an employer should ensure to pick the most qualified candidate in order to get the best performance. These top 20 ERP consultant interview questions and answers feature the main areas you should test to identify the right candidate.
1. Tell Us About Yourself
The interviewer uses this question to know you and your competencies.
Tip #1: Mention your education and experience
Tip #2: State one or two things you aim to accomplish
Sample Answer
I hold a bachelor’s degree in information technology. I also have an ERP certification. I have worked as an ERP consultant for nine years. Over this period, I gained extensive knowledge about enterprise resource planning. I understand the ins and outs of ERP systems. Therefore, I will use my expertise to support your company to use integrated applications to automate different functions related to human resource, services, and technology.
2. Why Do You Want to Work in This Organization?
Here, the interviewer seeks to understand why you are interested in working with the organization.
Tip #1: State why you want to work for the organization
Tip #2: Give a convincing and genuine reason
Sample Answer
Your organization has made a name in the industry for developing solutions that have empowered many people across the globe. It refines and improves its processes to maintain that leading position. I also know that your organization empowers its workforce in various ways including training. For these reasons, I would want to work with you to not only help to enhance your services even further but also benefit from your employee empowerment program.
3. What Roles does an ERP Consultant Perform?
Your familiarity with the roles performed by an ERP consultant is assessed using this question.
Tip #1: Mention some roles performed by ERP consultants
Tip #2: Show that you are familiar with your roles
Sample Answer
The primary role of an ERP consultant is to implement and offer support for ERP systems. He or she analyses systems and works hand in hand with the management and the client to define system requirements. ERP consultants select and implement ERP solutions as well as train and support users about those systems. They also ensure that everyone across the organization stays informed about ERPs.
4. As an ERP Consultant, What are Your Duties?
The interviewer wants to know whether you know your responsibilities.
Tip #1: State several duties that you will perform in this role
Tip #2: Don’t mull over the answer, otherwise you will create doubts
Sample Answer
One of my responsibilities is to examine the existing system to identify its strengths and setbacks. Another duty is to develop and configure customized ERP systems. Next, I will be organizing and conducting user training. Other duties include performing routine maintenance of the ERP system and upgrading it, resolving system issues, providing technical support, documenting ERP processes, and determining ERP needs.
5. Name Three Vital ERP Consulting Skills?
The interviewer wants to know whether you possess the necessary skills to perform this role excellently.
Tip #1: State two or three skills that related to this role
Tip #2: Be clear and precise with your answer
Sample Answer
Technical or coding skills are critical in this role because it involves upgrading and troubleshooting the ERP software. Another essential skill is problem-solving. An ERP consultant is often called upon to resolve ERP software issues. Effective communication skills are also vital in this role as the consultant communicates with various people including the management and users.
6. Name the Various Types of ERP Available
The interviewer wants to test your knowledge about the types of ERPs.
Tip #1: Name different kinds of ERPs
Tip #2: Be precise and go straight to the point
Sample Answer
Oracle Financials, JD Edwards, BAAN, SAP, PeopleSoft, and Siebel are the available types of ERPs. SAP systems are most common in many companies as they have several advantages over other ERPs.
7. What Do You Understand by SAP
This question tests whether you know the meaning of SAP.
Tip #1: Provide the meaning of SAP
Tip #2: Provide a clear and specific answer
Sample Answer
SAP is a multinational software firm that develops enterprise software for managing business operations and processes. It was founded in Germany in 1972 under the name: Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing.
8. Why Would You Advice a Company to Implement SAP
Here, the interviewer tests your familiarity with the features of the SAP software.
Tip #: Mention what makes SAP exceptional
Tip #2: Show that you are skilled in SAP systems
Sample Answer
There are several technical features that make SAP better than other ERP systems. SAP is highly configurable, maximizes data consistency, and minimizes data redundancy. Also, it is highly secure when it comes to data handling. Besides, the system offers tight integration across different functions.
9. What is IDES in SAP?
Your understanding of the abbreviation “IDES” is tested here.
Tip #1: Define the meaning of IDES
Tip #2: Provide a complete and brief answer
Sample Answer
IDES is an acronym for the Internet Demonstration and Evaluation System. In SAP, it represents a model global company with subsidiaries in various countries. It has application data regarding several business scenarios, which can run on SAP systems. The model reflects a real-life business. IDES depicts the possibility of integrating SAP in your business.
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10. Differentiate Native Sql from Open Sql
Here, you are assessed whether you understand the difference between the two concepts.
Tip #1: Define Open Sql and Native Sql.
Tip #2: Show the difference between the two terms.
Sample Answer
Native Sql permits the inclusion of database-specific Sql statements in ABAP programs. These statements cannot run with a different database. On the other hand, Open Sql helps to access all the database tables available in SAP r3 systems, irrespective of the manufacturer.
11. What Do You Understand by Datasets
The interviewer wants to test whether you know the meaning of datasets.
Tip #1: Define datasets
Tip #2: Show that you are familiar with datasets
Sample Answer
Datasets are a collection of related sets of data. Although they have separate elements, one can manipulate them as a unit using a computer. In the case of tabular data, a dataset is one or multiple database tables with every table representing a certain variable.
12. What Do You Understand by OLAP?
This question tests whether you understand the meaning of Olap.
Tip #1: Define OLAP
Tip #2: Support your answer with a brief explanation
Sample Answer
OLAP means Online Analytical Processing. This is a reporting tool that is configured such that it can understand your database schema, dimensions, and composition facts. Using this feature, users can run several user-designed reports even without any knowledge about Sql or the schema.
13. Describe Internal Tables and Transparent Table.
Your familiarity with these two terms is tested using this question.
Tip #:1 Define each of these terms
Tip #2: Give a specific answer that differentiates each from the others
Sample Answer
Internal tables are standard data type object that only exists during the runtime of a program. Transparent Tables, on the other hand, appear in the same structure in a database as fields and data.
14. Why are ERP Systems Important?
Here, the interviewer wants to know whether you understand the importance of implementing an ERP system.
Tip #1: State the importance of using ERP systems
Tip #2: Provide the correct answer without mulling
Sample Answer
ERPs help to integrate all functions and departments across the entire organization into a unified system. These systems serve all the needs of each function and department. For instance, an ERP integrates the HR, finance, marketing, and manufacturing departments. The importance of this integration is that all departments can communicate and share information easily and promptly. Besides, an ERP streamlines workflows and processes, reduces redundant data entry processes, improves information access, reduces expenses, and improves customer satisfaction.
15. What are the Components of an Average ERP System?
The interviewer seeks to know if you are familiar with the components of a basic ERP system.
Tip #1: Name the components that an average ERP system should have
Tip #2: Be specific and brief
Sample Answer
An average ERP system has a management view, transactional database, workflow management, and analysis and reporting tools. Other additional components include logistics and human resource functions.
16. What is Your Programming Background?
Configuring and upgrading ERPs require programming skills. The interviewer wants to assess your programming abilities.
Tip #1: State the programming languages that you are skilled in
Tip #2: Show that you can configure or upgrade ERPs
Sample Answer
I am skilled in PHP, C++, Java, and Ruby. With these programming abilities, I can work with, configure, and upgrade different ERP systems. I am also knowledgeable about SQL and Oracle databases.
17. What is the Importance of Data Dictionaries?
Here, the interviewer wants to test your knowledge about data dictionaries.
Tip #1: Mention the importance of data dictionaries
Tip #2: Show that you understand ERP data storage
Sample Answer
Data dictionaries have definitions for the data types used in relational databases. They are particularly vital for cross-functional projects. They direct users about inputting data even when one isn’t familiar with the system. Additionally, they assist development teams to reach an agreement on data requirements.
18. What is your Experience with ERP Training Programs?
The interviewer wants to know the experience you have had with ERP training.
Tip #1: Briefly describe the lessons you have learned from ERP training
Tip #2: Show that you can develop effective training programs
Sample Answer
Training is among the essential elements of ERP implementation. Investing in the best system is a waste of resources if proper user training is not conducted. Thus, users should know how to perform their work using the new ERP system. Moreover, they should understand how different functions can simplify their job.
19. Why can it be Troublesome to Bring a Project Under Budget?
The interviewer seeks to know whether you understand that technical decisions have financial consequences.
Tip #1: Show how technical decisions affect the budget
Tip #2: Demonstrate how the problem can arise
Sample Answer
Deployments and upgrades of ERPs can be expensive and result in costs that surpass initial budget estimates. This arises particularly when there is a need to include modules that were not planned for. When a decision is made to have additional modules, it becomes challenging to work on the project within the budget. This is because the cost of the extra modules was not considered from the beginning.
20. How will Technological Developments Affect ERPs?
This question tests your ability to forecast technological advancements and their impact on ERPs.
Tip #1: Describe how future technological developments will impact ERPs
Tip #1: Provide a direct and relevant answer
Sample Answer
Technological developments will affect ERPs in many ways. Advancements in robotic process automation continue to get more sophisticated, thereby eliminating manual interventions from workflow processes. The integration of such advancements in ERPs will mean that more workflows and processes will be automated. Similarly, advancement in artificial intelligence will make ERPs more sophisticated and give them the ability to analyze and react to data. Besides, these systems will have the ability to process more data and more storage capacities.
Conclusion
If you are planning for your next ERP consultant interview, you can count on these interview questions and answers to make the process stress-free. They cover the areas that are commonly tested by employers from different industries. You take less time to assess the skillsets of different candidates. Moreover, these questions and answers help to eliminate confusion concerning the correct responses. Using the sample answers makes it quick to know if a candidate has given the right response or not. If you are a candidate, you now know what to expect during the interview.
