As Q1 of 2025 wraps up, it’s clear that the European SAP recruitment landscape has shifted — and not just slightly. From our vantage point as a boutique recruitment agency working closely with some of Europe’s largest enterprises, we’ve seen firsthand how hiring strategies have become more conservative, even in traditionally stable sectors.
Budget Cuts and Delays: The New Normal?
One of the most defining trends so far this year has been the reevaluation of budgets — even for large-scale transformation projects. Companies that had previously been bullish on growth and digital transformation are now moving forward more cautiously. The result? A noticeable dip in the volume of demand for SAP consultants.
That doesn’t mean hiring has stopped — far from it. SAP professionals are still needed, especially for specialized roles. But what we’re seeing now is a more selective, value-driven approach. Clients are prioritizing candidates with niche technical skills combined with strong business acumen, and increasingly, the ability to operate in multilingual environments.
Slower Internal Processes and Delayed Starts
And yes — things are moving more slowly. Internal processes on the client side have become more drawn-out, often due to heightened sign-off. Getting an offer is only half the battle these days — we’ve seen multiple cases where the official start date doesn’t happen for weeks, sometimes even months, as companies navigate internal red tape and evolving priorities.
This trend has been particularly frustrating for both candidates and recruiters, as it disrupts planning and adds an extra layer of complexity to securing and scheduling talent.
What Do SAP Professionals Think?
We recently ran a LinkedIn poll within our network of SAP professionals to take the pulse of the market from the consultant side. Here’s what we found:
Our recent LinkedIn poll on the SAP consulting market reveals mixed sentiments:
- 42% of respondents said the market has been slower than expected and
- 32% reported lots of opportunities,
The fact that the largest share sees a slowdown aligns with broader industry observations — while SAP opportunities still exist, they are increasingly competitive, slower to materialize, and require more specialized expertise than in the past.
Looking Ahead
Q2 will likely follow a similar pattern. In the meantime, our advice to SAP consultants is this:
- Continue to upskill, especially in niche modules and emerging areas.
- Be patient but prepared. When the right opportunity comes, the turnaround may still be swift.
As always, we’re here to help both our clients and candidates navigate these changes. If you’re looking for tailored advice or just want to better understand how your profile fits into the current landscape, feel free to reach out.
