From ERP project to interim pitch: how to showcase your expertise effectively

A large share of interim finance assignments in 2025 revolve around system implementation projects, observes Mearg Tafla, interim finance recruitment specialist at Robert Walters. ERP transitions are in high demand, with SAP phasing out support for older versions of its software by 2027. The same applies to consolidation systems like Hyperion (HFM), which is being replaced by modern solutions such as Onestream.

For organisations, this means critical transitions are on the horizon—and for interim professionals, it’s an opportunity to add real value. But how do you convince a hiring manager in a short conversation that you’re the right person for the job? Mearg Tafla shares his advice.

1. Focus on Impact, Not Tasks

Mearg: “Many interim professionals describe what they’ve done in past roles, but forget to highlight the outcome. Simply saying you ‘contributed to a SAP implementation’ doesn’t tell the client what value you added. That’s why I always recommend using the STAR method.”

The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) helps you structure your experience in a way that clearly shows your role, how you worked, and what you achieved. For example:

• Situation: “At an international logistics company, the implementation of SAP S/4HANA was delayed due to unstandardised finance processes.”
• Task: “As an interim business controller, I was tasked with streamlining the invoicing and month-end processes to make them ERP-ready.”
• Action: “Within four weeks, I mapped all existing processes, eliminated redundancies, and collaborated with both finance and IT to create a new workflow. I also led weekly working sessions with key users to ensure alignment and documented everything for onboarding.”
• Result: “Thanks to this approach, the finance team went live on time and was fully operational on SAP from day one. Month-end closing time was reduced by 30%.”
   

2. Speak the Language of the Hiring Manager

A CFO and an IT project manager view implementations from different angles. Make sure your story resonates with your audience. With a CFO, for instance, highlight how the new system improves cash flow visibility or cost control.

Mearg: “Think in advance about which technical terms you should use or avoid. That way, during the interview, you can focus on connection and content. Showing you understand what matters to the person in front of you is a big plus.”

3. Show Ownership

Hiring managers don’t just look for technical experience—they want someone who takes full ownership of their part in a project. Someone who delivers results, makes decisions, and gives the client confidence that things are in good hands.

Mearg: “Explain how you manage deadlines, make decisions under pressure, and bring others along with you. Use examples that show you spot issues early and proactively adjust your course where needed.”

Key soft skills that matter in implementation projects include:

• Communication: Can you explain what’s happening—and why—clearly and effectively?
• Stakeholder management: Can you align competing interests?
• Change resilience: How do you deal with resistance or ambiguity?
• Analytical thinking: Can you quickly identify where processes are breaking down?

Prepare examples for each of these. The STAR method works well for soft skills, too.

4. Show How You Deliver Value Fast

Hiring managers want to know what impact you can make within the first few weeks or months. Mention one or two quick wins from previous assignments, such as:

“I led the transition from Oracle to SAP at an international organisation. I focused on chart of accounts setup and aligning data migration with IT. The go-live was seamless, and month-end reporting was accurate from period one.”

“After the SAP S/4HANA go-live, I trained the finance team in SAP Fiori. Within two months, they worked independently in the new system, eliminating the need for external support.”

“During a Hyperion-to-Onestream migration, I mapped the entire chart of accounts and built validation rules and dashboards. Within six weeks, the finance team was producing accurate monthly reports directly from Onestream.”

Mearg: “When you can clearly demonstrate what results you’ll deliver in the first few months, clients are more likely to get internal buy-in for your hire. You show that your time is an investment with a fast return.”

More information

Want to learn more about the opportunities as an interim professional? Read more about making the switch to interim or get in touch with Mearg Tafla, recruitment consultant Interim, at Mearg.Tafla@robertwalters.com or tel. +31 (0)20 644 4655.