JD Edwards developers (also called programmers) typically have an RPG background for JDE's World Software client base. Developers interested in starting an EnterpriseOne career typically are already employed by a JDE client as a C or Web programmer. Technical resources with a strong business process background will usually find it easier to find a position than those who are strictly technical.
With those distinctions in mind, how do you become a JDE consultant in today's marketplace? It isn't easy to make the transition in this economy. Presently, there is an oversupply of JDE talent, and an undersupply of job opportunities.

The best way to become a consultant is to work for several years for a JD Edwards client, in either a functional (key business user) role, or a technical role. Although your job might not involve JDE software right away, if you want to have a JD Edwards career you should try to move into a position at your company where you can learn solid JDE skills, either in a functional or technical role. Two to four years spent implementing JD Edwards as a client employee are essential credentials these days.

JD Edwards certification can help get you in the door. It certainly won't hurt, and it might help separate you from the rest of the herd of uncertified and inexperienced consultants.

Also, you need to recognize that making the leap from working as a client to working as a consultant requires more than just JDE knowledge to be successful. Your people skills and project management skills will be stretched to the max as you make the transition.

If you have experience consulting in other enterprise applications (SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, Sage, etc.) and understand ERP implementation methodologies, you might be able to break into JDE from that side, bringing the consulting side of the skill set to the table. However, you'd still be considered a "junior" consultant and there aren't nearly as many junior consulting roles as there once were. The consulting side of the skills profile is not to be underestimated. It usually takes years to become a highly effective consultant. Nothing takes the place of experience on multiple projects, where you master the art of helping users to define their business requirements, guiding them through the implementation of JDE that meets their requirements, and leaving them with knowledge successfully transferred.

What is the bottom line to becoming a JD Edwards consultant?

If you have trouble landing a JDE consulting position, look to strengthen either your hands-on JD Edwards skills or your overall consulting skills. Then try again. In this market, persistence pays. And be smart about how to find a job; sending out hundreds of resumes rarely works. What does work is calling the hiring authority (not the HR department). For job hunting advice, click here.

We rarely see examples of people who are determined to become JDE consultants who don't eventually break through.

But sometimes you have to be creative about finding the right opportunity. Nothing takes the place of hands-on experience, so keep that in the forefront of your career planning at all times.