Entry Level Salesforce Careers Titles & Common Misconceptions
When we think of entry level Salesforce careers we are typically talking about job titles like Salesforce Administrator, Salesforce Business Analyst, Salesforce Project Manager or Salesforce Associate Consultant. These are just a few of the titles you can expect to see in entry level roles.
These are described as “declarative” or “point and click” which are really just clever ways of saying they aren’t developer/programmer roles. It means you don’t write code. It doesn’t mean they aren’t technical, it simply means the learning curve is less steep than moving into developer roles.
Common misconceptions about Salesforce Entry Level jobs:
– The job descriptions all ask for 2-3 years of experience so I can’t apply. While it’s true that most job postings have 2-3 years of experience listed, the reality is people with no experience typically land these roles. If you’re brand new you need to be applying to these.
– There are 100s if not 1000s of applicant on all job postings. Once again this is true, however after speaking with 20+ hiring teams it is clear that over 85% of all applicants are immediately dismissed due to being in the wrong country, only applied due to it being remote and have no idea what Salesforce is or they clearly fabricated their resume.
– The market is saturated. This also isn’t true, in fact you can scroll LinkedIn and see individuals starting new Salesforce jobs every single day including absolute beginners.
Now that we have some of those pesky doubts behind us let’s trust that we are just as capable and deserving of these jobs as the next person and start focusing on why we CAN do this, not why we can’t.
Here’s what you can expect in this article:
– Why People Struggle To Land A Salesforce Job In Today’s Market
– What’s The Formula & Free DIY Resources For Each Step
– The Most Credible Paid Salesforce Career Resources
– Other Free Ways To Learn & Expand Your Salesforce Career
Why People Struggle To Land a Salesforce Job
Many people struggle to land Salesforce entry-level jobs because they believe that simply having a Salesforce Certification and applying for hundreds of jobs will guarantee success. However, this approach overlooks several critical factors necessary for securing a position. Success in the Salesforce job market requires a strategic approach, which we will cover in the next section. While the path may not be easy, it is straightforward if you follow the outlined formula. By understanding and implementing these key strategies, you can significantly improve your chances of landing a Salesforce job.
So What’s The Formula For Success?
1. Salesforce Administrator Certification
- Description: A Salesforce Administrator Certification is a foundational requirement for most entry-level Salesforce positions. It demonstrates your knowledge of the Salesforce platform and commitment to learning. This is a baseline, not the whole puzzle.
- Further Explanation: Obtaining a Salesforce Certification is the first step towards establishing credibility in the field. It provides a structured learning path and ensures you have the necessary skills to understand and navigate the Salesforce ecosystem. However, it should be viewed as the beginning of your journey, not the end.
2. Focused/Strategic Networking
- Description: Building a professional network within the Salesforce community is crucial for uncovering job opportunities and gaining industry insights. The bottom line is if you aren’t on LinkedIn posting/sharing/commenting/engaging a few times a week then you likely won’t have a virtual network. If you’re looking for an in person meetup check for local “Salesforce Saturday” groups in your area.
- Further Explanation: Engaging with the Salesforce community through forums, social media groups, and local events can connect you with potential employers and mentors. Strategic networking involves building genuine relationships and actively participating in community activities, which can lead to valuable referrals and job leads. These networks lead to organic interview invitations as well as an easy to see involvement from potential employers reviewing your professional profile on LinkedIn.
3. 4-6 Weeks of Hands-On Experience
- Description: Practical experience is essential to complement your certification and demonstrate your ability to apply knowledge in real-world scenarios. Remember that the certification does not make you job ready.
- Further Explanation: Hands-on experience can be gained through internships, volunteer projects, or personal projects using Salesforce. This experience allows you to showcase your skills to employers and provides practical examples to discuss during interviews. It also helps you to become more comfortable with the platform and its applications.
4. Interview Preparation
- Description: Preparing thoroughly for interviews can make a significant difference in your ability to secure a job offer. Many individuals fail to prepare because they aren’t sure how. Not preparing for interviews effectively guarantees your inability to get a job.
- Further Explanation: Interview preparation should include researching the company, practicing common Salesforce interview questions, and developing strong answers that highlight your skills and experience. Mock interviews and feedback from mentors or peers can also be beneficial. Being well-prepared helps you present yourself confidently and effectively during the interview process.
5. Job Search Strategy
- Description: A targeted and strategic approach to job searching increases your chances of finding the right opportunity. Apply, apply, apply is not a strategy, that’s a sure fire way to become frustrated with the lack of response.
- Further Explanation: Instead of applying to hundreds of jobs indiscriminately, focus on positions that align with your skills and career goals. Tailor your resume and cover letter to each job, highlighting relevant experiences and certifications. Use job boards, company websites, and networking connections to find job openings. You should use your network from step 2 to see if you have any connections or 2nd connections at the company or those who might be able to make a soft introduction. Applications should take 10-20 minutes each, not 10-20 seconds.
The Most Credible Paid Salesforce Career Program
If you’re looking at the formula we just reviewed and are feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of the DIY approach it’s probably time to consider if a paid/guided approach to success is the right path for you. While a DIY approach can be great for many, it’s not for everyone. So let’s take a look at the only paid program that is widely accepted as the real deal.
How Can We Be Sure It Works?
One Salesforce Entry Level Career Program
Verified Stories
Constantly Giving Back To The Community
Free 5 Day Challenge
- What Is It? This challenge walks you through everything you need for the DIY approach to starting your career. From the right ways to use Trailhead to networking on LinkedIn to Interview prep and much more!
- Why You Need It?: I’ve seen hundreds of people claim that this challenge is where their Salesforce career got its start. Odds are it will work for you too.
Salesforce For Everyone Podcast
- What Is It? This is the #1 Salesforce Podcast in the world with 200+ 5 star reviews. Many attest they landed a job due to the podcast guidance alone. This podcast is dedicated to career seekers.
- Why You Need It: There’s a lot to learn in the Salesforce world, learning on the go makes it much easier. Their advice is to start with episodes 1-8 for everything you need to know to DIY starting your Salesforce career. They also facilitate a Facebook Group for beginners!
Trailblazer Mentorship Platform
- What Is It? This is a free platform dedicated to completely free 1:1 Salesforce Mentorship experiences for the Salesforce community. Cloud Code is a proud sponsor of the platform.
- Why You Need It: Mentorship can be hard to come by organically, taking months to develop meaningful connections that lead to true mentorship. With this platform you simply apply, get accepted and get access to select a mentor that feels right for you from 40+ highly qualified Salesforce professionals.
