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Entering the Salesforce ecosystem solely based on a Salesforce certification is definitely going to be challenging. Employers always look for hands-on experience with the platform, along with a Salesforce certification. If you have both, you are certainly a preferred candidate over others. But what to do if you do not have the relevant experience? How to gain that valuable experience? If you find yourself in a similar situation and are ready to start your Salesforce adventure, read on further to learn the things to keep in mind in such circumstances.
Is this to argue that credentials aren’t valuable? Definitely not.
Salesforce Certifications can help you get a good IT CRM job, and Salesforce jobs can be highly profitable. In reality, becoming “employable” demands far more than a certification. Hence, you must also have real-world experience in the job role that you aspire to take up. Employers expect you to have at least a few Salesforce credentials, but if you don’t, you may be overlooked.
If you’re passionate about a career in Salesforce, you should start with the basic certification, i.e., Salesforce Administrator, and work your way towards other advanced credentials. If you have practical working experience with the platform, you will be able to demonstrate your skills to your employers better.
Which certification to do next can be a dilemma for many of us only because there are a variety of certification tracks catering to several job roles, and it just becomes overwhelming at times. So, the best way to go about it is when you choose a credential, it should be relevant to the job opportunities you want to pursue and try to match them to your previous work experience. The Salesforce Administrator Certification is worthwhile because it is the first step on the ladder and contributes to your resume.
Related read – How to get a Salesforce job?
Is it possible to get a Salesforce job without prior experience?
Although Salesforce job opportunities are plenty, it’s pretty hard to get a Salesforce job without experience, majorly because of the competence required for the job roles. However, it is not that tough to get started with a Salesforce career. For someone who has experience in Salesforce implementation may find it easier to find new work opportunities. They can even leverage their industry connections to land an interview opportunity for a new role.
But, for a person with absolutely no prior Salesforce experience, the same job search process can be challenging.
Nevertheless, securing a first Salesforce job at an entry-level position is a lengthy process, but it is not impossible. If you have heard of the term “Trailblazer” that Salesforce coined many years ago, then you should definitely check out some Trailblazer stories on YouTube, and you will realize how people from non-technical backgrounds have taken their Salesforce careers to the next level and are champions at what they do.
Related read – What jobs can you get with Salesforce certifications?
Here are the 5 ways in which you can get a Salesforce job without prior experience:
1. Join a Salesforce Network
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These organizations are run entirely by and for the community. Go to trailblazer community groups, find a user group near you, join their group and make sure to attend their next meetup. You may be aware of how Salesforce customers engage with the platform and how to connect with local Salesforce professionals who can help you find a position and answer your questions. These are some simple ways to learn new Salesforce platform features.
Joining such user groups or communities also helps you become a better team player and active listener and strengthens your communication skills, which are essential for landing a decent job. Even scrolling through the comments or articles made in the groups or communities can keep you updated on Salesforce’s latest developments, making your job hunt and interviews easier. Check out our Salesforce Slack community
2. Participate in an Internship
Taking a Salesforce internship is an excellent way for a Salesforce newbie to gain valuable experience in the Salesforce workplace and eventually land a decent Salesforce job. An internship is a type of employment for a set length of time during which the organization assigns the daily candidate responsibilities and evaluates their performance. To get picked as an intern in an organization, you must continuously scan all Salesforce job vacancies and then appear for a fast interview procedure.
You will gain industrial experience as a Salesforce intern and hourly pay ranging from $16 to $42.
Skills needed for a Salesforce Job:
- A clear understanding of Salesforce or SFDC Fundamentals
- Explicit knowledge of SQL and related database topics
- Proficient skills in Javascript and related frameworks
- Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities
- Excellent coding abilities
3. Volunteer Your Skills
Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals of Salesforce, it’s time to put your newfound knowledge to use in a real-world setting. Before looking for a full-time career, volunteering is an excellent method to strengthen your résumé.
Today, numerous Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) are using Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud, a tailor-made solution for nonprofits on top of Sales Cloud to manage their fundraising and volunteering activities. You can learn the Nonprofit Cloud on Trailhead, install the Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP) in your developer edition and practice the features. Then you will be able to take up volunteering work.
Also, keep an eye on all job boards to stay up with the Salesforce job vacancies. Many non-profit organizations are looking for certified Salesforce IT professionals to assist them in setting up or operating Salesforce projects.
4. Work as a Freelancer
Freelancing will be an add-on to your Salesforce talent. There are various websites where you can find remote Salesforce employment.
You can contact freelance websites or even firms that are looking for freelancers. Keywords like”salesforce jobs remote,” salesforce job entry-level,” freelance salesforce jobs,” and “salesforce jobs near me” can help you find ample work. As a result, you’ll be able to obtain much-needed hands-on experience, and networking opportunities will start to open up.
5. Get Certified
Achieving Salesforce certification is an essential step toward being recognized for your skills. Employers value Salesforce-certified specialists’ contributions to an organization and prefer to hire them above their non-certified counterparts.
Certification builds confidence, displays knowledge, and sets you apart from the competition. It shows the world that you understand your job role and how to use your skills effectively.
Explore more on “Is certification necessary to get a Salesforce job?”
Conclusion
Whether you’re a naive or seasoned candidate, what counts most is your enthusiasm to learn about Salesforce technology. Recruiting someone uninterested in their work is one of the top problems for organizations. A person willing to contribute to a community and is a self-learner is likely to be dedicated to accomplishing a successful job, and organizations are looking for similar candidates.
So, use any of the strategies described above to demonstrate your interest in Salesforce, develop a passion for yourself, and you’ll be able to land your desired job in no time. If certification is your preferred approach, don’t hesitate to enroll in the saasguru’s Salesforce certification prep course!
To fast-track your Salesforce career, enroll in our job-guaranteed Salesforce training program with a capstone project.
Explore about saasguru’s Salesforce learning app which is focused on increasing the skillsets of individuals and companies in preparation for Salesforce certification exams.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the skills and experience required for Salesforce jobs?
Skills:
- Understanding of Salesforce (or SFDC) Fundamentals: Familiarity with Salesforce’s features, capabilities, and how businesses can leverage them.
- Knowledge of SQL and Related Database Topics: Ability to work with databases, extract, and analyze data.
- Proficiency in JavaScript and Related Frameworks: Essential for developing and customizing Salesforce applications.
- Problem-Solving and Analytical Abilities: Needed to find solutions to complex business needs and challenges.
- Coding Abilities: Particularly if you’re aiming for a developer role.
Experience:
- Prior experience working with Salesforce platforms can be advantageous.
- Understanding how Salesforce solutions are deployed in real-world scenarios.
- If aiming for a developer role, experience in APEX (Salesforce’s proprietary language) can be crucial.
2. What are the best ways to prepare for a Salesforce job interview?
- Review the Basics: Brush up on Salesforce fundamentals.
- Research the Company: Understand their business model, how they might use Salesforce, and any specific modules they might focus on.
- Trailhead: Salesforce’s learning platform offers modules and projects to understand various aspects of the tool.
- Mock Interviews: Practice potential interview questions related to Salesforce.
- Show Practical Knowledge: Be prepared to discuss real-world scenarios where you applied Salesforce solutions.
3. What are some tips for landing a Salesforce job without experience?
- Get Certified: Achieving a Salesforce certification can give you an edge and show your commitment to the platform.
- Networking: Join Salesforce user groups or communities to connect with professionals in the field.
- Internships: Provides a gateway to gain practical experience.
- Volunteer: Offer your skills to NGOs or other organizations using Salesforce.
- Freelancing: Platforms like Upwork or Freelancer have opportunities for Salesforce projects that can help you build your portfolio.
4. What are the career growth opportunities for Salesforce professionals?
- Advanced Certifications: Professionals can go beyond the basic Salesforce Administrator certification and explore advanced certifications tailored to specific roles.
- Specialization: Areas like Salesforce development, consulting, and architecture offer deeper dives and can lead to higher-paying roles.
- Leadership: Experienced professionals can move into team leadership, project management, or strategic roles in larger organizations.
- Consulting: Given the demand for Salesforce, many choose to become consultants, offering their expertise to multiple businesses.
5. What are some resources that can help me learn more about Salesforce and prepare for a Salesforce job?
- Trailhead: Salesforce’s official learning platform with a plethora of modules, projects, and superbadges.
- Salesforce Communities: Engage with other professionals, ask questions, and share insights.
- YouTube: saasguru YouTube channel or the official Salesforce channel can be insightful.
- Courses & Training Programs: There are various training providers like Udemy, Coursera, or specialized institutions like saasguru providing top-notch Salesforce training programs.
