Thinking About Becoming a Salesforce Admin But You Don’t Have Experience?
Strong Salesforce admins have exceptional critical thinking, can go with the flow and adapt as necessary and are meticulously organized when managing multiple parts of a system, task or organization.
Salesforce Admins are essentially the “gatekeepers” of their companies’ Salesforce efforts. While some organizations have multiple admins on staff, many smaller businesses have just one admin — that person is the keeper of the keys. The head honcho. The go-to person.
Does it sound like a perfect fit so far? Keep reading!
How To Get A Salesforce Admin Job With No Experience
To get yourself on the fast track for great-paying, excellent Salesforce admin jobs, follow these steps:
Step #1 – Get Certified
Certification is a must for Salesforce admins who are eagerly looking for jobs. This is especially true for Salesforce rookies. And while you may have taken tests in the past, don’t think you’ll be able to easily cruise through your Salesforce admin certification exam. This is definitely a test that you’ll want to study, practice and in anyway possible prepare for in advance.
Thankfully, there are many resources available to help Salesforce admins pass their certification exam. The best place to start? Trailhead, Salesforce’s online education platform designed for developers and admins to help them stay on top of trends, move their careers forward and in this instance, kickstart their careers!
Be sure to check out Salesforce administrator certification exam study guide as well. The guide breaks down the exam into sections and helps you identify where you should spend most of your preparation time.
Once you’ve prepared and feel confident you’ll breeze through your certification exam, it’s time to schedule your exam. Exams are administered frequently and in many locations, so there’s likely a date and nearby location coming up that is convenient for your needs.
You’ll get just under 2 hours to complete your exam, so take your time and feel confident — this is the first step of your successful Salesforce Admin career!
TIP: You’ll be required to keep your certification active by passing three release exams each year, so it’s important to stay sharp and keep on top of the latest Salesforce updates.
Step #2 – Build Your Skills
Apart from getting certified, you’ll need to develop your skills in using Salesforce. You can do this by working on your own Salesforce projects, such as building custom objects, workflows, and reports. You can also contribute to open-source Salesforce projects and participate in the Salesforce community by joining user groups and attending events.
Step #3 – Join Your Local User Group
There are Salesforce user groups in many cities, packed with experienced admins and developers. These groups offer excellent opportunities to meet other Salesforce professionals, network, learn new skills and immerse yourself in the Salesforce community.
Step #4 – Volunteer For A Non-Profit To Gain Experience
Getting your first Salesforce admin job can be difficult. The reality is that most employers are looking for experience. But there are absolutely opportunities for you to build your experience (and your resume) before you land your first paid Salesforce admin role.
Many nonprofit organizations get their first ten (10) Salesforce licenses free. They need help, and you have the skills to help them! Not only does this help put your learning to use and boost your resume, it is an awfully good feeling to give back to your community.
As a heads up, most nonprofits use “Nonprofit Success Pack,” which is slightly different than regular Salesforce. You’ll want to familiarize yourself with NSP in advance — there are resources available on Trailhead to help.
Once you’re comfortable, it’s time to find a nonprofit. Taproot, VolunteerMatch and LinkedIn for Good are a few places where you can search for opportunities. Most opportunities do not require a full-time commitment, keeping your flexibility and options open.
Step #5 – Apply For Internships
Another great way to gain experience as a Salesforce admin is through internships. Many companies offer Salesforce admin internships, which can provide you with hands-on experience working with the platform. Even if the internship is unpaid, it’s still a valuable opportunity to learn and gain experience. You can search for internships on job boards or on company websites.
Step #6 – Consider Freelancing
If you’re having difficulty finding a full-time job as a Salesforce admin, consider freelancing. Many companies need help with Salesforce projects, but they may not have the budget or need for a full-time admin. You can offer your services on freelance job platforms or through your network. Freelancing can provide you with a way to gain experience, build your skills, and earn money while you continue to search for full-time opportunities.
Step #7 Be Persistent
Don’t give up. Keep working on your Salesforce skills, gaining experience, and networking. Apply to job openings, even if you don’t meet all of the qualifications. You never know what opportunities may come your way.
Step #4 – When Ready, Partner With A Staffing Firm That Specializes In Salesforce
Finding a job can be a full-time job in and of itself. And when you’re first getting started in a new career or role, it can be especially intimidating. A staffing firm that specializes in Salesforce recruiting (like Tech2!) has unique and in-depth experience and understanding of Salesforce, Salesforce jobs and what employers are looking for when hiring admins.
Here at Tech2, we work with rookie and experienced Salesforce admins to help them identify their goals, then find jobs that help them meet those goals. We can help you jumpstart your successful Salesforce career. To get started, search our currently available Salesforce admin jobs or reach out to us to learn more.
