As with most big, in-person events this year, the team at Salesforce had to completely reimagine their signature event, Dreamforce. The good news for professionals that rely on this annual event for networking, education, and opportunity was that instead of canceling, Salesforce brought Dreamforce directly into the homes and offices of their ecosystem loyalists with Dreamforce to You 2020.
As such, those looking to grow within the ecosystem were not left behind, and are even getting one more chance to experience all things Salesforce during the upcoming virtual Dreamforce Trailblazer Experience, DreamTX – starting December 14.
All of this to say that this buffet of Salesforce goodness will no doubt create an enhanced interest in Salesforce related professions, especially as many weigh new ways to make a living and get ahead in this new normal of ours. And if you are thinking that a career in CRM is the right path for you, then a specialty in the leading CRM probably isn’t a bad bet.
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One of the most sought after roles within the Salesforce ecosystem is that of Salesforce administrator, which is not a bad career choice when you consider the average admin salary is $95,000 – with an annual growth rate of 37 percent. The role of Salesforce administrator is also somewhat future-proof. As Salesforce orgs become more complex, the role of administrator becomes all the more important. As a matter of fact, if an organization is using Salesforce, it most likely needs a Salesforce administrator.
Salesforce administrators are the critical piece in translating business objectives into IT processes, and are the go to for streamlining those processes for efficiency and ease of use. This includes Salesforce org management, optimization, and maintenance.
But how does one get ahead in the world of Salesforce, and become an admin that companies will want to hire? The answer is simple, network and earn certifications. But, it is important to note that not all certifications are created equal. However, here are three that are sure to skyrocket your career as a Salesforce administrator:
Salesforce Administrator Certification
The must-have certification for anyone looking to launch their career as a Salesforce administration is the Salesforce Administrator Certification. The Administrator Certification is designed for those who have some experience with Salesforce but are looking for ways to go beyond the basics with a mastery of complex features and capabilities.
“The Salesforce administrator certification offers some major benefits,” said Salesforce consultant Justin Robinson. “It increases your marketability in the job market, because it makes you a subject matter expert. And it is the foundational element that opens the door to even more certifications in the future. The more certifications you add, the more money you can make within the Salesforce ecosystem.”
But what if you don’t have Salesforce experience?
If you are new to the Salesforce ecosystem, the very first thing you should do is join Trailhead. Above all else, Trailhead is a learning platform designed to provide ongoing education so that people can continuously advance their careers within the Salesforce ecosystem. Trailhead has over 600,000 users, and is the go to for anyone looking to expand Salesforce knowledge.
The very next thing aspiring professionals should do is join the Trailblazer Community. The Trailblazer Community helps professionals thrive in the Salesforce economy. Within the Trailblazer Community, there are various community groups that foster learning with your peer, networking and find mentoring. Once you are set up on Trailhead, and have made your way into the Trailblazer community, you will be on your way to earning your first certification.
Metazoa Snapshot Certification
After administrators complete the Salesforce Administration Certification, the next step in the process should be learning new tools that can help automate some of the manual processes associated with Salesforce org management and maintenance. One such tool is Metazoa Snapshot. And Metazoa, developers of the Salesforce ecosystem’s top software toolset for org management, has a certification program designed specifically for Salesforce professionals looking to master Metazoa Snapshot.
Created in 2006, Metazoa Snapshot was the first org management solution designed specifically for Salesforce and was one of the first App’s offered on the Salesforce AppExchange. It is the go to solution for any Salesforce admin that wants an automated solution to tackle some of the heavy work often given to developers.
Metazoa’s new Snapshot Certification program is a three-part virtual course designed to empower Salesforce professionals with the skills needed to manage complex Salesforce orgs while teaching them how to best utilize the leading org management application Metazoa Snapshot.
“Salesforce administrators are the key to problem-free, complex Salesforce org management,” said Jill Hourani, VP, Marketing and Customer Success at Metazoa. “However, beyond traditional certifications, there are limited opportunities for them to continue their professional development. That’s why we created Snapshot Certification, so Salesforce administrators can further transform their careers, increase responsibility, and enhance earning potential.”
Metazoa’s Snapshot Certification is a virtual program, conducted in three parts; Snapshot Basics, Org Cleanup and Optimization, and Security and Deployment. Upon completion of each phase participants will be awarded a badge, and those that complete the final with an 80% or higher will receive their certification. Participants can take the final as many times as needed, without extra cost.
The certification program is being introduced at $150 per participant for a limited time, and then will be offered at the standard rate of $200 per participant moving forward – with a possible discount of $50 for participants that share their badges and certificate on social media.
Salesforce Advanced Administrator Certification
Once Salesforce administrators have mastered the basics, and understand some of the leading tools of the trade, the next step is to become Advanced Administrator certified. The Salesforce Advanced Administrator credential is designed for seasoned admins who have mastered the ability to utilize advanced Salesforce features and functionality to solve a variety of business problems. It is for administrators who are ready to significantly ramp up their skills and knowledge by using Salesforce.
Under Salesforce Advanced Administrator certification, real-world scenarios are used. And that’s why an advanced working knowledge of Salesforce is a must before attempting the advanced certification. Some of the challenges in the exam include generating complex reports and dashboards, extending Salesforce with custom objects and apps, and automating complex processes – another reason the Metazoa Snapshot mastery is an important precursor.
With all of this, it is important to remember that Salesforce is a tool. As such, like any technology, it can be learned. You don’t have to be a code warrior to do it. Anyone can learn it.
Whether you are new to Salesforce or looking to enhance your skills as an administrator, now is the time to get started.
If you are interested in even more business-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels, then we have a lot to choose from.
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