In today’s competitive Salesforce ecosystem, how you market your skillset and package up your previous experiences plays a huge role in catching the eye of potential employers. Over 5 million professionals have leveled up their knowledge and skills using Trailhead - so, how can you stand out?

Create an effective & precise resume - and maintain it!

A resume is oftentimes your first impression with potential employers, so I recommend starting your marketing efforts here. Take time to comb through your vast skill set and pick out bits and pieces that will apply to the position you are applying for and showcase these in your resume. Keep it clear, concise, and tailored for each role you are pursuing.
Don’t be afraid to brag about yourself! Did you completely streamline sales processes AND support an org of 300+ users daily - YEAH YOU DID! Slap those certifications on there and include your triumphs while writing in affirmative, quantitative language that will convey what you did and how this affected the company.
Don’t forget to use spell check and have some peers (or your favorite Hireforce recruiter) review it for you. Here’s another Hireforce blog with all sorts of tidbits on resume building - check it out!

Connect with other professionals - virtually & in person!

Rev up your LinkedIn engine and get connected – Focus on expanding your online network of other Salesforce professionals via LinkedIn. Seek out individuals at your level and the level you strive to achieve one day and send connection requests with messages that start conversations around progress and growth in the industry. When I first started working in the Salesforce space, I would spend the first part of my day (every day, for weeks) connecting on LinkedIn with other individuals on a similar career path and notable individuals in the ecosystem that posted content I enjoyed reading. Yes, focus on connecting with professionals in your geographic location, but also across the world! Grow and cultivate a community you are excited to virtually interact with. Additionally, I recommend connecting with Hireforce’s specialized group of recruiters we won’t bite & are happy to discuss career options and share open roles we are working on.
Attend local Salesforce events – oftentimes you’ll find posts in your local User Groups. Our Denver team has attended several Denver User Group meet-ups and happy hours that have led to countless new connections in the ecosystem. It doesn’t always have to be an official user group event either - if you live in the same city as a Salesforce pal, meet up for coffee, a walk, or any activity that might foster a chance to learn and grow from each other. With over 1,300+ Community Groups across 90 countries, get plugged in with one (or ten)! Find groups that resonate with your interests and geographic location: Trailhead Group Finder
Attend Salesforce conferences – the sheer wealth of knowledge bouncing around in these conference rooms is palpable. I was able to attend three conferences this past year and it grew my network vastly. Rubbing elbows with some influential professionals in the Salesforce ecosystem is unmatched when it comes to getting connected and getting your name out there. Shout out to Midwest Dreamin’, WITNESS Success, and Mile High Dreamin’, what a blast!
Put yourself out there – Have trouble getting plugged in locally & in person? Connect with Salesforce professionals you admire on LinkedIn and ask them about their progress in the ecosystem. Seek out individuals with titles you’re interested in and virtually pick their brains on how they got there.

Package up your previous history - add a bow while you’re at it!

Marketing your previous experience (Salesforce related or not) to a potential employer is HUGE. Before interviewing, before applying, even before considering this new dream job of yours, figure out how your past accomplishments and experiences translate to this team and their efforts.
A couple of applicable scenarios I’ve come across with new-to-Salesforce-professionals:
- Worked in the education industry? You’re probably great at explaining concepts efficiently and promoting new ways to learn processes. User adoption, bingoooo!
- Worked in the finance industry? Maybe you’re still passionate about similar financial processes and aspects that can translate to the Financial Services Cloud, B2B storefronts, or the CPQ managed package. Check these concepts out on Trailhead and start studying/earning badges.

Leveling up your skill set – get specialized *sung in the tune of Get Physical*

If you haven’t already, create a Trailhead account and start clicking through modules, trails, and quizzes. While I am entirely aware that certifications require a commitment of your time and finances, there are plenty of free resources on Trailhead that can still help you advance and showcase your skills. I recommend finding aspects of Salesforce (managed packages, clouds, apps on the AppExchange) that pique your interest and can set you apart from others.
Don’t stop at Trailhead, explore other online training resources:

Got the skills down pat but having a hard time adding the experience piece to the puzzle?

While you’re seeking out that stellar dream job, pick up part-time projects, volunteer work, or create your apps/processes that can provide concrete examples of what you’ve done in the ecosystem and how you have mastered certain skills beyond the training resources. Sending supplementary information and examples of your work to your recruiter and potential employers will help you stand out in the stack of resumes on their desks.