After twenty-one years in business, Salesforce has become the leader in CRM software, capturing over 20% of the market.
Over time, they’ve developed a range of products to help companies connect with their customers better.
Some of these products include Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, Marketing Cloud, and more.
Their globalization has made available countless job opportunities across the platform and Nigerians aren’t left out.
What Is Salesforce?
Let’s break down what Salesforce is all about! Simply put, Salesforce is a CRM platform delivered as a service over the Internet. If you’re not sure what that means, don’t worry.
“SaaS” stands for “Software as a Service,” which means software you access through a web browser or app.
Think of popular services like Netflix, Spotify, Dropbox, or Gmail – they’re all examples of SaaS.
CRM stands for “Customer Relationship Management.”
Essentially, it’s a tool that helps businesses keep track of their customers, interactions, and purchases.
Even small businesses, like hairdressing salons or catering companies, use some form of CRM – maybe just a spreadsheet or a notebook.
But larger enterprises with thousands of employees, like international conglomerates, rely on CRM software like Salesforce.
And instead of hosting this software on their servers, it’s accessed through a web browser.
As a Nigerian, you stand several opportunities to secure Salesforce jobs because many companies online use this Salesforce platform to maximize services.
Why Is a Salesforce Career Lucrative?
Before we talk about how to start a career in the Salesforce world, let’s look at why it’s such a great choice! Here are the top four reasons:
#1. Demand
Salesforce is huge! They own a quarter of the CRM market and keep growing by about 20% every year. With their revenue soaring over $30 billion, there’s a massive need for skilled professionals to handle, upgrade, implement, and make the most of their tech systems.
#2. Money
Tech jobs pay well, and Salesforce is no exception. Since Salesforce systems are vital for businesses, if you can help manage them smoothly, you’ll earn a handsome paycheck. As a Nigerian, you are at a great advantage.
Plus, because there aren’t enough skilled people, companies are willing to pay even more.
#3. Flexible Work
Salesforce loves the cloud, so many jobs in this field can be done remotely. Especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, you can find plenty of remote positions. Even before that, many companies offered a mix of remote and in-office work.
#4. Community
Starting a new career can feel overwhelming, but in the Salesforce ecosystem, you’ll find plenty of support.
Salesforce boasts one of the largest tech communities, packed with both newcomers and seasoned pros who are eager to assist.
Whatever your background, some professionals have been in your shoes and are ready to offer guidance and support along the way.
How To Get a Salesforce Job?
In this part, we’ll guide you step by step to learn the right stuff and get ready for a job in Salesforce.
#1. Know Salesforce
To get into Salesforce jobs, you need to know what Salesforce is and why companies use it.
Some people might get this easily if they’re into tech, but others might need to learn how digital systems help businesses grow and serve customers better.
Understanding the tech side of Salesforce is important, but it’s just as crucial to know how to use its tools to meet business needs.
Every tech solution in Salesforce is there to solve a business problem, so it’s essential to understand how Salesforce does this.
#2. Join the Community
Salesforce has a lively and friendly community that welcomes everyone, no matter your background.
If you’re serious about starting a career in Salesforce, don’t go it alone. Here are some places to connect with others: Salesforce Trailblazer Community, Twitter, and Slack.
Other Groups: Explore platforms like Reddit or Discord, where you can find even more communities dedicated to Salesforce.
#3. Get Certified
Once you understand Salesforce well enough, it’s time to consider getting certified.
Salesforce offers over 35 certifications covering different products and skill levels.
Getting certified is often a requirement for many jobs. Start with the Salesforce Associate Certification, followed by the Salesforce Administrator Certification.
These certifications show potential employers that you have a solid understanding of the platform. While the exams aren’t easy, with dedication and study, they’re achievable.
#4. Gain Experience
While having certifications is great, practical experience is also important for most roles.
Finding opportunities to gain experience can be challenging, but there are ways to get creative: Superbadges, Volunteering, and Real-World Projects
When you’re ready to take on Salesforce jobs in Nigeria, you should look out the online space for job opportunities in Nigeria.
Conclusion
If you’ve managed projects before, you might consider working for a Salesforce Consultancy.
And don’t worry if you’re new to IT – many people have become Salesforce professionals without any previous experience in the field.
A common type of role is within companies that use Salesforce internally.
They might need one Salesforce Administrator in a small company or a whole team of Admins, Analysts, Developers, and Architects in a large company with lots of Salesforce users.