18 answers
Navya
Student
Brentwood, Tennessee
1
Question
Updated
3233 views
Salesforce Admin
I have salesforce Admin Certification, but when trying to apply for entry level/ junior roles, they are asking for 2+ years experience in salesforce
I have 4 years of experience as a quality analyst and mobile survey scripter in market research org.
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18 answers
Kiaya Caraway
1
Answer
Updated
Kiaya’s Answer
APPLY! You have credentials that align to 2 years of experience with your certification and other work experience.
Although you dont have the true 2 years of hands on experience with Salesforce your background and demonstration by getting a certification that you are invested is what employers are looking for when opening an entry level Salesforce position.
Although you dont have the true 2 years of hands on experience with Salesforce your background and demonstration by getting a certification that you are invested is what employers are looking for when opening an entry level Salesforce position.
Stuart Mills
VP Trailhead & Ecosystem
2
Answers
London, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Stuart’s Answer
Keep applying and keep presenting that four years of yours as critical and relevant experience - really think through what you learnt and how you delivered in those four years as I'm sure you have key skills and experience developed for your Salesforce job in there. My blog on experience and how we recommend employers think might help (https://www.salesforce.com/uk/blog/2022/02/is-it-time-to-re-imagine-how-we-define-experience.html). And keep building your hands on experience through projects and superbadges as well as trying volunteering.
Anubhuti Gupta
Consultant
1
Answer
Edison, New Jersey
Updated
Anubhuti’s Answer
I know this is catch 22 situation. I've been through it myself. Your best bet would be to volunteer or do pro bono work. You could also find gig/freelance work using upwork and other such sites.
This you can add to your resume in lieu of experience.
Volunteer using TapRootPlus.org or Catchafire.org
Find small projects on Upwork.com and other freelancing sites
Find Pro bono opportunities in glassdoor, ziprecruiter etc.
This you can add to your resume in lieu of experience.
Anubhuti recommends the following next steps:
Diego Zanetti
Solution Architect
1
Answer
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Updated
Diego’s Answer
Hy Navya. I would apply anyway. As you can see there's some kind of contradiction when companies are looking for a JR position but they expect you to have lot of experience.
You have the admin certification that enables you to say you have enough experience with the product for a JR position if you are committed continuous learning and knowledge improvement.
I hope this opinion will be helpful to you.
Regards,
Diego
You have the admin certification that enables you to say you have enough experience with the product for a JR position if you are committed continuous learning and knowledge improvement.
I hope this opinion will be helpful to you.
Regards,
Diego
Cesar Rojas
Solution Consulting
1
Answer
East Brunswick, New Jersey
Updated
Cesar’s Answer
Hi Navya,
I urge to continue applying and skilling up on your Salesforce skills. You can also look for some volunteer opportunities with non-profits that should provide you with some real life experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Good luck
I urge to continue applying and skilling up on your Salesforce skills. You can also look for some volunteer opportunities with non-profits that should provide you with some real life experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Good luck
Warren Howe
Computer
2
Answers
Dublin, County Dublin
Updated
Warren’s Answer
Hello Navya, I'm here to provide you with some guidance. I truly understand that stepping into a role without prior experience can be a daunting task. However, when it comes to Salesforce, you have several promising avenues to explore.
Salesforce boasts a vast and diverse clientele, ranging from small-scale entities to large multinational corporations. Some of these clients might be open to pro-bono collaborations, presenting you with an opportunity to offer your services free of charge. This will not only allow you to gain practical experience but also help you establish a reputable personal brand within the Salesforce community and earn the trust of existing Salesforce customers. Incorporating this experience into your CV/resume would undeniably give you an edge during interviews.
Additionally, you can immerse yourself in Salesforce communities, where current users often seek assistance with product-related queries. Lending a helping hand in these situations would further enhance your profile and make a positive impression during the interview process.
I trust this guidance will be beneficial in answering your question.
Salesforce boasts a vast and diverse clientele, ranging from small-scale entities to large multinational corporations. Some of these clients might be open to pro-bono collaborations, presenting you with an opportunity to offer your services free of charge. This will not only allow you to gain practical experience but also help you establish a reputable personal brand within the Salesforce community and earn the trust of existing Salesforce customers. Incorporating this experience into your CV/resume would undeniably give you an edge during interviews.
Additionally, you can immerse yourself in Salesforce communities, where current users often seek assistance with product-related queries. Lending a helping hand in these situations would further enhance your profile and make a positive impression during the interview process.
I trust this guidance will be beneficial in answering your question.
Jenison Dominguez
Solutions Engineer
1
Answer
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Jenison’s Answer
Hello Navya,
I would like to suggest that you utilize your existing skills as a quality analyst and your Salesforce Admin Certification to make a significant difference in a non-profit organization that uses Salesforce. They could really benefit from your expertise, even for some of their more basic tasks.
Wishing you all the best!
I would like to suggest that you utilize your existing skills as a quality analyst and your Salesforce Admin Certification to make a significant difference in a non-profit organization that uses Salesforce. They could really benefit from your expertise, even for some of their more basic tasks.
Wishing you all the best!
Mikun Adewole
Technical Architect
10
Answers
Rockville, Maryland
Updated
Mikun’s Answer
Hey Navya,
Congratulations on obtaining your Salesforce admin certification! I know firsthand that this is not an easy feat. Your 4 years of work experience are more valuable than you think. Being a good Salesforce admin requires knowledge of how businesses work and being able to analyze and action data to produce results.
Keep on applying and do not give up! Everybody gets mostly rejections when applying to jobs but the one that is for you will give you a chance and build you up to be the best admin you can be! Good luck with everything.
Congratulations on obtaining your Salesforce admin certification! I know firsthand that this is not an easy feat. Your 4 years of work experience are more valuable than you think. Being a good Salesforce admin requires knowledge of how businesses work and being able to analyze and action data to produce results.
Keep on applying and do not give up! Everybody gets mostly rejections when applying to jobs but the one that is for you will give you a chance and build you up to be the best admin you can be! Good luck with everything.
Sujeet Palwar
Software
1
Answer
Kota, Rajasthan, India
Updated
Sujeet’s Answer
Hi There,
You have got a certification done, that means you have the basic knowledge around Admin Processes.
What you need to do is to understand few things in detail which will help you clear the interviews -
1) How to create users
2) How to create profile
3) What are sharing rules, how to create those
4) Difference between custom and standard objects
5) How to enable/disable Lightning
6) How to set up SSO
7)How to create Connected Apps and its significance
Prepare few more topics around admin configuration and I am sure you can crack interviews. Try to be true to yourself, make sure you really understand what you are doing.
You have got a certification done, that means you have the basic knowledge around Admin Processes.
What you need to do is to understand few things in detail which will help you clear the interviews -
1) How to create users
2) How to create profile
3) What are sharing rules, how to create those
4) Difference between custom and standard objects
5) How to enable/disable Lightning
6) How to set up SSO
7)How to create Connected Apps and its significance
Prepare few more topics around admin configuration and I am sure you can crack interviews. Try to be true to yourself, make sure you really understand what you are doing.
Ricardo Néia
3
Answers
Updated
Ricardo’s Answer
Hi Navya,
This is a standard challenge in entry level positions, you are required experience, but nobody offers experience.
What I’d suggest is to take training sessions online and read/research about the tool. It might not give you hands-on experience, but would give you theoretical experience.
This is a standard challenge in entry level positions, you are required experience, but nobody offers experience.
What I’d suggest is to take training sessions online and read/research about the tool. It might not give you hands-on experience, but would give you theoretical experience.
Aparna Sarnu
40
Answers
Updated
Aparna’s Answer
Hello!
Absolutely, I concur with your perspective. It would be beneficial for you to gain practical experience in using Salesforce org, which is available on the Salesforce website. I recommend that you consider applying for a Business Analyst role or a position that aligns with your current expertise. Once you've entered the Salesforce job market, transitioning from a Business Analyst or QA role to an Admin position or any other desired role will become much easier.
Absolutely, I concur with your perspective. It would be beneficial for you to gain practical experience in using Salesforce org, which is available on the Salesforce website. I recommend that you consider applying for a Business Analyst role or a position that aligns with your current expertise. Once you've entered the Salesforce job market, transitioning from a Business Analyst or QA role to an Admin position or any other desired role will become much easier.
Amy Venuto
Customer Success Manager
1
Answer
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Amy’s Answer
Hi Navya,
I would definitely encourage you to still apply! You've got some great experience to share, as well as a Salesforce certification. Additionally, if you'd like to get in some more practice and understand business applications for some of our products, I'd encourage you to spend some time on Trailhead (link below in the next steps section) and even check out some of our Superbadges - these can be a great way to highlight your skill set as well. I hope this helps!
https://trailhead.salesforce.com
I would definitely encourage you to still apply! You've got some great experience to share, as well as a Salesforce certification. Additionally, if you'd like to get in some more practice and understand business applications for some of our products, I'd encourage you to spend some time on Trailhead (link below in the next steps section) and even check out some of our Superbadges - these can be a great way to highlight your skill set as well. I hope this helps!
Amy recommends the following next steps:
Joseph Foster
Explain technology to customers to help them make an informed purchasing decision.
6
Answers
Granite Bay, California
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
I agree with applying anyway and considering non-profit work to build some experience. Also, prepare yourself to explain why they should hire you without experience. Talk about your work ethic and how quickly you learn, and give concrete examples of accomplishments to illustrate this to the employer. Learn about the companies you are applying to and show enthusiasm about their work and what you can bring. You've already shown a lot of initiative by going getting the certification, so be confident!
Moazzam Khan
Salesforce Consultant
4
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Moazzam’s Answer
I think I see a ton of people going to salesforce admin positions so there is definitely a huge competition there.
I would recommend applying to other related positions such as a business analyst, project manager or something which involves using salesforce day to day. This would build up your resume for you to be qualified as a stronger candidate for a Salesforce Admin and your resume will stick out to recruiters more.
I would recommend applying to other related positions such as a business analyst, project manager or something which involves using salesforce day to day. This would build up your resume for you to be qualified as a stronger candidate for a Salesforce Admin and your resume will stick out to recruiters more.
Bhagya Mahabaleshwar
Solution Architect
3
Answers
San Ramon, California
Updated
Bhagya’s Answer
The certification-without-experience catch-22 is one of the most frustrating hurdles in breaking into Salesforce, but your background actually gives you more leverage than you might think — you just need to reframe how you present it.
Your 4 years aren't irrelevant — they're transferable. Quality analysis and survey scripting map directly to Salesforce skills: data validation, workflow logic, requirements gathering, and understanding how business processes need to be captured accurately. In interviews, connect these dots explicitly. "In my QA role, I ensured data integrity across survey pipelines" is a short step from "as a Salesforce Admin, I'll maintain data quality across CRM records."
Build a portfolio that replaces experience on paper. Ask an AI tool to give you a realistic business scenario (e.g., "a 50-person nonprofit needs to track donors, volunteers, and grant applications in Salesforce"). Then configure a free Developer Org to solve it end to end — custom objects, flows, reports, dashboards, permission sets. Document what you built and why. Do 3–5 of these. Now you have project examples to discuss in interviews, which matters far more than years on a resume.
Target the right employers first. Nonprofits, small businesses, and Salesforce implementation partners are more likely to hire someone cert-qualified with strong adjacent experience than large enterprises with rigid job requirements. Volunteer your Salesforce skills through platforms like Catchafire or Salesforce.org's Pro Bono program — this becomes real, referenceable experience fast.
Keep advancing on Trailhead. Superbadges especially signal hands-on ability. If you can earn a second certification (e.g., Platform App Builder), it signals momentum and commitment.
For interviews, prepare stories around:
"What's the most complex problem you've solved?" (use your QA or scripting work, then bridge to how you'd apply that thinking in Salesforce)
Any time you caught a data or process error before it caused downstream issues — that's a goldmine for Salesforce admin stories
You're closer than the job listings make you feel. Keep applying, keep building, and the right role will connect the dots.
Build a portfolio that replaces experience on paper. Ask an AI tool to give you a realistic business scenario (e.g., "a 50-person nonprofit needs to track donors, volunteers, and grant applications in Salesforce"). Then configure a free Developer Org to solve it end to end — custom objects, flows, reports, dashboards, permission sets. Document what you built and why. Do 3–5 of these. Now you have project examples to discuss in interviews, which matters far more than years on a resume.
Target the right employers first. Nonprofits, small businesses, and Salesforce implementation partners are more likely to hire someone cert-qualified with strong adjacent experience than large enterprises with rigid job requirements. Volunteer your Salesforce skills through platforms like Catchafire or Salesforce.org's Pro Bono program — this becomes real, referenceable experience fast.
Keep advancing on Trailhead. Superbadges especially signal hands-on ability. If you can earn a second certification (e.g., Platform App Builder), it signals momentum and commitment.
Your 4 years aren't irrelevant — they're transferable. Quality analysis and survey scripting map directly to Salesforce skills: data validation, workflow logic, requirements gathering, and understanding how business processes need to be captured accurately. In interviews, connect these dots explicitly. "In my QA role, I ensured data integrity across survey pipelines" is a short step from "as a Salesforce Admin, I'll maintain data quality across CRM records."
Build a portfolio that replaces experience on paper. Ask an AI tool to give you a realistic business scenario (e.g., "a 50-person nonprofit needs to track donors, volunteers, and grant applications in Salesforce"). Then configure a free Developer Org to solve it end to end — custom objects, flows, reports, dashboards, permission sets. Document what you built and why. Do 3–5 of these. Now you have project examples to discuss in interviews, which matters far more than years on a resume.
Target the right employers first. Nonprofits, small businesses, and Salesforce implementation partners are more likely to hire someone cert-qualified with strong adjacent experience than large enterprises with rigid job requirements. Volunteer your Salesforce skills through platforms like Catchafire or Salesforce.org's Pro Bono program — this becomes real, referenceable experience fast.
Keep advancing on Trailhead. Superbadges especially signal hands-on ability. If you can earn a second certification (e.g., Platform App Builder), it signals momentum and commitment.
For interviews, prepare stories around:
"What's the most complex problem you've solved?" (use your QA or scripting work, then bridge to how you'd apply that thinking in Salesforce)
Any time you caught a data or process error before it caused downstream issues — that's a goldmine for Salesforce admin stories
You're closer than the job listings make you feel. Keep applying, keep building, and the right role will connect the dots.
Bhagya recommends the following next steps:
Dan Albrecht
Principal Technical Architect
2
Answers
Rockledge, Florida
Updated
Dan’s Answer
Many others have already responded. APPLY is the right answer. While you may not have the on the job experience as a Salesforce Admin, many companies can still use your skills. You are already proving to be a fast learner by getting your Certification and beyond that what happens once you are part of the team is important. Don't hold back. Go and apply.
Anusha Jillela
IT
7
Answers
Angier, North Carolina
Updated
Anusha’s Answer
Continue to apply for positions while also seeking out volunteer opportunities. Participating in these can help enhance your resume and provide you with the necessary experience.
Best of luck!
Best of luck!
Dennis O'Connell
Consultant
3
Answers
Sandwich, Massachusetts
Updated
Dennis’s Answer
If you have the opportunity, volunteering for a non-profit that uses Salesforce can help build experience. Also, being able to translate relevant experience is good as well.