A Comprehensive Guide for Salesforce Certification Preparation

Why Salesforce Certification?

Picture A is an organization without CRM whereas Picture B is an organization with CRM! And the cherry on the top would be the world’s Best CRM-Salesforce. But the question is WHAT MAKES Salesforce one of the most popular and the largest cloud platform providers in the whole wide world? Let us have a look at these numbers, that will surely do justice.

• Salesforce commands about 20% of the CRM market share. (Source: Gartner, CRM Market Share Analysis)

“Salesforce lets my company be ahead of the game every time. There is always a new solution that helps us to go one step further, always in a simple manner.” – Edilson A., IT Coordinator, L’Oréal Brazil

Well, that being said, one can make a mind to choose to go for Salesforce certifications. However, there are yet more fascinating facts that will make you enrol for Salesforce certification now. Let us have a look:

• Owing to the rise of demand for Salesforce.com, there is a rise in the need for professionals as well. 
• With a Salesforce Certification, you can empower yourself and it gives a boost to your career as well.
• It adds value to your marketability in the IT job market and makes you more competent
• With Salesforce Certification you open the doors to apply for high-paying jobs with or without a degree. 
• Organizations that hire Salesforce certificate holders, usually have error-free deployments.
• With passing time, Increasingly, employers or customers expect that their team has some level of certification in Salesforce

Since you have made up your mind to go for a salesforce certification course. Let us quickly have a look at the details covered in this blog:

How many different types of Salesforce Certifications are there and a brief on them?

Based on the job profile, there are a total of five areas wherein you can get a different certification. And these are:

A . Salesforce Administrator

Salesforce Administrators are associated with the stakeholders to help them with defining the requirements and accordingly customizing the platform such that they get the best from the Salesforce Platform

Certification Under Administrator Profile:

1. Salesforce Administrator Certification  
2. Salesforce Advanced Administrator Certification
3. Salesforce CPQ Specialist 
4. Salesforce Marketing Cloud Administrator
5. Salesforce Platform App Builder

B. Salesforce Developer

Salesforce developers use their programmatic as well as declarative skills in order to customize and encompass applications on the Lightning platform.

Certification under Developer profile:

1. Salesforce B2C Commerce Developer
2. Certified JavaScript Developer I 
3. Certified Marketing Cloud Developers
4. Salesforce Platform App Builder
5. Certified Platform Developer I
6. Salesforce Platform Developer II (PDII)

C. Salesforce Consultant

Salesforce Consultants help stakeholders with their requirements in the form of customizing the Salesforce platform to let them meet the business requirements. 

Certification under Consultant profile:

1. Salesforce Community Cloud Consultant
2. Salesforce Education Cloud Consultant
3. Salesforce Einstein Analytics and Discovery Consultant
4. Salesforce Field Service Lightning Consultant
5. Salesforce Marketing Cloud Consultant
6. Salesforce Non-profit Cloud Consultant
7. Salesforce Pardot Consultant
8. Salesforce Sales Cloud Consultant
9. Salesforce Service Cloud Consultant

D. Salesforce Business Analyst

The certification in Business Analyst Role, include -

• Salesforce Administrator Business Analyst
• Salesforce App Builder Business Analyst
• Salesforce Sales Cloud Business Analyst
• Salesforce Service Cloud Business Analyst
• Salesforce Community Cloud Business Analyst etc. 

E. Salesforce Marketer

Salesforce Marketer creates targeted marketing campaigns which in turn help to connect with the customers and deliver an effective 1:1 customer journey.

Certification under Consultant profile:

1. Salesforce Marketing Cloud Administrator 
2. Salesforce Marketing Cloud Consultant
3. Certified Marketing Cloud Developers
4. Salesforce Marketing Cloud Email Specialist
5. Salesforce Pardot Consultant 
6. Salesforce Pardot Specialist

F. Salesforce Architect:

 Salesforce Architects are very senior-level job profiles; they are simply big-picture thinkers and in-depth problem solvers. They create solutions such that the system stays sturdy even at the critical points. They are again classified into solution Architect and Technical Architect based on the roles they play.

Certification Under Consultant Profile:

1. Salesforce Application Architect
2. Salesforce B2C Solution Architect
3. Salesforce B2C Commerce Architect
4. Heroku Architecture Designer
5. System Architects
6. Salesforce Technical Architect

Let us quickly talk about certain most important certification in each of these profiles briefly:

1. Salesforce Administrator Certification: The Salesforce Administrator Certification gives you expertise with Salesforce and with this you can make sure to help the companies with letting them use the additional features as well as capabilities of the Salesforce platform. 
2. Salesforce Advanced Administrator Certification: The Salesforce Advanced Administrator Certification makes you have an excellent understanding to utilize the high-end features as well as functionality to solve a number of problems. 
3. Salesforce App Builder Certification: With Salesforce Platform App Builder certification, you have better demonstrate skills and knowledge in designing, building, and implementing custom applications with the help of declarative customization capabilities of the Salesforce Platform.
4. Salesforce Platform Developer 1 Certification: Certified Platform Developer I developers can develop and deploy custom business logic and custom interfaces with the help of programmatic on the Lightning Platform of the Salesforce. They have an understanding of when to use the declarative programming methods and when to use the Apex or Visual force.
5. Salesforce Platform Developer 2 Certification: With the Salesforce Platform Developer II (PDII) certification, professionals have a deeper understanding of to design and program on Salesforce Platform at an advanced level. They can also do data modeling and develop complex interfaces and logic for a business. 
6. Salesforce Sales Cloud Consultant Certification: The Salesforce Sales Cloud Consultant certifications are also much in demand as their role includes implementation of Sales cloud solution in a customer-facing role. This in turn leads to long-term relationships with the customers and profits for the business.          
7. Salesforce Service Cloud Consultant Certification: With Salesforce Service Cloud Consultant Certification the job roles one has needed them to implement solutions for Service Cloud again in a customer-facing role. They also contribute to long-term customer success.

Here are some important details which can be very helpful for you when you choose Salesforce Certification Path as Administrator be it for the beginner or advanced level and also as Platform Application Builder:

G. Which Salesforce Certification to Choose as a Beginner or as an Advance level Candidate?

Salesforce Certification for Beginners

As a Beginners, Certifications as Administrators are the best one to go with, as there you have almost no pre-requisite. And the learning curve starts from scratch to a level wherein you can be a very useful resource for the organizations. You can go with any kind of Administrator role, depending on the job profile you like. There are many such certifications listed above such as Salesforce Administrator Certification, and Salesforce Marketing Cloud Administrator. These can be chosen as the salesforce certification for beginners

Salesforce Certification for Advanced-level Professionals 

When you have expertise in working as an Administrator, you can add on to your knowledge and go for Developer Certification as well as senior-level certification-Salesforces Architects. Advanced level certification needs you to have a very good understanding of the Salesforce work environment, good hands-on expertise as well as develop skills in programming languages such as Apex. You can go for Salesforce Advanced Administrator Certification, Salesforce Platform App Builder, Certified Platform Developer I, Salesforce Platform Developer II (PDII), Salesforce Community Cloud Consultant, Salesforce Business Analyst, Salesforce Marketing Cloud Consultant, Salesforce Application Architect, etc. 

H. Where to apply for Salesforce Certification?

Candidates are advised to schedule the exam at least one week before, however even if it is 24-72 hours in advance, the center can manage the same. 

Online Proctored

You can also opt for a webcam monitored online exam which can be given from your own place. Also, candidates are advised to go through the guidelines, before attempting the Certification Exam. 

You will receive a confirmation email for the same, and you are good to go.

What are the benefits of choosing Salesforce Certification Path?

1. Stay one step ahead of others 
2. Helpful in professional growth
3. Might be useful when you wish to switch jobs or job profiles
4. 4.2M jobs will be created in the Salesforce ecosystem by 2024-Hence offers you more and better opportunities when you have the certification.
5. 3rd most in-demand technology skill in 2018
6. 500k New jobs this year in the IT industry added by Salesforce.com
7. 2.7x faster job growth- Job growth is increased by many folds
8.  On average, jobs with Salesforce skills pay around $80,000 per year.  

Source: IDC White Paper Sponsored by Salesforce, “The Salesforce Economic Impact: 4.2 Million New Jobs, $1.2 Trillion of New Business Revenues from 2019 to 2024,” October 2019

Source: Burning Glass Report, “Skilling Up for the Future: The Growing Demand for Salesforce Talent”, March 2020

Why do companies generally hire such Salesforce Certified professionals?

1. In the technology-driven world which we live in, it is important for organizations to hire certified candidates not just to stay one step ahead of their competitors but also to make sure that certified, experienced, and scalable resources add value to the organizations. 
2. To distinguish between the popular versus the most suitable product for the organization, required the right professional. Salesforce.com being a diverse domain provides solutions that are helpful for various industries, however, it becomes important for an organization to have the right professional who can identify what is suitable for their business requirements.  
3. Organizations need Salesforce certified professionals to stay ahead in the cut-throat competition, innovate productive methods in order to streamline operations, maximize sales, profit, and remain profitable at all times.  
4. Salesforce Certification enables professionals to have a holistic vision for the prospects as well as the customers, hence companies look for such resources that can add value to their business. 
5. Companies not only require certified professionals to help them make progress but also to keep a proper record of the progress made. Salesforce certified professionals are better trained to keep a tap of such numbers which in turn provides a better insight of growth and progress.   

I. Important Tips to Prepare for Salesforce Certification

1. Do your research regarding the exam and certification: Broad knowledge of all the prerequisites for specific Certification is important apart from that fact, that you need to do research on the topics related to that certification. You can collect the data from credible sources.  
2. Start with online training or Salesforce certification courses: explore the online courses for certification, and try to complete the courses in order to be sound with the basics as well as advanced level topics. You are advised to go for courses with a live trainer, thoughtfully designed course content, etc.
3. Appear for regular quizzes and practice mock tests to stay up-to-date with your progress as well as with the latest trends in technology. 
4. Try to get hands-on only post gauging through the best documents or whitepapers for any specific certification. You can collect them from credible sources or even from Salesforce.com in order to have a clear and better understanding. 
5. Try to choose the certification matching your skill-set and expertise. Owing to a large number of certifications available out there in Salesforce, you are advised to choose the one which is most suitable for you. 
6. Schedule your certification well on-time. Well, this does not mean that you schedule it even before you are prepared for it. Of course, you can reappear for it, if you are not able to clear it in one go, but then again you will have to pay some fees for it. And it is always better to stay prepared and schedule your certification at the right time. 
7. In order to stay up to date with the latest updates on technology and be a part of certain fruitful discussions that lead to better learning, you might join online communities or forums. 
8. Do not forget to take self-study modules. Nevertheless, it is advisable to go with a course that has a live instructor, but it is good to gather self-study modules as they help in revisions. They are the best reference study material when required. 
9. Stay calm and do not understand your caliber. There are many professionals out there who have this certification, having a sound understanding of your subjects is sufficient to get flying colors in this certification. All you need is to stay confident and never underestimate your caliber. 
10. Prepare some handy revision material from Day one of your preparation. This helps you beat the last minute stress before your certification. Additionally, it boosts your confidence and helps you revise your fundamentals in a much shorter span of time. 

J. Who all are Eligible for Salesforce Certification?

According to Salesforce.com, there are certain sets of requirements in order to appear for Salesforce Certification. The minimum educational degree which is required is BBA, BCA, MCA or MBA. Along with this, the candidate also needs to have a good understanding of the basic concepts and functionalities in the Salesforce platforms.

Final words

Salesforce skills are the topmost priorities of most organizations these days, making it important to go for Salesforce Certification. You choose the certification, based on whether you are an advance or beginner-level professional. You are required to have a clear picture regarding the fees of Salesforce certification, duration of Salesforce Certification course, the syllabus covered in the certification evaluation, and many more. You can also choose any reliable platform for the Salesforce Certification course and pursue the same, to stay more confident for qualifying the certification in one go. It is advisable to have a look at the job descriptions, skill-set required to post any specific certification.

FAQs

Which Salesforce certification is the best?

This solely depends on factors such as, expertise in the industry, the reason for certification, and the role which is suitable for you. Salesforce Certification for beginners generally are into Administrator roles, whereas if you have experience as an Administrator, and you know to code or wish to learn, you can go for various other certification in developer roles. Additionally, if you are a senior developer with Salesforce expertise you are advised to go for Architect Certification. Whichever is suitable for you is the best Salesforce Certification for you!

Is Salesforce admin certification easy?

Salesforce Admin Certification is for beginners and hence it will not be inappropriate to say that it is easy to learn provided you have the right direction. You need to know about the Salesforce Certification courses, Salesforce Certification dumps, salesforce certification classes, such that they assist you in your preparation journey making it smoother for you.        

How much does Salesforce certification cost?

The cost for Salesforce Certification depends on the Salesforce Certification Types. They range from 100-200 $ plus applicable tax as per the laws and certain certifications such as for Architect level might cost you close to 6000$ plus applicable tax as per the laws of respective areas. 

How do I become Salesforce certified?

In order to get Salesforce certification, you need to have a look at the modules or syllabus or you can even opt for 1 salesforce certification course, 2 salesforce certification study guides, 3 salesforce certification classes, etc. Post that, you need to schedule the certification whichever is suitable for you. You can appear for the exam online as well as offline, as preferred by you. Once you score equal to or more than passing marks for that certification, you will get your certification.              

Is a Salesforce certification worth it?

Owing to the endless benefits offered by the Salesforce platform to its customers, more businesses are moving their CRM to Salesforce and hence it increases the need for professionals to assist them with the same. This clearly highlights the salesforce certification value and we can say that is salesforce certification worth it.        

Can I retake the Salesforce certification, if yes then what is the cost for the same?

You can retake the exam after a stipulated period. Salesforce certification exam cost when you retake it varies from 100-3000$ plus applicable tax as per the laws depending on the salesforce certification types. You are advised to go through the salesforce certification syllabus.     

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