#18 - How to prepare for a Salesforce interview
This podcast episode offers advice on how to prepare for a Salesforce interview. The hosts emphasize that soft skills and thoughtful preparation are more important than technical Salesforce knowledge. They suggest focusing on three key areas: ● Preparation: ○ Research the company thoroughly. Understand their business model, goals, challenges, and opportunities. This will allow you to connect your potential contributions to their overall success, demonstrating a level of sophistication that many candidates lack. ○ Use the initial contact with HR to gather information. Request a brief phone interview to clarify the company's needs and goals, as well as the specifics of the Salesforce implementation. This shows genuine interest and provides valuable insights for your preparation. ○ Prepare questions for the interviewer. Bringing a printed copy of your resume and a list of questions shows preparedness and allows you to take the initiative, turning the interview into an opportunity to assess the company's suitability for you. ● Tenacity: ○ Prepare anecdotes that demonstrate your initiative and problem-solving skills. Highlight situations where you overcame obstacles, gathered information, and found solutions, even if it went beyond your job description. ○ Anticipate common roadblocks and have solutions ready. Be prepared to discuss how you would handle situations such as lack of information, unavailable resources, uncooperative team members, and budget constraints. This showcases your proactive approach and commitment to success. ○ Emphasize collaboration with your manager. Demonstrate that you would seek guidance and approval from your superiors when taking initiative, addressing potential concerns about overstepping boundaries. ● Maturity: ○ Highlight your emotional intelligence and ability to build relationships. Share examples of how you have navigated challenging interpersonal situations, turning adversaries into allies by understanding their perspectives and finding common ground. ○ Showcase your understanding of human behavior and organizational dynamics. Emphasize your willingness to invest in building relationships, recognizing that people are motivated by more than just job descriptions. This demonstrates maturity and an ability to get things done effectively within an organization. By focusing on these three areas, you can present yourself as a valuable asset who brings more to the table than just technical skills. Your preparedness, tenacity, and maturity will set you apart from other candidates and increase your chances of landing the job.