An interview can be nerve-wracking, especially if you are applying for a Salesforce position.
Yet no matter what role or level you are applying for, every interview will follow similar principles and tactics that can help you secure your future Salesforce career.
It’s only in the last few years that interviews have been conducted in multiple ways other than just face-to-face, and COVID pushed many businesses to take on other forms of interviewing which are still followed today. Many employers will now conduct their interviews over the phone and online via platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
But with proper preparation, you can increase your chances of getting the job. We’ll discuss the best Salesforce interview tips and actions you should take to ace your interview, how we can assist in your preparation, and help you land that dream Salesforce job from the first interview through to accepting your employment offer!
Interview Types
Today employers conduct interviews in more ways than ever before. You may have to participate in multiple stages and through different mediums, so it’s important to know the different ways an interview can be conducted.
Face-to-face: Still largely the most popular way to interview Salesforce candidates. This is a great way for both employer and candidate to understand each other and for the candidate to see the office's location. They’ll usually last for about 45 minutes to an hour and can lead to a second face-to-face interview with a task if required.
Online: Now one of the most popular forms to conduct an interview. As many Salesforce roles are now remote, online interviews allow more candidates to be interviewed across the country. Again, these can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.
Phone: Usually the first form of contact in conducting or booking an interview if successful, but some can be the full interview depending on the location of the Salesforce candidate and/or employer.
How to Prepare
Depending on the type of Salesforce role and level (junior, senior, etc.) that you’re applying for, they all follow a similar way to ensure full preparation and a successful interview. Below we’ve compiled the best practices you can take and how we’ll help you get there:
- We will provide you with in-depth information about the company, but it is up to you to further research the company, its products, and its culture before attending the interview. By doing so, you will be able to better understand the company's values and what they expect from their employees.
- It is imperative to read the job description thoroughly; we will give you a full rundown of the role and advise if we believe the position matches you. Make sure you review the job description to ensure that you understand the requirements and qualifications. Be ready to explain how your skills and experience align with the position.
- Prepare answers to common interview questions and be ready to give examples of how you have demonstrated certain skills in the past. We'll let you know what to expect. Practice answering questions with a friend or family member to improve your communication skills and build confidence. Our consultants can help with this too!
- The night before the interview, make sure you have everything prepared and ready to go. Rushing around in the morning can make you feel more anxious any you may forget something or feel unprepared. We’ll also give you a call to ensure that you’re ready and if you have any last-minute questions.
How to Conduct Yourself
Now you’re prepared and ready to go, the next step is about understanding how to conduct yourself professionally during the interview.
- Look professional – even if you know the business is more relaxed, still go looking presentable. You may not need to go wearing a suit or pencil skirt but research the company to understand its culture and what is appropriate.
- Keep composure – When you’re nervous it’s hard to sit still and you end up messing with your hands or moving in your seat. Employers will pick up on this,
- Take off your coat/jacket – Even in the winter, take off your jacket before you sit down. Keeping it on will give the impression that you’re looking to leave or don’t want to be at the interview.
- Take your time to answer – The thought of fumbling over a question is enough to give anyone anxiety. But employers can understand this and are happy for you to offer the best answer in time rather than rush. Need the question repeated or worded differently? It’s okay to ask.
- Don’t badmouth previous employers – When the interviewers ask about previous employers and why you moved on, and if you had bad experiences, it’s best not to badmouth them during the interview. Instead, discuss how their paths no longer aligned with yours, that you felt ready to progress, etc.
However, if you’re having an interview online or over the phone, you need to ensure that the environment you are in is suitable for the interview itself.
- Select a quiet location – At home is the most preferable especially if you have a home office. But if you are in a different location e.g., on holiday or in the city, plan where you will do the interview such as the hotel room or in a secluded location.
- Bring headphones – If you know that your location may have some background noise, wearing headphones will allow you to be clearer when answering questions.
- Still dress accordingly – For online interviews especially. Make sure you look presentable and not wearing loungewear. Just because you’re sitting behind a screen doesn’t mean you’re safe from looking smart.
- Turn your camera on – Not only does it look unprofessional it’s also rude to keep your camera off and it’ll dampen your chances of going any further.
Ways to Stand Out
Highlight your achievements - During the interview, highlight your achievements and how they benefited your previous employer. This shows that you are a results-oriented person.
Demonstrate your knowledge – For any Salesforce role you need to demonstrate your knowledge of the platform. Go into as much detail as you can about any certifications or Trailheads you’ve completed.
Show enthusiasm - Going into an interview with little enthusiasm or optimism is obvious to the interviewer and will give them the illusion that you’re not that interested in the job at all. Show your excitement for the position and opportunity to join will help you to stand out.
Ask questions - At the end of the interview you’ll be asked if you have any questions. This is a great time to learn more about the company’s values, more able the people, and any ways to progress.
Follow-up
What many interviewees don’t realise is that following up after an interview is completed is a great way to show your appreciation for their time and a great way to keep you in mind. So here are some helpful tips to follow up:
- Send a thank-you email - After the interview, send a thank-you email to the hiring manager, thanking them for the opportunity and reiterating your interest in the position. But if you’re unsure what to say, you can do this through our Salesforce recruiters!
- Ask for a follow-up - If an employer has interviewed multiple people and been busy with the hiring process, they can sometimes neglect to inform you of any updates or feedback on the interview. Send a follow-up email to ask about your progress. This will remind them to be in touch and let you know if there will be any future steps.
- Stay in touch - If you do not get the job, stay in touch with the company. You don’t even have to do this just through email! LinkedIn is a great way to see what’s happening in the business and with the people behind it. You never know when another opportunity may arise.
Conclusion
In short, preparation is key.
Without the proper understanding of the business and the Salesforce position you’re applying for, then you are more likely to set yourself up for failure. With the help of our Salesforce recruiters, we can assist you in your preparation and ensure that you’re on the road to success. But even if you are unsuccessful, we’ll be with you every step of the way and guide you through future interviews.
