Bhavana talks about her interesting career moving from the NASA Control Centre to the Salesforce ecosystem. She also discusses what she believes has contributed to her success in Salesforce and offers her top tips to others navigating a career in the ecosystem.

Third Republic (TR): To kick off, could you tell us a bit about your career, how you got into Salesforce and your journey so far?

Bhavana Singh (BS): In 2012, I managed another on-premise CRM system, and version upgrades were a nightmare. I couldn’t believe that Salesforce does three upgrades per year that happen while you sleep. It sounded fictional and magical! I fell in love with the Salesforce platform and decided to make a career change to be doing something, anything, on the platform. That was in 2012 and I am so happy with my decision as this platform has now enabled me to work for myself doing what I absolutely love.

TR: So, before getting into Salesforce you worked in the NASA control centre. What made you decide to go for a career change and leave NASA for a career in the Salesforce ecosystem?

BS: I really enjoyed working on NASA projects. But unfortunately around that time, NASA was facing budget cuts and projects were being cancelled. So, I shifted focus and my next job was working for a financial company. This is where I eventually came across Salesforce and became truly fascinated by the platform. When I left that job, I started my own consulting firm. I am a registered partner now and am very fortunate to be doing what I love for a living.

TR: Not only are you a Salesforce MVP but you were also awarded the Developer Golden Hoodie in 2018. What do you think has helped you when it comes to achieving these accolades?

BS: If you ask any MVP or a golden hoodie recipient, they will all the same thing – they never set out to win any of these awards. Both of these awards are a recognition and a celebration of individuals who have a passion for learning, the love for community and are always paying it forward.

I am honored to be chosen for both awards. When I was awarded the golden hoodie, so many young women reached out to me as I had inspired them to also further their technical career. I am really happy that I can be that role model and am truly grateful for Salesforce for recognizing and celebrating Women in tech.

You can find out more about MVP program here and about the golden hoodie here.

TR: What are your top tips for others navigating a career in the ecosystem?

BS: Learning: Always be learning. I am personally addicted to learning and trailhead. I joined the 100 days of trailhead last year. I would start my day with one hour of trailhead. That really instilled in me the habit of daily learning. I still follow it, even on weekends. It is addictive and fun.

Networking: If you are not part of your local user groups, you are missing out on a huge resource. Join local user groups as well as the virtual ones. There is a big Ohana presence on twitter. Take an active part in that. There is so much to learn out there and there are so many Ohana members who are generous with their time and willing to share their expertise. Network and promote yourself.

Invest in yourself: I make the best effort to go to a few conferences (Dreamforce and Trailheadx) and as many community events as I can every year. I see the cost as an investment in myself. And it hasn’t disappointed me. I always return from these things with new insights and new energy. I have made many lifelong friends that I have made at these events.

Certifications: Certifications are a way of proving to yourself that you have mastered the concepts related to that part of the platform. Employers and clients are also looking for candidates with certifications.

However, don’t just cram learning to take the test. Only take the test when you have spent sufficient time mastering the concepts by doing them. We are so lucky that we are able to get free developer orgs and are able to test anything we want hands-on. Put this resource to use for yourself. I have a developer org that I have maintained since 2014. Every time I learn a new concept, I try to create a working example there so that I can refer back to it in the future.

Have Fun: If you are not having fun at your job, then you won’t be able to give it the energy and passion it deserves. If you don’t like what you do, change it when you can. If you are not able to change it right away, spend time off hours developing skills that will allow you to change it in the future. Having fun is really key to advancing in your career.

If you do these things, your career can’t help but be elevated

TR: As a woman in tech, what are some of the challenges when it comes to starting a career in the Salesforce ecosystem?

BS: I believe the challenges are similar to women starting a career in any technical ecosystem. Our numbers are small and we sometimes don’t see role models that we can look up to. But I believe things are so much better in the Salesforce ecosystem compared to other places I have worked before. I have so much support provided by other women in tech and allies.

Two years ago at Dreamforce, I found out that there are less than 5% of women CTAs in the world. I feel a movement started around that time. There are so many of us now studying to become CTAs. I believe we will see the number go up in the near future. Salesforce does an excellent job of providing support to women in technology and by being an equality and diversity role model.

If you’re a Salesforce professional and would like to join Bhavana Singh, in our Q&A series, please get in touch with us today!

The post Bhavana Singh, Founder at Three Moons Consulting appeared first on W.I.T. Republic.

In this blog, she talks about her career journey and how she got to where she is today. The challenges she faced making the career change and going back to school to learn how to code. And finally offers her advice to those looking to do the same.

“There’s so much help out there, and a lot of people don’t know it,” says Moody. “Go for it…. This is hard, but you can do it.”

Read Lydia’s full interview here: http://careerreadyindiana.com/blog/career/lydia-moody-starting-over-in-a-tech-career/

The post Starting Over in a Tech Career appeared first on W.I.T. Republic.

Meighan talks to us about her journey from Admin to Architect. She also discusses some of the challenges she’s faced as a woman in the ecosystem and the significance of the community when it comes to improving diversity not just in Salesforce but in the world of tech in general.

Salesforce Republic (SR): You’ve had quite an interesting career in Salesforce going from an Admin to an Architect. Could you talk us through how you got into a career in the Salesforce ecosystem?

Meighan Brodkey (MB): It was a crazy situation really. I found a posting as a customer success manager, applied and then it was love at first login. My role as admin was fantastic, however, I decided it was time to get certified. So, I began working with tech companies in Seattle and this is when I started to learn about coding. This is where I really realised my passion and decided that I wanted to become a master of the platform – an Architect. I then went into consulting, which was a whole new challenge. From here, several summits reached out asking me to work with them as a TA. I’m truly grateful that I found Salesforce all those years ago, it has provided me with a career I’m so proud of, as well as a community of people like no other.

SR: As a woman in tech, what are some of the challenges when it comes to starting a career in the Salesforce ecosystem?

MB: We’re definitely a minority. However, I have noticed that there are more women working in Salesforce than other tech roles. It’s definitely more difficult as a woman working in tech and as you become more technical, you notice that there are fewer and fewer women around. You might face some animosity as you progress up the ranks but as long as you know your stuff and are able to back it up, you’ll find success. Proving yourself can be a challenge but I think that comes with any career. As long as you’re confident in yourself and your abilities, others will have confidence in you too.

SR: What advice do you have for other women looking to succeed in the Salesforce space or the world of tech in general?

MB: Try to figure out what it is that you want and keep pushing for it. It’s also really important for us women to work with each other and lift each other up. In my experience, a large amount of push back and animosity comes from other women in the industry. Because there are so few of us it can be a highly competitive environment, but it’s important that we share our experiences and help each other to succeed.

Networking is key, there are so many events now not just for Salesforce professionals but also for Women working in tech. Regardless of whether you’re interacting with the community online or in person, networking will only ever be beneficial to your career – there’s always someone that can help you.

SR: In your opinion, how important is the Salesforce community when it comes to improving diversity in the ecosystem?

MB: It’s so important! I think we can learn so much from the active ecosystem that we work in. It’s such a rare community. There are so many people willing to share their experiences and knowledge both online and in person. You can learn a lot about what you need directly from your peers. In today’s digital world we can reach each other from across the world, finding the answers to your questions has become so much easier. There are some great community groups from more general Salesforce meetups to specific events such as Women in Tech groups etc. There are always opportunities to share your experiences at community events, for example, I’m a regular speaker at the Seattle Women in Tech meetup.

SR: How do you think businesses and communities can work on improving the numbers of women working in the tech space?

MB: Again, it’s all about working together. I think it’s really important for businesses to work with the next generation of talent. High schools’ students and graduates need to be aware of the career opportunities that Salesforce (and the tech industry in general) offer. It’s a career that can be really tough to break into, especially for women. However, businesses are starting to make waves in terms of equality. I’ve definitely noticed a much more open line of communication when it comes to these issues. Saying that, there’s still some way to go. Community events can be a big help and seeing more and more businesses get involved in these is great.

SR: What are your top tips for others looking to take their career from Salesforce Admin to Technical Architect?

MB: These are my top pieces of advice when taking the journey from Admin to Architect:

1. Experience – this has to be my number one tip. I think it’s important for anyone, in any role to gain experience. Be open-minded and try to get a broad range of experiences in different businesses.
   
2. Talk to your peers. The Salesforce community is abundant with people willing to share their insights and experiences, so take the opportunity to learn from your peers.
   
3. Join your local user group and attend community events. There are 100s of events, meetups and conferences for Salesforce professionals all over the world. These are great places to network and learn more about the ever-evolving ecosystem that we’re working in.
   
4. Never be afraid to ask questions. This one is important. You may think that you know everything there is to know about your specialism, but I can assure you there is always something to learn. Salesforce is always changing. So, whether you’re just starting out or are a veteran of the platform, never be afraid to speak up and ask questions.

SR: In your experience, what are some of the key traits that you need in order to succeed as a Technical Architect?

MB: Be resourceful. There are always situations that will arise that might limit your abilities, whether it’s budget or technology, so being creative in your problem-solving skills is essential. Leadership and communication skills are essential. You have to make sure your team will follow you and that you have the skills to guide them to success. Teamwork is also something that will be essential to your success. You need to be able to listen to your team and work together in order to solve problems. Being knowledgeable. The CTA isn’t an easy qualification to be awarded. You need to have a desire to learn. The more knowledge you have the more successful you’ll be. Never stop learning.

SR: Do you think that Salesforce certifications are essential when it comes to success in Salesforce?

MB: Yes, due to the fact that companies do look at them. However, what I would say is don’t take certifications before you have the knowledge. In my opinion, they’re something look at getting once you’ve done some implementations and got some experience. Experience is so important when it comes to getting certified. Although I definitely do see the value in getting certified and would say it’s essential, if I had to choose between certifications or hands-on experience, I see the experience as more valuable.

SR: In your opinion, how does being involved in Salesforce community groups benefit careers?

MB: In a number of different ways. When you’re starting out (or at any stage in your career really) it helps massively with learning and increasing knowledge. Attending various events will ensure that you’re networking with and meeting new people in your area. You never know who you could meet at an event, it could be your next employer. Getting your name out there will undoubtedly benefit your career. In my opinion, it’s extremely important to participate where you can and give back to the community.

SR: Finally, what’s the best piece of advice that you have received throughout your career in Salesforce?

MB: Follow your passion. But be open-minded, trying things out is super important. Working in different industries, for different companies, on different projects, will provide you with a range of invaluable knowledge. If you’re passionate about something don’t let anyone or anything deter you. Secondly, I would say, make sure you connect with the community. Use the large ecosystem that is at your fingertips. The way I learned about Apex and Visualforce was because of the community. Without becoming involved in the community, I never would have learned a lot of what I know. Don’t just take, help out where you can too, your peers will be really grateful for any help you can give, and it helps keep the circle growing.

If you’re a certified Salesforce professional like Salesforce MVP, Meighan Brodkey, and would like to be involved in our Q&A series, please get in touch with us today!

The post Salesforce MVP, Meighan Brodkey appeared first on W.I.T. Republic.

But what does that mean for those professionals working in the industry?

Of course, it means there are a lot more opportunities, but it also means there’s a lot more noise. With hundreds of jobs being advertised, by numerous businesses and agencies, almost every day. The industry is becoming inundated.

So, how can you cut through the noise and find a job that will benefit your career, whilst capitalising on the industry boom? Well, we think that the answer lies in using a specialist tech recruiter.

Here are our top five reasons why choosing to work with a specialist tech recruiter can help elevate your job search, and your career.

1. Expertise

This one should be pretty obvious, but it’s not spoken about enough. Just as tech professionals spend their career becoming experts in the industry, so do specialist tech recruiters. They simply have to if they want to succeed in helping plug the skills gap in this ever-evolving industry.

As Gemma Blezard, Founder of The Architech Club put it in her Salesforce Q&A with us “Recruiters need to have the same level of commitment to the ecosystem as everyone else. The reason they’re consultants is that they match the solution to the problem. How can they do this if they don’t understand the problem?”.

Specialist recruiters are those that have fully immersed themselves in specific digital technology; they understand the nuances of what a business needs, what you do, and how you might fit into a role. Compare this to a recruiter who doesn’t have this understanding, and it’s plain to see why a specialist consultant is much more capable of matching you with that perfect role.  

2. Personalised search 

This goes hand-in-hand with the above. Having increased expertise in an industry, increases the likelihood of a recruiter being able to present you with a range of job options. All of which will be relevant to your skills, experience and requirements.

Forget being sent Developer roles when you’re in fact an Architect or being offered permanent roles when you’re a contractor. It might sound ridiculous, but with the speed at which the tech industry is evolving, situations like this aren’t unheard of.

The fact is, without expert tech knowledge, recruiters simply can’t match your needs. Specialist consultants understand the nuances of what you do. Therefore, you’re much more likely to find that you are offered relevant roles that are of genuine interest, and that will advance your career.

3. Speed

Specialist tech recruiters understand the speed at which this industry moves. They work to the fast pace of the industry. Knowing they can’t afford to be lax with how they handle their processes.

As a result of this industry understanding, a specialist recruiter will push businesses for feedback, interviews, and for commitment. Fundamentally, your process with an industry expert will be more seamless than if you work with a recruiter with no real appreciation for businesses needs.

4. Communication

There is nothing more frustrating than being approached about a role, expressing interest, and then hearing nothing further. It’s commonplace in the entire talent acquisition industry and probably one of the key irritants for any candidate. The good news? Specialist tech recruiters are working with a much smaller talent pool than generalist recruiters.

As a result of the digital skills gap, and the rising demand for tech professionals, specialist recruiters are placing more emphasis on their candidates simply because they appreciate that they are a scarce resource.

You can guarantee that you’ll be top of their list to get back in touch with as soon as there is any news. Anyone working in the tech industry knows they’re a hot commodity. So, choosing to work with people who appreciate that and pay you that extra bit of attention during your job search, is only going to benefit you.

5. Increased reach

Specialised tech recruiters are rare. As a result, they are known in their industry. Businesses frequently come to them with their hottest jobs, and they have access to clients and companies who might not even be advertising their roles themselves. Choosing to work with a specialist recruiter means you also gain access to these unique opportunities.

You’ll directly benefit from a consultants’ increased reach in the industry. They will be working on jobs they want you to fill. So, you’ll be hearing about these opportunities as soon as they hit the market.

If you want access to the best tech jobs, then a specialised recruiter is the way to go.

Whether you’re looking for a new role, or would just like to keep an eye on the market, getting in touch with a specialist recruiter can provide many career benefits.

If you’d like to find out the benefits of using a specialist recruiter, get in touch today to harness their years of experience in the tech industry and boost your job search!

The post Benefits of Using a Specialist Tech Recruiter appeared first on W.I.T. Republic.

Melissa talks to us about the benefits and challenges of starting a new player in the Salesforce market. She discusses the importance of soft skills, such as communication and business aptitude and reveals her views on certifications.

Salesforce Republic (SR): To kick-off, could you tell us a bit about your background and how you got to where you are today?

Melissa Shepard (MS): My background is in software development. I have a Bachelor’s in Computer Science & Mathematics. When I graduated from college, I became a Java software engineer and later a .NET developer. When the tech bubble burst, I decided to pursue my MBA in information systems. This helped to differentiate me from a typical software engineer. I was then introduced to business systems such as ERP’s, CRM’s and system integration.

While I was working on my MBA, I was hired to help build the IT department of a company. I was responsible for customizing the ERP system using .NET, and also I was given the responsibility of customizing Salesforce without any code since it didn’t really exist yet. I recognized the need to integrate our systems and was given the opportunity to write our integration middleware using .NET & SQL server. This is when I realized that I enjoyed working with business users and automating business processes overwriting software for external use.

SR: Could you explain a little more about what it is that LizzardTech Consulting does and how you differ from other Salesforce consultancies?

MS: We focus on Salesforce architecture and development, involving architectural oversight in all phases of the project. Since I started my career in Salesforce doing architecture and development, I have found that architecture plays such an integral role in the success of projects. It also leads to higher-quality development.

I built my company using a team-based approach, as opposed to the individual contributor model. This is because I believe in synergy and collaboration. All teams always have at least one senior-level/architect level person overseeing all work even if it is just part-time. We aren’t just typical consultants, we’re passionate about what we do. My team is constantly learning and delivering high-quality projects with a high success rate. We also champion Women in Tech and female architects and are involved in many things that relate to these subjects.

SR: What are some of the benefits and challenges of starting a new player in the Salesforce market?

MS: Salesforce is such a huge ecosystem with endless possibilities and opportunities. From being a service and consulting company to developing apps for the AppExchange. There are so many global events such as Salesforce World Tours, TrailheadDX, Dreamforce, as well as all of the community-led events. And let’s not forget all the user group meetings. I myself am the group leader of Manchester NH Women in Tech and regularly speak at other user groups. I love to travel around to events, it gives me the chance to network for my business and spend time with friends across the ecosystem. Salesforce is in high demand right now so there’s a huge market and room for many players.

One of the most challenging aspects is the number of partners that have entered the ecosystem. Gaining the attention of AE’s takes a lot of work and relationship building, not to mention a lot of time. I came into this bootstrapping not taking any funding from any outside sources, which has been a huge challenge.

If I could do it over again I would ensure my personal expenses are minimal so I don’t have to worry about paying my own bills while building a business. It was definitely a challenge with two children in college when I started building up my company. That’s where I’m at for this year, so I can spend more time working on my company as opposed to working for my company. This is the advice that I’ve received from many mentors. You really need to have the time to build and nurture relationships in order to consistently bring in project work and gain new clients.

SR: What advice do you have to those looking to start their Salesforce career journey?

MS: Get as much hands-on experience as you can even if it is an internship type of role or isn’t the highest paying job out there. Certifications are not everything, but they certainly help. This is something that I have done with people and I’ve trained them to bring them along to learn along with myself and other senior people within the company. I am all about constant education, learning and getting certifications. Saying that experience is a huge must as well and something I am willing to work with people to get.

Be open to all possibilities and opportunities and figure out what it is you really like to do along the way. Some people choose the admin path, some choose the developer path, some choose a hybrid, some aspire to be a solution or technical architect. Also, find a cloud or two and features that you really love to work with and become an SME in that area because you never know, you might be speaking about it at Dreamforce one day!

SR: In your opinion, what are some of the key traits that you need in order to succeed in the world of Salesforce?

MS: I think it’s important to have some level of business aptitude, good communication skills, technical ability and willingness to collaborate. Development in the Salesforce world often takes interaction with stakeholders and isn’t just some job that you do in isolation. It is a different kind of development and is much more interactive than sitting and writing code all day. Being a team player and caring about what you produce for the client is very important. Being adaptive and staying on top of the latest features and having a willingness to learn will get you far.

SR: As a 23x Salesforce certified professional, what is your view on certifications when it comes to pursuing a career in Salesforce?

MS: As a 23x certified Salesforce professional, I’m all about certifications as it will help you understand things that you might not get through experience (however, a combination of both is necessary). Hands-on experience will help solidify what you learn through gaining the certifications. It’s a base of knowledge you can build on in order to attain higher levels of expertise. But certifications are not the be-and-end-all – they’re stepping stones on the journey. I only got my first certification in May of 2016. I relied upon my many years in Salesforce until I decided to start building my company. Having a certified professional was a requirement for becoming a Salesforce partner, so I started learning.

I kept going along with my Platform Developer certification, and two years later my Salesforce partnership became in jeopardy. I needed a second consultant certification. In order to get one of the other certifications for me to keep my partnership, I had to go get the admin certification first. A week later, I got my Sales Cloud certification to keep my partnership. After this, I decided to keep going and help us get enough points to become a silver partner. I completed one certification after another, getting my Application and System Architect along the way. We did end up becoming a silver partner in 2018.

SR: How important would you say the Salesforce community is when it comes to career advancement?

MS: It is SO important for career growth and also it is SO much fun! Get involved in the community through your local user group or at community-led events. This is something I didn’t do until very recently and wished I had discovered the community earlier on. I started reaching out once I began preparing for the CTA review board (which is still in-process) and I’ve met some amazing people who’ve become close friends.

There are so many wonderful people who will become life-long friends who you’ll meet at different events around the globe. People are also more than willing to help each other out in so many ways and support each other. I love going to events and catching up with all of my Salesforce colleagues. It’s one of my favorite things about being in this industry and something I was missing out on for years! Get on Twitter and find us all on there. It’s how we all stay in touch when we are not hanging out at events!

SR: What are some of the biggest changes you have seen throughout your time working in the Salesforce ecosystem?

MS: When I started working with Salesforce it was very limited and the whole force.com platform didn’t really exist. I was doing integration with the SOAP API and some customizations could be done with s-controls. Also, Salesforce wasn’t so widely used for a while. I’ve seen it grow exponentially in the past 10 years and the growth of the platform and capabilities is almost mind-boggling. Salesforce is always delivering new features and functionality or adding on by acquiring other companies. It’s constant learning and training for me to understand how we can help our clients leverage Salesforce technology as best as possible.

SR: One of the biggest challenges right now in Salesforce is sourcing and engaging the right talent. How do you tackle this at LizzardTech?

MS: I find people through networking, reaching out to recruiters who I have developed personal relationships with throughout my career, and engaging people that I can trust. I meet a lot of people by going to events and working on projects myself so I always keep in touch with people that I might want to bring on down the road. There are also certain things I look for when determining if someone would fit well within our team.

SR: Finally, what are your suggestions for other businesses trying to close the skills gap?

MS: Find creative ways to find and also keep talent. I know a lot of companies have trouble keeping talent once they become skilled and trained due to other companies offering more attractive compensation and opportunities. Develop a culture where your employees come first, support education and training, support people going to events, support certification. Create a place where people feel valued, can be in charge of their own careers and where people can really be happy and won’t want to leave.

If you’re a certified Salesforce professional and would like to be involved in our Q&A series, please get in touch with us today!

The post Melissa Shepard, President & CEO @ LizzardTech appeared first on W.I.T. Republic.