Today on the Salesforce Admins Podcast, we talk to Joy Shutters-Helbing, Salesforce MVP, Chicago Admin Co-Leader, and Golden Hoodie recipient.

Join us as we chat about why frontline experience is so important to your Salesforce career and the importance of networking.

You should subscribe for the full episode, but here are a few takeaways from our conversation with Joy Shutters-Helbing.

Getting experience as a Salesforce user

I recently ran into Joy at World Tour Chicago, where I was shocked to discover that we’ve never had her on the pod. One of the most common questions I get asked is how to get started in a Salesforce career, and I think she has some great advice on the subject.

Joy and I both got involved with Salesforce as users, first, before transitioning into an admin career. That meant we already understood how business processes were supposed to work and how Salesforce could help. And that’s what can be the missing step for someone armed with Salesforce credentials but not a lot of real-world experience.

Get frontline experience while you learn Salesforce

Joy’s biggest piece of advice for someone looking to get started in Salesforce is to get experience in an industry you’re passionate about. “Go and answer those phones as a call center rep,” she says, “be that first line of employees that are working with customers that are going to be using Salesforce with a high frequency.”

In the meantime, you should be working through Trailhead and enhancing your skills on the platform. In short, you’ll be able to learn the ins and outs of business processes while you’re building up your Salesforce knowledge. And be on the lookout for opportunities to make suggestions and get involved in how the platform is used in your organization.

Why networking is misunderstood

Joy also has a great perspective on networking and how it’s misunderstood. When she’s looking for a new role, she updates her resume and makes cold applications like everyone else. But she also isn’t afraid to let people know that she’s looking, which creates an invitation for people to send things her way.

The difference here is between asking someone for a favor and allowing them to help you. And people will want to help you if you’re active in the community and have helped them in the past. It’s all about looking for ways to get involved in your local user group and pay it forward.

Be sure to listen to the full episode for more insights from Joy, and more about what it’s like to don the coveted Golden Hoodie.

Podcast swag

• Salesforce Admins on the Trailhead Store

Learn more

• Chicago Area Community Groups: https://trailblazercommunitygroups.com/chicago-il/

• Chicago Admin: https://trailblazercommunitygroups.com/salesforce-admin-group-chicago-united-states/ 

• Chicago Architect: https://trailblazercommunitygroups.com/salesforce-architect-group-chicago-united-states/ 

• Downers Grove Admin: https://trailblazercommunitygroups.com/salesforce-admin-group-downers-grove-united-states/

• Chicago Non-Profit: https://trailblazercommunitygroups.com/salesforce-nonprofit-user-group-chicago-united-states/

• Chicago WIT: https://trailblazercommunitygroups.com/salesforce-women-in-tech-group-chicago-united-states/

• MVP Office Hours: https://bit.ly/MVPOH 

Admin Trailblazers Group

•  https://sfdc.co/admintrailblazers

Social

• Joy: @Joy_SH

• Salesforce Admins: @SalesforceAdmns 

• Mike on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@mikegerholdt/

• Mike on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@salesforce.mike`

• Mike on X: @MikeGerholdt