In recent years, cloud computing has seen a massive surge.
No longer do clients buy the software outright and use it. The current model is to lease its use, otherwise known as SaaS.
One of the biggest SaaS enterprises is the California-based Salesforce, which provides CRM software globally.
In fact, in 2022, Salesforce became the world’s largest enterprise software firm valued at $145 billion.
To get the most out of Salesforce, you need to hire a Salesforce developer.
Why is that important? Doesn’t it work by itself? Absolutely it does. So does Excel.
But you can’t create a macro from Excel or use VBA programming for Project Management unless you employ an Excel programmer.
The same applies here.
How to hire the best Salesforce developer? We will tell you everything about hiring a Salesforce Developer and what it entails. Let’s begin.
What is a Salesforce Developer?
The simple answer is anyone who can program using Salesforce and customize it for use by your enterprise.
In a way, it is like being a WordPress developer or a Shopify developer.
More than 100,000 companies use Salesforce and being a full-time Salesforce developer is now a valued profession.
Background of a Salesforce Developer
It helps if they have a college degree, but by no means is it mandatory.
What they do need is a lot of experience in Objective Oriented Programming, such as
- C#
- Java
- Ruby
- Python
- TypeScript
- PHP
Of these, Java is the most important because Apex, the language used for Salesforce development, has a quite similar syntax.
It is quite impossible to expect a developer to know six languages, but they should have a working familiarity with at least a couple on this list, Java and Ruby being the ideal mix.
They must have a Salesforce Developer Certification from Salesforce.
- Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I
- Salesforce Certified Platform Developer II
If the developer is being appointed for a senior position, they must also hold a Salesforce Architect certification.
Role of a Salesforce Developer
Salesforce is a vast platform that can provide customer information from chats, calls, and online interaction, and unites marketing, sales, service, and IT around a uniform customer-centric view. Salesforce is also used for marketing, email management, and a host of other tasks.
Most Salesforce developers begin with learning any one aspect of the platform. This enables them to understand the ecosystem and allows them to be proficient administrators.
From this base camp, they become a developer and need the following skills:
- Knowledge of data modeling and security
- Salesforce app customization
- Apex Programming
- Lightning framework
- Developer console
Besides, they need to have the following qualities:
- The ability to code fluently in Apex and all Salesforce-related languages.
- The ability to create code that is error-free and works seamlessly.
- The ability to understand the requirements of a project.
Have the core competency to further utilize Salesforce for the enterprise.
Interview Questions for Salesforce Developers
Certification certainly provides you with the certainty that the applicant has proficiency. But at an interview, you need to ask questions and verify for yourself.
Where Can Apex Be Used?
Apex can be used for:
- Creating email services
- Creating web services
- Build custom transaction logic
- Achieve complex validation over multiple objects
What is Batch Apex?
Batch Apex is designed to split numerous records into smaller batches so that they can be better understood and evaluated.
What is Your Preferred IDE?
I use the best and that is Visual Studio. Besides, I also know how to use Eclipse for Force.com—a Salesforce development platform.
How to Hire a Salesforce Developer for Your Company
If you have never hired a Salesforce developer before, the process can be time-consuming. Follow these steps to cut down on the time invested and find yourself the best Salesforce developer.
Share Your Development Needs
Before you consider hiring a top Salesforce developer, you have to spell out the requirements of the applicant.
When you modify the Salesforce platform, the changes can vary in magnitude. Depending on that, look for the type of certification (Level 1, II, or Architect) you need.
It is unprofitable to host someone who is capable of advanced tasks when your personal needs are simple. The reverse is equally true.
Select the Category of Application
What exactly are you looking for with Salesforce development? Is it building apps or creating a marketplace?
The candidate for your job depends on the software you wish to develop. Every Salesforce use case is a unique scenario. Perhaps you should use a Salesforce consultant to set down the parameters and then look for an applicant.
Experience in Business Verticals
Salesforce affects a lot of different departments, from marketing to accounting. The role of a Salesforce developer is to develop applications that work across verticals smoothly.
For this reason, they need at least some exposure to various functions of a business before they can begin development in earnest.
This requirement of CRM-based software sets it apart from other coding jobs. Ideally, a candidate should have a basic idea of the various functions of different arms of a business. Practically though, it proves difficult to locate such talent in freshers.
Places to Hire Salesforce Developer
You can’t find fresh recruits in colleges and universities. Fresh CS graduates are still oriented towards pure coding and less on matters related to CRM and other IT products.
Where to find Salesforce Developers?
An ideal source for finding talented IT professionals and coders who have a good idea of Salesforce and perhaps other similar technology, such as Oracle and SAP.
Simply set your hiring criteria and set up alerts. They can directly apply through LinkedIn or you can redirect them through Zoho Recruits or similar tools.
Referrals
Why not begin in-house? Ask your employees to refer friends with the required qualifications. Word of mouth still remains one of the finest ways to get something in the era of instant communication.
There is a good chance you could end up with a genuinely good candidate through referral.
Job Sites
Go for Indeed and Monster. You will find there are hundreds of job seekers looking for the right opportunity in Salesforce development.
Sign up and state that you are a recruiter (and not a job seeker). Fill out a couple of forms and the rest is more or less automated.
The downside is you will receive hundreds of applications and have to narrow them down. That would take up several days.
Freelancer Sites
Maybe your project does not need a lot of time. It might be over in three to six months.
In that case, hiring a freelancer makes better sense. Upwork and Toptal are the obvious choices.
You could even try Uplers which assists you to recruit from abroad.
Last Words
There is more than one way to find the best Salesforce developer.
To be successful at attracting and retaining top talent you have to define the role correctly and allocate tasks accordingly.
A nice pay packet and a friendly work environment help. Perhaps a few days of work from home every month can tilt the balance in your favor.
Rest assured if you follow the tips we have provided you would find a top Salesforce developer in no time at all.
