Employers

Salesforce developers are employed by Salesforce Inc., companies that use Salesforce platforms, and design firms that create new Salesforce software or improve existing versions. They also work for other companies that develop customer relationship management (CRM) software. Major CRM software developers include Microsoft, SAP SE, Oracle, Adobe, Zoho Corporation, Creatio, SugarCRM, Copper CRM, and Insightly. Some developers launch their own consulting firms. Others become corporate technology trainers, high school or college computer science teachers, or IT writers or bloggers.

Starting Out

Salesforce Inc. is one of the main employers of Salesforce developers so it’s logical to start your job-search by visiting its career Web site, https://www.salesforce.com/company/careers. At this site, you can join its network (which allows you to learn about job opportunities, get tips on how to enter the field, and learn about future events near you), receive more information about its job application and interviewing processes, and apply for jobs or internships. Developers also work for software firms that develop software that can be used with Salesforce Inc. products, as well as large companies that use the Salesforce platform. Job opportunities with these employers can be accessed by attending career fairs, by networking, and by visiting their career Web sites

Some people enter the field after first working as software testers. They typically earn certificates or complete other training on the Salesforce platform to prepare for entry-level software development positions.

At some employers, developers advance by moving up an established tier (e.g., junior developer to intermediate developer to senior developer) and by receiving pay raises for each promotion. Salesforce developers can also become Salesforce architects, who design domain-specific, multi-cloud solutions on the Salesforce platform and/or design solutions regarding platform challenges such as lack of scalability, security concerns, or performance issues. Developers can also advance to become directors of product development or even chief technology officers. Others start their own design or consulting firms, while some become corporate IT trainers or college computer science professors.

Participate in Salesforce developer forums at https://developer.salesforce.com/forums to build your skills and knowledge base and make industry connections.

Visit the following Web sites for job listings:

• https://www.salesforce.com/company/careers
• https://www.linkedin.com
• https://jobs.computer.org
• http://jobs.acm.org     
• https://www.dice.com

Create a profile on LinkedIn to get the attention of potential employers and recruiters. Join groups—such as Salesforce Developers/Contractors, The Salesforce Developer Group, and Salesforce Partners and Professionals-Developers | Consultants | Administrators | Architects—to network and keep up to date on industry developments.

Try to find a technical mentor who can identify mistakes and other areas for improvement in your code and help you to become a better developer. Perhaps he or she could connect you to job opportunities or serve as a reference when you apply for jobs.

Review job listings at https://www.salesforce.com/company/careers, https://www.linkedin.com, and other Web sites to learn more about typical job duties of Salesforce developers and key educational requirements and personal and technical skills in demand by employers.