16 Must-Have Salesforce Administrator Skills

Salesforce is a Customer Relationship Management software used in multiple companies around the world. The software is being implemented across every industry at an exponential pace.

A Salesforce administrator needs to have multiple skills to execute their roles and responsibilities well. The administrator is responsible for customizing the Salesforce platform of businesses to optimize the work practices of the company. They also handle user data, solve real-time problems, and organize reports.

This involves quite a few skills that Salesforce Administrators need to be responsible for.

Related read – What is a Salesforce Administrator?

Best 16 Skills that a Salesforce Admin Needs to Have

Salesforce administrators must constantly communicate with their workforce about processes, updates, meetups, plans, issues, and solutions. To effectively communicate with all levels of the company, an expert Salesforce Administrator should have 16 essential Salesforce Administrator skills. They are:

1. Data Management Skills
2. Leadership Skills
3. Communication Skills
4. Project Management Skills
5. Organizational Skills
6. Understanding of Sales
7. Salesforce Knowledge and Resourcefulness
8. Process Building Knowledge
9. Optimization Skills
10. Developer Mindset
11. Industry Awareness
12. Technological Knowledge
13. Deep Understanding of Key Salesforce Products and Services
14. Customer Interaction Skills
15. Safety Management
16. Up-to-date Knowledge of the Latest Version of Databases 

1. Data Management Skills

A Salesforce admin needs to be able to manage the data stored on the Salesforce CRM. The data needs to be accurate, secure, and capable of analysis and optimization. Proper data management leads to progress on the future goals of the business.

2. Leadership Skills

Whether the Salesforce admin manages a team or not, leadership skills are always a valuable asset. Planning of operations, execution, decision-making, and communication are the main aspects of being a leader that a Salesforce admin needs to have.

3. Communication Skills

A Salesforce administrator should be able to constantly communicate with their team about problems, updates, and processes. Effective Salesforce Configuration relies on clear communication between the admin and employees, managers, users, and other teams of the organization.

4. Project Management Skills

The flow of a project needs to be organized by the Salesforce administrator. Some of the main aspects of project management are planning, scheduling, quality control, communication, and execution.

5. Organizational Skills

Planning and strategizing are two key things to be done by a Salesforce administrator. Having properly planned and organized schedules and processes can help the administrator easily identify potential problems, identify and execute solutions, and set up a timeframe for future projects and plans.

6. Understanding of Sales

Salesforce administrators will be working closely with the Sales team of an organization. Therefore, a fundamental understanding of the Sales processes can help the administrator better form solutions and raise appropriate queries. It would also be easier to understand the language and solutions of the Sales team.

7. Salesforce Knowledge and Resourcefulness

Software relating to Salesforce usually updates very frequently. Keeping up with up-to-date information on CRM products and services is essential to being in the loop as a Salesforce administrator. Networking with experts and being able to find answers to queries easily can help Salesforce administrators.

8. Process Building Knowledge

A Salesforce administrator has to use various methods of building a process for their teams to follow to arrive at the desired solution. Building a good process means that there are no problems in communication and no confusion regarding the workflow.

9. Optimization Skills

A Salesforce administrator should be capable of noticing potential flaws and obstacles and should work on preventing obstacles and optimizing the workflows of processes. Being proactive in delivering such data would be better than responding to each problem query as it comes.

10. Developer Mindset

Building a logical framework and being able to code can put the Salesforce administrator in control of the processes involved in handling permissions and setting up the CRM platform. It also helps to be mindful of the results and effects of making the software customized.

11. Industry Awareness

Understanding the field of the business for which the Salesforce administrator works can prove to be the edge when it comes to beating out other competitive Salesforce administrators. Operating and understanding different processes, activities, and business goals can influence how well the administrator can use Salesforce as a tool.

12. Technological Knowledge

To be a Salesforce Administrator, you need to have some necessary skills. One of which is the ability to work with a variety of technologies. You should also know about writing programs and using spreadsheets or relevant computer languages such as Java, Perl, or C++.

13. Deep Understanding of Key Salesforce Products and Services

Salesforce Administrators possess not just the administration skills to manage all elements of Salesforce but also the technical knowledge to make it work. They also have an in-depth understanding of crucial Salesforce products, services, and technology.

14. Customer Interaction Skills

As an administrator, you ensure that customers have the right business intelligence and analytics to get the necessary information. You also help your users keep track of their data and make critical decisions.

15. Safety Management

The Salesforce Administrator’s job is to ensure the infrastructure and IT systems are running smoothly and that all users can access the appropriate tools, reports, and notifications. They also need to regularly check for errors in the system and resolve any problems, whether on a server, an app, or a report.

16. Up-to-date Knowledge of the Latest Version of Databases 

Solid knowledge of standard industry programming and the ability to write software programs; experience working with the latest version of enterprise databases using powerful tools like Oracle, SQL Server, and Microsoft Access; excellent analytical skills that can translate data into meaningful information, etc. are expected from an expert Salesforce Administrator. 

Also read – Salesforce Administrator Salary Guide

Summing Up

Professional Salesforce administrators have an official Salesforce certification, which helps them secure careers with top-of-the-line employers. A Salesforce certification can be acquired by passing the Salesforce Admin Exam.

Sign up with saasguru for the Salesforce Administrator course and start preparing for the exam with top-notch content and practice tests curated explicitly by our gurus to help you ace the Admin certification exam on the very first go.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the comprehensive skills needed to excel as a Salesforce Administrator? 

To excel as a Salesforce Administrator, one needs a diverse set of skills including data management, leadership, communication, project management, organizational skills, understanding of sales processes, Salesforce knowledge, process building, optimization, developer mindset, industry awareness, technological proficiency, deep understanding of Salesforce products and services, customer interaction skills, safety management, and up-to-date knowledge of databases.

2. How does the role of a Salesforce Administrator evolve with technological advancements in Salesforce? 

As Salesforce introduces new features and technologies, the role of a Salesforce Administrator evolves to incorporate these advancements into their organization’s Salesforce Management. Administrators need to stay updated with the latest Salesforce products, services, and best practices to ensure optimal utilization of the platform and drive business growth.

3. Is experience with Salesforce Lightning essential for all Salesforce Administrators? 

While Salesforce Lightning is becoming increasingly popular, not all organizations have migrated to this interface. However, it is highly recommended for Salesforce Administrators to familiarize themselves with Lightning, as it represents the future of Salesforce and offers enhanced user experience, productivity, and customization options.

4. Can a Salesforce Administrator manage the system without coding skills? 

Yes, a Salesforce Administrator can manage the system without extensive coding skills. Salesforce provides a user-friendly interface and declarative tools for customization and configuration. However, having a basic understanding of coding concepts and the ability to write simple scripts can be beneficial for advanced administration tasks and troubleshooting.

5. What do you need to be a Salesforce admin?

To become a Salesforce admin, you need:

• Educational Background: A degree in computer science, business administration, or a related field can be beneficial but is not mandatory.
• Salesforce Certification: Earning a Salesforce Administrator certification (ADM 201) is highly recommended as it validates your skills and knowledge of the platform.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues that arise within the Salesforce platform.
• Communication Skills: Strong communication skills to interact effectively with all levels of the organization and provide training and support to Salesforce users.
• Continuous Learning: Commitment to continuous learning and staying updated with new Salesforce features and best practices.

6. How can a Salesforce admin stay updated with new features and industry trends?

A Salesforce admin can stay updated by:

• Following Salesforce Releases: Salesforce rolls out three major releases each year. Admins should familiarize themselves with the release notes and participate in release webinars or training sessions.
• Engaging in Community Events: Participating in Salesforce community events, webinars, and user groups can provide insights into new trends and best practices.
• Utilizing Online Resources: Platforms like Salesforce Trailhead provide a wealth of resources for learning new skills and staying current with the latest developments.

7. What are the daily responsibilities of a Salesforce admin?

Daily responsibilities of a Salesforce admin include:

• Managing User Accounts: Creating and managing user accounts, resetting passwords, and handling security roles and permissions.
• Maintaining System Health: Monitoring system performance, running diagnostic reports, and performing regular audits to ensure optimal platform functionality.
• Implementing Changes and Updates: Deploying new features or changes within Salesforce, including customizations and new user training.
• Providing User Support: Offering support to Salesforce users by resolving their technical problems and ensuring they can utilize the platform effectively.