Must-Have Essential Salesforce Developer Skills in 2024

When we talk about the Salesforce platform, the sky’s the limit because the CRM platform is growing and expanding. 

Professionals who know the Salesforce platform are influenced by the number of job opportunities flooding the market. One of the job roles that are highly in demand is that of the Salesforce developers. They are the technical experts who live in the coding world to create new developments, design applications and oversee integrations. 

The job opportunities for Salesforce developers are swiftly increasing. So, the recruiters are looking for more than just a competent programmer and developer to fulfill their responsibilities as a Salesforce developer. Therefore, there is no doubt that coding skills are essential for building a career around Salesforce as a developer. But other qualities and skills are becoming equally vital. 

Before learning the must-have skills and qualities to land a job as a Salesforce developer, it is crucial to understand the Salesforce Platform Developer 1 certification Syllabus topics. It is only after getting familiar with the syllabus that you would be able to understand the importance of the skill set required for a Salesforce developer job. 

What is the Role of a Salesforce Developer? 

Salesforce provides three types of certification programs for the Salesforce developer. Salesforce Platform Developer 1, Salesforce Platform Developer 2, and JavaScript Developer 1. A Salesforce developer is a programmer and a coder who designs Salesforce applications across the Salesforce platform. His job involves tasks ranging from creating websites to creating applications.

The day-to-day responsibilities of a Salesforce developer involve the following work:-

1. Solving problems using computer code
2. Optimizing the Salesforce software suite
3. Understanding and solving customers’ requirements
4. Scrutinizing the company’s processes
5. Configuring and optimizing CRM products
6. Developing pages with the help of languages like Visualforce and Apex
7. Handling and creating custom apps for the Salesforce platform
8. Managing customer communities
9. Creating lightning applications
10. Building extensions for the Salesforce Appexchange
11. Completing integrations between third party services and the Salesforce web app

So as a Salesforce developer, you are an expert on the Salesforce platform, how it works, and how to optimize it to maximize the customers’ requirements by using out-of-the-box tools and the lightning platform.

Related read – A guide to becoming a successful Salesforce Developer 

All-Round Skills to Become a Successful Salesforce Developer

Most people already know that it is easy to work on technical skills, but there are some other skills like soft skills that will help you stand out from the crowd. 

We outline the top skills to help you excel and your career in Salesforce and advance your personality towards leadership roles.

1. Technical Skills 

You must know and showcase your knowledge of the Salesforce platform and how it works. You will need to show that you have the required skills and understanding of cloud-based integration and programming languages. Below is a list of the languages you must have the command on. 

• Apex
• Visualforce
• Javascript
• CSS
• HTML
• SOUL

Apart from this, you must know web development tools like Git, Eclipse, ID, and Sublime. 

2. Analytical Skills

By analytical skills, we mean that you must understand and deeply analyze the requirements and demands of the customers. Therefore, analytical skills and capabilities are essential to successfully transform the design/code and build a long-term career in Salesforce. Analytical skills will help you test the code and define the outcomes correctly. 

3. Communication Skills

Teamwork is an essential part of the Salesforce platform. Collaboration with the team members and the talent to make efforts with other team members is crucial for the success of the platform. So, the candidate must have a teamwork spirit and skills to be a successful Salesforce developer. You must know how to deliver your point that involves technical jargon and terms by translating it into general terms. At the same time, it is essential to communicate every piece of information effectively, and this quality makes you different from the other Salesforce developers. 

4. Problem-solving Skills and Logical Skills

We all know that no CRM platform is free from errors, bugs, and problems. So, exceptional practical knowledge and problem-solving capabilities are essential for Salesforce developers. Adequate knowledge and quick problem solving will help maintain the Salesforce platform flow.

Identifying problems is crucial, but it is equally vital to develop innovative and sustainable solutions. That is why you must have the logical ability as a Salesforce developer. Check out our guide on the best way to learn Salesforce Development.

5. Other Skills

Apart from the specific skill set, the candidate should have the patience to arrive at a viable solution. The life of a Salesforce developer never stops giving you the stuff to continue learning. So, as a Salesforce developer, you will continue to add new updates to your knowledge base. You will need to learn new technologies, tools, procedures, and processes to maintain your skillset as a Salesforce developer.

Also read – How long does it take to become a Salesforce Developer?

Conclusion

To further enhance your journey and ensure you’re always on the right track, saasguru’s Salesforce labs offer an invaluable resource. With a range of mini-projects, practical exercises, and real-time feedback, these labs provide a unique opportunity to apply your knowledge in a controlled, supportive environment. Whether you’re preparing for a crucial interview or looking to deepen your expertise in either admin or development areas, these labs cater to all needs, allowing you to progress confidently at your own pace.

Dive into saasguru’s Salesforce labs and embrace the chance to grow your skills through practical, real-world scenarios. It’s time to move beyond the uncertainty of whether you’re doing things right.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Salesforce Developer easy to learn?

The Salesforce platform is vast and constantly changing, but it is not difficult to learn. If you dedicate yourself to learning the development concepts and choose the reliable course, you can learn Salesforce development in as little as two weeks.

2. What do Salesforce developers look for?

Salesforce developers should acquire programming skills, analytical skills, and excellent problem-solving and communication skills.

3. Does Salesforce Developer require coding?

Salesforce is a platform that allows developers to build applications by using no-code tools and low-code tools. You don’t need a technical background to become a Salesforce developer. But the job profile would require you to understand Java, Apex, and Visualforce. 

4. Which language is required for a Salesforce developer?

The Salesforce platform uses Apex programming language for custom code and Visualforce for the user interface. As a beginner, you should start by learning Java.

5. What are the different types of Salesforce developer roles?

There are several types of Salesforce developer roles, each with specific responsibilities:

a. Apex Developer: Specializes in building custom applications using Apex, Salesforce’s proprietary programming language.

b. Visualforce Developer: Focuses on creating user interfaces using Visualforce, a framework for building custom user interfaces in Salesforce.

c. Lightning Component Developer: Works with Salesforce Lightning, developing Lightning Components and Applications.

d. Integration Developer: Deals with integrating Salesforce with other systems using APIs and middleware.

e. Salesforce Mobile Developer: Specializes in developing mobile applications using the Salesforce Mobile SDK.

6. How can I become a Salesforce developer?

To become a Salesforce developer, follow these steps:

a. Familiarize Yourself with Salesforce: Learn the basics of Salesforce, its modules, and how the platform works.

b. Study Apex and Visualforce: Master Salesforce’s programming languages: Apex and Visualforce.

c. Learn Salesforce Lightning: Familiarize yourself with Lightning Components and the Lightning Framework.

d. Gain Practical Experience: Work on personal projects or contribute to open-source projects to gain hands-on experience.

e. Complete Salesforce Developer Certifications: Obtain relevant certifications to validate your skills.

f. Stay Updated: Keep up with Salesforce’s updates, best practices, and new features.

7. What are the best Salesforce developer certifications?

Some popular Salesforce developer certifications are:

a. Platform Developer I and II: Validate your knowledge of Apex, Visualforce, and general Salesforce development.

b. Salesforce OmniStudio Develper: The Salesforce OmniStudio Developer certification targets individuals with expertise in building cloud applications using OmniStudio’s declarative development tools. This credential validates their knowledge, skills, and experience in developing applications with this specific technology.

8. What are the challenges of being a Salesforce developer?

Some challenges faced by Salesforce developers include:

a. Rapid Changes: The platform evolves quickly, requiring developers to keep up with frequent updates.

b. Governor Limits: Developers must work within Salesforce’s resource limits, which can sometimes be restrictive.

c. Complexity: Building scalable and efficient solutions can be complex, especially when dealing with large data volumes.

d. Integration Complexity: Integrating Salesforce with other systems may present challenges.

e. Business Process Understanding: Developers need a deep understanding of the business processes to build effective solutions.

9. What are the future trends in Salesforce development?

Some future trends in Salesforce development may include:

a. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Integration of AI/ML capabilities into Salesforce applications.

b. Low-code/No-code Development: Empowering non-developers to build applications using Salesforce’s low-code tools.

c. Internet of Things (IoT) Integration: Connecting and analyzing data from IoT devices within Salesforce.

d. Mobile-First Development: Increasing focus on mobile app development and user experience.

e. Blockchain Integration: Exploring the potential of blockchain technology in Salesforce applications.

10. How can Salesforce developers stay up-to-date on the latest skills and trends?

Salesforce developers can stay up-to-date through the following methods:

a. Trailhead: Salesforce’s free online learning platform offers modules on various topics and features updates.

b. Webinars and Events: Attend webinars, conferences, and community events focused on Salesforce development.

c. Release Notes and Blogs: Regularly read Salesforce release notes and blogs to stay informed about updates.

d. Online Communities: Engage with the Salesforce developer community on forums like Salesforce Stack Exchange.

e. Continued Learning: Pursue advanced certifications and online courses to deepen your knowledge.

11. What are the different types of Salesforce development tools?

Some common Salesforce development tools include:

a. Salesforce Developer Console: An integrated development environment for coding, debugging, and testing.

b. Visual Studio Code (VS Code) Extensions: VS Code can be extended with Salesforce-specific plugins.

c. Workbench: A web-based tool for interacting with Salesforce data using APIs.

d. Data Loader: A tool for bulk data import/export between Salesforce and external sources.

e. Force.com IDE: An Eclipse-based IDE for developing on the Salesforce platform.

12. What are the best practices for Salesforce development?

Best practices for Salesforce development include:

a. Governor Limits Compliance: Be mindful of Salesforce’s resource limits and design efficient code.

b. Modular Development: Organize your code into reusable and modular components.

c. Testing: Implement unit tests and follow Test-Driven Development (TDD) principles.

d. Data Security: Adhere to Salesforce’s security model and apply appropriate data access controls.

e. Documentation: Maintain clear and up-to-date documentation for your code and applications.

f. Version Control: Use version control systems to manage your codebase effectively.

13. What are the core skills that all Salesforce developers should have?

Core skills for Salesforce developers include:

a. Apex and Visualforce: Proficiency in Salesforce’s server-side programming languages.

b. Lightning Web Components: Knowledge of building components with Salesforce Lightning.

c. Integration: Familiarity with integrating Salesforce with external systems.

d. Data Modeling: Understanding how to design efficient and scalable data models.

e. Debugging and Testing: Skills to troubleshoot issues and create robust unit tests.

14. What are the soft skills that are important for Salesforce developers?

Soft skills crucial for Salesforce developers include:

a. Problem-Solving: The ability to analyze issues and devise effective solutions.

b. Communication: Clear communication with team members, clients, and stakeholders.

c. Collaboration: Working effectively in a team and being open to feedback.

d. Adaptability: Being able to handle changes and learn new technologies quickly.

e. Time Management: Managing tasks and deadlines efficiently.

15. How can I demonstrate my Salesforce developer skills to potential employers?

To demonstrate your Salesforce developer skills:

a. Personal Projects: Build your own Salesforce applications or contribute to open-source projects.

b. GitHub Portfolio: Showcase your code on platforms like GitHub to share with potential employers.

c. Certifications: Obtain relevant Salesforce certifications to validate your skills.

d. LinkedIn Profile: Optimize your LinkedIn profile to highlight your experience and achievements.

e. Participate in Trailhead: Earn badges and points on Salesforce’s Trailhead platform to display your knowledge.

Remember that a combination of practical experience, certifications, and a strong online presence can make you stand out as a skilled Salesforce developer to potential employers.