People Behind the Certs – Anita Smith – saasguru

Today, let’s meet Ms. Anita Smith, Salesforce Business Analyst / Certified Scrum Master at Blue Sky Innovations. She is a Salesforce Certified Administrator, Certified Salesforce Business Analyst, Certified Scrum Master, Podcaster, and Talent Stacker – Salesforce Career Development Program. She is super confident that she can help drive your business growth and efficiency using Salesforce. Anita is also dedicated to assisting freshers in pivoting into the Salesforce ecosystem, and she is on the planning committee for Texas Dreamin’. 

Covid has hit many in various ways; some quit their jobs, but some reemerged, found their inner talent, and transitioned. Ms. Anita Smith, who was working as a Revenue Manager at a conventional hotel, transitioned to Salesforce when she was laid off in October 2020.

Transitioning from Hospitality Management to Salesforce can be challenging, but it proved worthwhile for her for several reasons.

The skills and experience gained in Hospitality Management can be transferable to a career in Salesforce. Both industries require excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Additionally, Hospitality Management often involves managing customer relationships, a key aspect of Salesforce. 

As a Revenue Manager, she also had experience with data analysis, forecasting, and budgeting, which are valuable skills in Salesforce that helps businesses manage their sales and customer data. With the experience of a Revenue Manager, she leveraged her analytical skills to support sales and marketing teams. As businesses increasingly rely on data to inform their operations and decision-making, the need for professionals who can manage and analyze this data is on the rise.

Undoubtedly, transitioning to Salesforce provided opportunities for her growth and advancement. 

Let’s explore how Ms. Anita Smith transitioned her career to Salesforce with dedication and persistence.

SG: Let’s get started. Why don’t we start from the beginning? Please tell us about your education/ career before entering the Salesforce ecosystem.

AS: I have a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management prior to pivoting to Salesforce. I worked at a convention hotel as a Revenue Manager. I was the person changing room rates and creating the short-term forecast for the property.

SG: That’s awesome. Now we would love to know what was the tipping point when you said, “I want to make this change,” and what was the trigger for that?

AS: Well, 2020 was not a good time for hospitality businesses, especially since my hotel’s bread and butter was group business. I was furloughed and finally laid off in Oct 2020. As soon as I received the letter, I went ahead and dived into Trailhead.

SG: You achieved many certs along the way. Can you share three things with us?

1. Why do you value certificates?

2. What are the challenges associated with the process?

3. What are your top tips for being successful in cert exams?

AS: Ya, sure.

1: Certs are a great way to showcase expertise in the area. It helped me redirect and bridge the gap into this new career. It also helped with imposter syndrome a bit. 

2: The exams are not easy, and I spent over 40 hours a week for 4 weeks going through Trailhead and Focus on Force to pass the Admin exam.

3: Top tip is not to look at the multiple-choice answers when taking practice exams. First, try to answer the question on your own. This helps to prevent memorization of the practice questions and enables you to walk through the answer. 2nd tip is to join a study group. It helps to have different perspectives and examples from others and keeps you on track to continue studying.

SG: What do you enjoy most about your work as a certified Salesforce professional?

AS: The Ohana. I’ve met so many amazing people, and all the different trailblazing groups and LinkedIn make it really easy to connect.

SG: Time for gratitude!! Finally, is there anyone (individual or company) that you would like to take this opportunity to thank for their role in helping you along your journey? If Yes, what was their role in your success?

AS: I would not be here without Bradley Rice and his Salesforce Career Development Program. Hearing his story on the ChooseFI podcast is what made me consider pivoting into this career in the first place. Talent Stacker helped guide me there faster than if I were to do it on my own.