People Behind the Certs – Sanket Kumar – saasguru

Meet Mr. Sanket Kumar, a highly accomplished professional with 6x Salesforce Certifications and 2x Lightning Champion awards, recognized by Salesforce. Currently serving as a Technical Specialist at Coforge, Mr. Kumar has successfully navigated a remarkable career trajectory in the Salesforce domain, despite starting out as an Electrical Engineer. 

In addition to his impressive career in the Salesforce domain, Mr. Kumar has also made significant contributions to the community as a successful blogger at SalesforceDiaries and Salesforce Architect Group Leader in Hyderabad.

Mr. Kumar is also a highly regarded Salesforce trainer and community speaker. His passion for sharing his knowledge and expertise with others has made him a sought-after speaker and trainer, and his commitment to helping others succeed has earned him the respect and admiration of the community.

Let us delve into Mr. Kumar’s inspiring journey, exploring his experiences and insights on how he climbed the ladder of success in the Salesforce domain.

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.

SK: I have completed my primary education in a very small town known as Harnaut, located in Nalanda, Bihar. Later, I moved to the capital city of Bihar and started preparing for the engineering entrance exam. I secured a seat at the College of Engineering and Management, Kolagaht, West Bengal, and completed my electrical engineering in 2017. I was placed in TCS and chosen to be part of the first batch of Salesforce in the ILP training program.

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?

SK: One of my college seniors taught me SharePoint after graduation while I was waiting for my joining letter. Though I didn’t know anything about programming languages, it ignited an interest in low-code platforms like SharePoint, IBM Bluemix, etc.

Very soon, my ILP started at Gandhinagar TCS, and I asked the centre head, “Why should I learn Salesforce?” Instead, I could go for SharePoint, IBM BlueMix, etc. The reply I got was, “Believe me, you will thank me after 1-2 years of your journey.”

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?

SK: Ya, sure.

1. Certifications are an important part of many professional fields, and they can be hugely beneficial to both individuals and potential employers.
2. Certification demonstrates that someone has received the necessary training and qualifications they need to be successful in their chosen field.
3. It also shows potential employers that job applicants have the knowledge and skills required to be a valuable member of the team.
4. Moreover, certifications can open doors for job seekers, making it easier for them to find work in the field.
5. Finally, certifications provide a way for individuals to stay up to date with the newest trends in their field, allowing them to stay on top of the latest technologies and best practices.

The main challenges associated with the process are:-

1. Cost: Salesforce certificates are expensive in an Indian economic context. Especially in Architect level exams.
2. Time: When you are working professionally, it is very hard to find the time to prepare for your exam.
3. Difficulty: Salesforce certifications are not so easy to pass. I felt the exam questions were well equipped with quality and standard.
4. Upkeep: The upkeep of Salesforce certificates used to be much more difficult than it is now, but we still have to do it every year.

My top tips for being successful in certification exams are:-

1. Go over the Trailhead certification prep guide.
2. Finish the relevant trailhead modules and review the relevant help articles.
3. Practice relevant questions available on various online forums.
4. Form a study group and discuss the topics.

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

1. Customers’ belief in you
2. You know the ins and outs of a specific Salesforce product.
3. It adds value to your LinkedIn profile.
4. It helps in your career growth.

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?

SK: I would like to thank my first company, TCS, for providing me with the opportunity to work on Salesforce as a fresher. It shaped me to be able to stand out exceptionally in the job market. Also, I would like to thank the Hyderabad community group leaders for showing immense belief in me and providing many opportunities at various community events.