When engaging consultants, volunteers, or new hires to join your team, and you want to verify their Salesforce skills, here's what you should look for:
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Request Their Trailhead Profile Link: Ask for the URL to their Trailhead profile, which should start with "trailblazer.me/id/...". Don't settle for a screenshot—always check the live link to ensure it's up-to-date and accurate.
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Verify Certifications: Certifications are listed just under the profile summary. Look for the green "active" dot next to each certification, indicating it's current. Remember, certifications expire if they aren't maintained.
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Be Cautious with System Administrator Access: Never grant System Administrator access to anyone without at least the Salesforce Admin Certification. This role has extensive control over your data. It’s also wise to have them sign an NDA and conduct thorough reference checks.
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Check for Relevant Experience with NPSP or NPC: If you’re using the Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP) or Nonprofit Cloud (NPC), ensure they have the Nonprofit Consultant Certification. This certification confirms they understand the unique features and benefits specific to these tools.
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Review Their Trailhead Badge Count: The number of badges they’ve earned reflects their commitment to learning and the breadth of their knowledge.
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Look for Superbadges: Superbadges demonstrate their ability to apply skills to complex, real-world business challenges. These are strong indicators of expertise in specific roles.
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Assess Their Community Contributions: Check how much they contribute to the Trailblazer community. Do they answer questions and assist others?
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Check Salesforce Partner Ratings: If they are a Salesforce Partner, verify their rating on the Salesforce AppExchange.
By following these steps, you can confidently assess the Salesforce skills of anyone.
