April 2020

How To Keep Your Salesforce Job – Who Makes The Firing Decisions?

Tips that will help you keep your salesforce job

The pandemic has severely damaged the world economy and job security has been thrown out the window

As a Salesforce recruiter, my advice to those with a job they like (or love) is to hang on to the job for as long as possible. Obviously, in the economic downturn, this is easier said than done, but I have a few tips that can help you keep the job you have, reduce your risk of being laid off and ensure stability.

Here is my advice

There are three sections to surviving the current economy.

1. Save money:

The first and foremost thing to do is to be prepared for the loss of the job. No matter how valuable you believe you are, there is always a chance your employer might let you go. So, save as much cash as possible so you are prepared if that happens.

I understand that not everyone has the luxury of saving money, but try to find ways to cut down on costs. Many are researching mortgage refinance, selling cars with high payments for an affordable vehicle you can own outright and mowing your own lawn are good places to start.

2. Tips on keeping the job

The second step when facing a recession for Salesforce professionals is to do everything you can to secure the job you have.

Always keep in touch with the senior leadership. Comment on their LinkedIn posts, wish them a happy birthday, and make sure they know who you are and what you do in the company.

The more people that talk about you positively, the chances of retaining your job increase significantly.

Working hard and putting out great work is always a plus for your reputation in any economy. However, exceptional performance might not be enough. Your work needs to be in the limelight to let the higher-ups know you are crucial to the organizations success.

Often, the person deciding who gets to keep their job is someone you don’t even report to. It can be your boss’s boss or someone even higher up the ladder. It is therefore essential to have a good reputation with all levels in your company, especially upper management.

3. Be prepared to switch jobs.

Lastly, be prepared to look for a job in case you lose your job. Dial in your LinkedIn profile and resume (See this video for how) and keep your eyes open for new job opportunities.

I also have a video on my YouTube channel on the topic of how to keep your salesforce job. Click the link for more tips and suggestions on how to protect your career during the Covid crisis.

Conclusion

If you’re already working, don’t start looking for a new job until you’ve invested in your finances, internal network, resume and LinkedIn profile.

I Lost My Job – 6 Things To Do Before You Start The Job Hunt

If you’ve recently lost your job, this article is for you.

Note to reader: As The Salesforce Recruiter, I’ve created an ongoing series to address immediate needs and concerns of those affected by the Covid pandemic within the Salesforce eco system. I recommend watching the videos and subscribing to the channel to stay up to date on new information. This is Part 1 and will cover steps 1, 2 and 3.

I’ve Lost My Job! What am I going to do?

Whether you’re rolling with the punches, have a strong back up plan or are even grateful to leave your current company, job loss is stressful and ranks high on traumatic events. For some, it’s as painful as the death of a friend. Knowing you’re not alone and that the country is doing its best to unite may not be enough and it certainly doesn’t pay the bills. This article won’t pay your bills either. Only you can do that, so let’s focus first on three things that are within your control.

1. Give Yourself Permission to Grieve

It’s not just ok to mourn, complain, lean on your loved ones and friends, lament, be angry, feel vulnerable, feel afraid, nervous, worried and commonly, devastated. It’s absolutely normal.

If you are the type to take action quickly, do so with caution. Without processing the hurt, fear and anger, unless you’re a skilled actor, it will show to future employers. This stuff is so deep, it’s incredibly hard to mask. You’ll do yourself and those that depend on you more favors by acknowledging you will need some time. Generally at least a couple days to a week. Unless you have a big stash, don’t wait longer than that.

If your spouse is wondering why the next day you aren’t filling out job applications, show them this article. DO NOT INTERVIEW WITHOUT PROCESSING YOUR PAIN.

Misery loves company. Don’t be misery’s friend. Grieve and then stop. It’s ok to talk about things like your feelings and the impact to you and those you care for, but overly negative dialogue that’s repeated creates brain pathways that, like ruts in the road, keep you on track for the wrong destination. It doesn’t take a high Emotional Quotient to smell bitterness. That is one stanky perfume and creates even greater social distancing from the people who matter to you most.

2. Reframe Your Experience

Even though people lose jobs regardless of a pandemic, future employers will understand with great clarity the primary reason behind your recent availability. If we fall at the foot of victimhood we’ll be flatting the curve on our career, so don’t do that. Deeply understanding why you lost your Salesforce job is imperative and it’s all in how it’s framed.

This is my recommended “framing” for your difficult experience.

“I lost my job to save a life. The life of someone who matters. I lost my job to save a company. A company that may live to hire me again. I’m not a victim because I am alive. I am not a casualty because I can still work. I’ve lost my job, but not my career.”

3. Manage Emotions By Taking Care of Your Body

How much we sleep, the kind of food we eat and how much exercise we get directly impacts our endocrine system.The endocrine system is the collection of glands that produce hormones that regulate metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep, and mood. Treat your body like a punching bag and your mood is likely to follow suit.

Don’t make ice cream, Doritos and booze part of your daily routine. Don’t quit exercise if you already do it. If you don’t, then start. Don’t stay up til 2 a.m., sleep until 11, or forego the sun. Protect your future and your family and your income by looking after your body, and your mood immediately.

Take care of yourself. Seriously!

While steps 1, 2 and 3 are all about self care. Steps 4, 5 and 6 are about arming ourselves with compelling job hunting assets like a pro resume, engaging LinkedIn profile and how to get the information for both that matters most.

Protect Your Salesforce Career During Pandemic

Salesforce careers are safer than most, but...

If you are still working, you’re either very lucky or you’re currently indispensable.

That’s a good position to be in and one you’ll want to keep. Even so, unless you’re a frontline medical professional or a divorce attorney, there are no guarantees in a market like this.

The industry and business you work for have already been decided so let’s focus on what you can control.

Your attitude.

Don’t complain outside of your family. Complainers, troublemakers, those that cry victim or don’t play the office politics game are at risk. If you’re healthy, and working, even if you’re pay has been reduced, an attitude of gratitude is not just a key to happiness, it just might protect your career. Don’t squeak the wheel.

Your effort.

While everyone else is spending remote hours working on their lawn, get inside, log in and get more work done than your colleagues. If you’re a Salesforce leader, set an example of what it will take to deliver to your clients and support the business. If you’re a producer – produce more and with better quality.

Your communication.

Specifically, keeping everyone appraised of your work, projects, business health – whatever it is, without needing to be asked. We all have boss. If you’re the business owner, it’s your clients, if you’re the CEO, it’s your board or the needs of your employees. Giving your management team regular insight into what you are accomplishing will ensure your achievements are not going unnoticed. This is greasing the wheel.

Your hero status.

When the world is hurting, we all need to chip in. You and I aren’t on the front lines, but we can help support them and those that are suffering most. Donating blood, giving to those less fortunate like Blessings in a Backpack which feeds hungry school kids, or sewing masks like my wife Rebecca, are all great ways to show your support for others.

I know. Pretty straightforward stuff, right? Under times of stress and turmoil, it’s nice to get a reminder now and then. If you like this content and want to see more, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel JoshForce.

Have something to add? Be sure to leave a comment and stay safe out there.

Three Things To Know If Your Salesforce Recruiting Budget Gets Cut

Three things to know if your Salesforce recruiting budget gets cut.

When the economy is being crippled, hiring declines, Salesforce headhunters disappear (not me) and you might even lose your internal recruiter. Here are three things to know if your Salesforce recruiting budget gets cut.

1. Apply even more scrutiny to available applicants.

There are more available Salesforce Candidates in the market. As recent as February, 2020, there were more jobs than candidates, so this is a good thing. However, in a down economy we must apply even more scrutiny to available applicants. Many employers are reducing their teams and are letting go of Salesforce employees with the least amount of value, to them. That’s an important distinction as these same candidates could be of high value elsewhere. Many firms are using the current economy as a reason to cut employees they’ve been wanting to let go for some time.

This doesn’t mean at all that there aren’t truly excellent Salesforce professionals who are currently or soon to be on the market. That’s not the case at all. So, check on the reasons why they were let go. Did the entire division experience as RIF? Were the they “last on and first gone”? And be very thorough in your reference checks.

2. Be careful of outsourcing the work to anyone else but you.

If you lose your internal recruiter or you have no budget to work with a Salesforce headhunter or Staffing agency, be careful of outsourcing the work to anyone else but you. Your administrative assistant or EA may be swell, but it’s your career that is built or broken by the team you build. Speaking from 20 years of recruiting, this stuff isn’t learned overnight and in the Salesforce space, it’s 5x as hard. I’m here to help during these challenging times and will be happy to point anyone in the right direction.

3. You must hire contractors quickly.

There is already a reduction in direct-hire, full time opportunities. This is my third recession as a recruiter and we always see an increase in contract placement. Back in 2008, some of the largest firms doubled their contract placement divisions to the tune of billions of dollars. If you’re not used to hiring contractors, know this; You Must Hire Quickly! You can have a great hiring process, but applying slow, direct hire methodologies to a contractor will leave you high and dry and wondering where all the good ones have gone.

Of course, there’s more to it than just this. To learn more and stay up to date, subscribe for videos here.

Stay safe!