The traditional model of career progression was: learn as skill, get a job, get promoted, become a manager, then keep that job until you retire. The problem with that is that not only does it limit opportunities, but it’s also a fast recipe for stagnation. If you’re only developing skills and experience in one specific Salesforce niche, chances are at some point you’ll get bored, but with no option for upward progression you may feel stuck. And this is especially an issue when industries or technologies start to mature.
In the UK, Salesforce is starting to reach a level of maturity. Have you considered that maybe it’s time to move on and gain some fresh experience to prevent career stagnation? Despite what you may think, the best careers are those that are not linear. It’s not always about moving up, sometimes a side step or even a backwards step is the best career move you can make because it can lead to new and often better opportunities. Here are our three top tips for preventing career stagnation:
1. Always be learning
This goes far beyond the basics of fulfilling a Salesforce job in terms of development, integration or coding. When you are conscious about learning you are always on the lookout for opportunities to do so, and this in itself is what opens many doors. Even a lunch time chat with a junior colleague may highlight an area they are struggling with. It can plant an idea, open up an opportunity to collaborate and find solutions that don’t yet exist. If you document your problem solving methods and solutions, it can provide a framework for future learning, both for yourself and juniors.
Broaden your horizons by reading books, joining forums and sharing ideas with people in similar roles. As you gain expertise, share your knowledge, because not only does this help build your professional profile, but also helps to raise the bar on the complexities and challenges you get to tackle.
Learn skills beyond standard Salesforce jobs and IT, such as project management or change management. With architecture and technology changing rapidly, these are skills that managers need for successful project implementation.
Look to other industries. While being in the hub of an IT company may seem like the ideal environment for career progression, the reality is that all industries are IT dependent and as such there are opportunities to use your experience to make a big impact in other niche industries. The healthcare industry, insurance industry, retail, NGO’s, even government organisations are becoming more focused on technology to become more efficient.
2. Play to your strengths
There’s a saying: “You’ll never get bored if you’re doing what you love!” So find what you love to do and develop your skills around that. Knowing yourself and playing to your strengths can 
contribute greatly to career satisfaction. Why? Because then you’re not simply doing what everyone else says you should be doing, or fitting in with what the organisation expects you to do. You’re building your Salesforce career not just doing another job.
IT professionals are often expected to work long hours in big open office environments with pressing deadlines and this can be a recipe for burnout. By knowing how you work best, and what environment makes you most productive, you can seek out other Salesforce jobs that offer what you need, instead of simply accepting what you can get.
3. Stay connected
Whether you attend conferences and seminars or engage on online forums, staying connected is a great way to develop your Salesforce career. You not only constantly stay abreast of what is happening in the industry, but you also have the opportunity of sharing knowledge with like-minded individuals.
Staying connected also helps you to keep moving forward as technology advances and creates opportunities to integrate the old with the new. Many new technologies are simply improvements or built on older proven technologies so expertise and knowledge is seldom wasted. One of the biggest challenges companies face is keeping up with technology developments. Staying connected on a personal level to other experts in the industry can provide valuable insights from other organisations as to how they overcame implementation challenges.
Finally, know that your Salesforce career is what you make it. It’s a platform offering a great deal of diversity and opportunities and suited to people of varying skills, expertise and personalities. Connect, collaborate and always be learning and you’ll find many opportunities to avoid stagnation and develop your Salesforce career. And if all else fails, speak to our expert Salesforce recruiters to give your career a boost!!
Resource On Demand is Europe’s first specialist Salesforce Recruitment Company. We assist the world’s leading organisations to grow their technology teams. Supporting companies to fill roles that span across digital marketing, marketing automation, Human Capital Management, CRM system management and, Salesforce developer, Salesforce consultant and Salesforce admin jobs.
The team at Resource On Demand have access to an extensive database of key talent, registering over 8000 professionals each year. To find out how we can support you call us on +44 20 8123 7769 or rod@resourceondemand.com.