I occasionally get asked:

“Do I need to get certified before applying for my 1st Salesforce position?”

My take: I wouldn’t wait.

I think the reality is that you’re going to get rejected with or without a certification.

You might as well continue to apply while you’re working on your certification(s).

Especially, if you have some examples of solutions that you have built.

And a resume and LinkedIn profile that helps showcase your work.

At least applying could potentially get you called out of the dugout.

And put you into centerfield.

Where you can practice grounders, line-drives, and pop-ups.

And you learn how to fumble through the few balls that come to you. 

To help better prepare you for the next inning.

You could have your resume state “Certification In Progress” or a future date noted, or something similar.

No one will notice that you’re even in the dugout, unless you apply.

Musician, John Fogerty, said it nicely in his hit Centerfield in 1985.

“Oh, put me in, coach, I’m ready to play today

Put me in, coach, I’m ready to play today

Look at me, I can be centerfield”