Hi. My name is Jobelle Belgar and I'm a full-time Salesforce System Administrator/Product Owner for Melita Group.

How did you get started with Salesforce?

So I graduated in 2016 with a degree in Electronics Engineering. I wasn't able to practice engineering because I did not have time to study and take the licensure exam in the Philippines because I'm a breadwinner and I needed to support and provide for my family as soon as I could. So after graduation, I immediately applied to different jobs, and guess what, I landed a role as a Salesforce Tech Support Engineer. 

I went to a six-month boot camp, and took my first three certifications in that same year. And there, I saw not just one but multiple opportunities for career growth in Salesforce. And the rest is history.

What were your goals when starting?

So if we're talking about life goals, to be honest, I just wanted to retire before I reached 40 and just enjoy life. But as per my Salesforce career journey, my main goal is to grow because with growth, I can provide value to my employer and its employees and clients. And if I'm able to provide value, then I'll earn more bucks to fund my life goal.

How do you keep motivated?

To keep myself motivated, I create a plan. For example, I list down all the certifications that will be relevant to the role that I want to do. I set the date for when I will take the exams. So I then create a study plan. Also, this is important, I make sure that I integrate my work and my personal life because you know, your loved ones can sometimes give you energy to work on your goals even when demotivated.

Would you say that your 6 certifications affected your career in a positive way?

For me, certifications are a proof of my competency and a tangible result of my efforts, years of experience, and learning. So the certifications add to my confidence. Of course being certified does not end with just passing the exam. Being a certified Salesforce professional entails that I should continuously gain knowledge and contribute to the success of my organization and its clients by using my learnings to leverage Salesforce.

For what certification/s did you use Focus on Force for?

I did use Focus on Force when I studied for Service Cloud Consultant and Business Analyst. With Focus on Force's Service Cloud and Business Analyst study guides and practice exams, I was able to pass the certification with flying colors.

Between the Service Cloud Consultant and Business Analyst certification exams, which was the harder of the two?

For me, it was Service Cloud because there were specific features or tools that you needed to know in order to pass the exam. Unlike Business Analyst, I did have a short experience doing business analysis so that's why it was easier for me.

What advice do you have for those preparing for their own Salesforce certifications?

I want to share just four points — very short and brief advice. So first, do not overthink. Second, always choose the best answer. Third, learn the concept and its applications. And last but not the least, use Focus on Force.