Salesforce admins are one of the most in-demand jobs in the Salesforce ecosystem. As an admin, you are responsible for many important tasks, such as maintaining the platform by fixing bugs, making reports, and teaching users how to use it.
Because you have so much to do, you want to make sure you are ready to do a good job. While you’re interviewing for a new administrative job, you can learn more about the company and the role you might be taking on. Here is a list of the best questions you can ask a potential employer in your next interview, broken down by topic, along with some tips on how to read their answers. Please note that I didn’t include more information for every question.
     1. Will the previous admin help with my onboarding process (if still with the company)? .
Even if this isnât your first Salesforce admin job, every companyâs Salesforce environment is unique. Get an idea of how much help you’ll get in your first few weeks or months on the job, as well as what the onboarding process is like.
  2.  Is the admin expected to implement new business processes, communicate them, and train?
Business analysts who work with Salesforce often work closely with administrators. They help companies improve their processes and efficiency in Salesforce by gathering, documenting, and analyzing needs related to business problems.
If a company doesn’t have a business analyst on staff, they might ask the administrator to do business analysis as part of their job. Before you take the job, it’s a good idea to know if these duties will be yours.
A Salesforce administrator may find it helpful to work with Salesforce Consultants or System Integrators (SIs). This is especially true if the administrator and their team are working on a big Salesforce project. If you hire someone from outside your company to work with your Salesforce organization, you should make sure they are reliable and know what they’re doing.
  6. What are the top projects/priorities you are looking for this position to tackle in the next year?.
Salesforce enables companies to grow their business through large-scale, transformational projects. Some examples of this are setting up a new organization for a new business division, moving data from one organization to another, and integrating third-party apps.
Find out if any of these projects are coming up at the company you’re interviewing with and what your part would be in helping to run them.
If the company doesn’t already use Salesforce, getting them to do so can be a big part of the job. Ask your interviewer what they think the obstacles are. You can also ask what kind of training and enablement processes they have in place for new users.
   9. Who is the decision maker when it comes to Salesforce changes? Â
One of the most important jobs of an administrator is to handle user requests for changes and make changes to Salesforce based on what the business needs. Without a process in place, change management can be very time-consuming and inefficient. Try to find out the basics of their change management process.
This job can be in marketing, sales, or IT, depending on the size and structure of the business. Find out what team the admin is on and who else is on it, no matter who they report to. You can also find out how the business teams in the company talk to each other using Salesforce, since you will need to have a point of contact in each.
So you have an OwnBackup interview coming up. Congratulations on making it to the next step!
Landing a job at one of the fastest growing data backup and recovery companies requires preparation. In this comprehensive 1899 word guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to ace your OwnBackup interview, including:
- Background on OwnBackup
- Overview of the interview process
- Most common interview questions with sample answers
- Tips for preparing and practicing
- Questions to ask the interviewer
- Following up after the interview
Let’s get started on making sure this exciting role is within your reach!
About OwnBackup
Founded in 2015, OwnBackup is a leading software-as-a-service (SaaS) data backup and recovery solution for apps like Salesforce, Slack, and ServiceNow OwnBackup protects critical cloud data by capturing and storing daily backup snapshots
With over 250 employees and $240 million in funding, OwnBackup serves thousands of clients globally across healthcare, technology, financial services, manufacturing, and professional services. The company culture is fast-paced, collaborative, and dynamic.
What to Expect in the Interview Process
The OwnBackup interview process typically follows these key steps
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Initial phone screen (30 mins) – A recruiter will assess your basic skills, experience and salary expectations.
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Technical interview (60 mins) – You’ll be asked in-depth questions to evaluate your hands-on abilities. Brush up on technologies like SQL, scripting, APIs, etc.
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Manager interview (60 mins) – The hiring manager will assess your leadership potential and cultural fit.
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Final interview (60 mins) – You’ll meet with executives to showcase your strategic thinking and communication skills.
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Reference and background check – OwnBackup will conduct a standard verification of your background and references.
Throughout the process, OwnBackup looks for candidates who are technically skilled, creative problem solvers, collaborative, and passionate about the product and mission.
Most Common Interview Questions and Answers
Let’s look at some of the most frequently asked questions and high-quality answers to help you prepare:
Q: What interests you about working in data backup and recovery?
A: Data loss poses a huge risk for companies today. I’m excited by OwnBackup’s mission to protect critical cloud data through an innovative platform. I’m drawn to working on cutting-edge technology that solves real-world problems for customers.
Q: How do you stay up-to-date on the latest developments in SaaS, data security and backup technology?
A: I make a habit of reading industry publications like TechCrunch daily. I also participate in relevant LinkedIn groups and have Google Alerts set up to receive notifications on new innovations or security issues related to SaaS platforms. I’m committed to continuous learning.
Q: How would you explain OwnBackup’s products and value proposition to a prospect with no technical background?
A: I would explain that OwnBackup acts like an “undo button” for cloud data, allowing businesses to recover from data loss quickly. I would emphasize how OwnBackup can save companies from catastrophic data disasters through daily backups and rapid restoration tools. I would use simple, intuitive analogies to describe the technology.
Q: Tell me about a time you successfully translated a complex technical concept into simple, easy-to-understand language.
A: When creating training materials for new customer support reps on our software, I had to explain intricate parts of our platform’s architecture and backend processes. I used metaphors, examples and analogies that compared our technology to things people use daily, like cars and phones. The training was a huge success and learner feedback showed the materials were clear and comprehensive.
Q: This role requires managing multiple priorities and projects. Describe your approach.
A: In fast-paced environments, I use tools like Asana to organize tasks and deadlines across projects. I touch base with managers regularly to re-prioritize if needed. I break large assignments into milestones and find opportunities to automate repetitive tasks. I also set aside time for strategic thinking rather than getting overwhelmed in the weeds. This helps me effectively manage multiple priorities.
With preparation, you’ll be ready to demonstrate your technical expertise and passion for the company’s mission.
How to Prepare for the Interview
Here are some tips to help you get ready:
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Practice explaining technical concepts – Use analogies and examples to describe OwnBackup’s technology simply.
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Review the leadership principles – Understand the core values that guide the company’s culture.
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Research the interviewers – Personalize your responses based on their backgrounds and interests.
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Rehearse stories – Prepare concrete examples of initiatives or challenges from your past experience.
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Anticipate questions – Brainstorm likely interview questions and practice answering them aloud.
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Prepare smart questions – Develop thoughtful questions that show your interest in the company’s goals.
Preparing thoroughly will instill confidence heading into the interviews.
Questions to Ask the Interviewer
The interview is also a chance for you to assess whether the role and company are a good fit. Prepare some strategic questions such as:
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How do you see this role and the department evolving over the next few years?
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Can you describe the top priorities for this position in the first 6 months?
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What are the characteristics of your top performers on the team?
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What opportunities are there for professional development and mentorship?
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What excites you most about OwnBackup’s future?
Asking smart questions demonstrates your engagement and interest in making meaningful contributions.
Following Up After the Interview
Stand out by taking time to follow up. Make sure to:
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Send thank you notes to each person who interviewed you within 24 hours. Make them personalized.
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Connect on LinkedIn with your interviewers and introduce yourself to the team.
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Check in if you don’t hear back after 1 week. Reiterate your interest in the role.
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Request feedback if you receive a rejection so you can improve for next time.
With preparation and practice, you’ll be ready to impress your OwnBackup interviewers. Show them your technical expertise, problem-solving abilities and passion for the company’s innovative products. Use the advice in this guide to confidently answer questions and follow up effectively. You’ll prove you have what it takes to succeed in this exciting opportunity. Good luck!
Own: Every admin’s secret weapon
If youâre an admin looking to protect your new companyâs Salesforce org, Own (formerly OwnBackup) can help. As the #1 backup and restore independent software vendor (ISV) on the Salesforce AppExchange, we provide automated backups and rapid recovery of SaaS data. Get started.
Submit your details and we will contact you shortly to schedule a custom 25-minute demo.
Submit your details and we will contact you shortly to schedule a custom 25-minute demo.
Gina MarquesDirector, Enterprise Applications, Own Company
Gina Marques is the Director of Enterprise Applications at Own, managing over 30 business applications. Her passion is Salesforce administration and community, as a Salesforce MVP and Community Group Leader. She has over 20 years experience in solving business problems with technology. Tagged.
Career opportunities and growth
 13. Will you cover the cost of certificates/training?
 14. What are your KPIs for this role and progression/reward structure?
Itâs a best practice for Salesforce admins to get certified. In addition to enhancing your knowledge of the platform, it also opens you up to a higher salary. Check with your boss to see if they will pay for the certification and/or give you time off to study and take the test.
Just like with any other job, find out if there are any ways you can move up in the company. Salesforce offers many career paths for admins, including business analyst, developer, and many others.
 15. What does your tech stack look like?
Try and get a sense of what integrations are already in place with Salesforce. This will show you what other systems you might need to know about and give you a general idea of the technical landscape.
 16. Are you on Lightning? If not, what is your migration plan?
Most groups have already switched to Lightning, which is Salesforce’s newest platform version that came out in 2019. To move their company from Classic to Lightning, which can be a difficult task, you will likely be in charge of the project.
 17. What is your orgâs score?
A quick way to gauge what challenges a Salesforce org has is its health score. There may be other things to think about, but an organization’s health score is a quick and easy way to see how well it is doing compared to the ones you may soon be in charge of.
 18. What is your permission structure like?
 19. How many people have admin rights?
You should find out what you’re getting into, even if your interviewer doesn’t feel comfortable telling you this. It is very dangerous to use custom profiles that have “Modify All Data” permissions because users can lose or change data by accident. Having more than one “System Admin” profile could also lead to unauthorized changes that make it hard to manage your Salesforce data.
 20. What is your backup strategy for Salesforce?
When it comes to losing data, Salesforce administrators are usually the ones who have to fix it. Having a backup plan can save an admin hours, days, or even weeks of work after something goes wrong. Owner has a lot of customers who tell us that when they were looking for their next admin job, the company had to offer a backup and recovery solution.
