Solution Engineer Review
at Salesforce
Degree Apprenticeship
Information Technology
London
Review Submitted: May 2023
Overall Rating
4.6 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
4.2/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
As a Solution Engineer, it is our duty to understand, comprehend and then convert our customers' challenges into Salesforce solutions. Through active engagement, such as customer meetings, starting with a 'Discovery' session, we acquire an in-depth understanding of their pain points. Subsequently, we explore and leverage Salesforce technology to ease the customers' challenges effectively.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
Thoroughly! I'm an experienced apprentice, having been on two prior programmes to my career at Salesforce and this could not differ more! The organisation has been exceptional; apprentices are considered FTE (Full Time Employees - you'll learn that we LOVE acronyms) so our workload has been constant and consistent. There are many company benefits that you can leverage to improve your life outside of the office and working hours, so make sure to take advantage of the generous offerings! Working in the city just brings that vibe that other places cannot, the people are wonderful, truly! People will for the most part make or break the enjoyment of you job and at Salesforce you can rest assured that you'll be surrounded by wonderful people from all walks of life.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Absolutely! I grew up as an extremely shy individual and took the opportunity to network, increase my confidence and develop communication skills. Having the benefit of previous work experience, many skills I had already somewhat developed, so my time at Salesforce has very much focused on refining, as opposed to learning. Having said this, I'm still in the very early stage of the apprenticeship and the tougher times are yet to come; I'm confident that I'll have the opportunity to learn new skills in the future!
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
Extremely! I have no complaints at this point in time. As a first year apprentice, you'll be assigned a buddy from the the second or even third year, who will guide you and give you their time once a week/fortnight. Having gotten to know them, they haven't had any complaints either.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
We are provided with a barrage of support. Not only do we have our line manager, you're also provided sideline support from three apprentice managers! Once you roll into your first team, you'll also be assigned a 'team buddy' and you can get support from your new line manager. You can always go to the other apprentices in your cohort (given you have a good relationship) or you can talk to your apprentice buddy's in the years above. Wherever you look, people are ready to support you in any way. Branching beyond the official apprenticeship structure, we have many employee organised support groups and equality groups, such as WISE (Women In Solution Engineering), BOLDforce (Black Organisation for Leadership and Development), Genforce (representing all generations in the workforce) and many more!
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
My main fault with the training provider is that they need to provide more feedback on classwork/coursework. HOWEVER, on the whole, they are a solid training provider, who make sure that all the individuals feel safe, accepted and are dedicated to giving time to the apprentices. They are extremely welcoming and cater as best they can to any needs. A lot of the training has been in online format, but they weigh that up by requiring in-person attendance 40% of the time during module weeks.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
From their point of view, it's hard to adjust the University modules to specifically cater to all apprentices on the course, as we converge from different employers e.g. Salesforce, Deloitte, BBC4, ClearScore. Most of the knowledge we are taught will help us be better in our roles, though not specifically teaching us how to do our jobs better. However, this is a University degree and 90% of University degrees are NOT catered towards a specific role.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
To fully answer this question, would really take me some time, so I'll keep to what comes first to mind. In short, YES. There are professional networking events, there are specifically apprentice events, there are VTO's (Voluntary Time Off - it's like holiday leave, but you spend it volunteering instead), sports events, sports team, social activities, events run by Equality Groups and a whole other myriad of things you can be involved in.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Salesforce to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Salesforce has consistently been a #1 UK workplace and it isn't for no reason. Namely, what I've come to realise is so special, is the PEOPLE. Having done my own research on the company before joining, all I ever read on platforms such as Glassdoor, was how nice everyone was. It just couldn't be true I thought. I've been here now nine months and I'm still yet to encounter someone unpleasant. Everyone is well educated, polite, good at their job, super knowledgeable and approachable.
Of course, Salesforce also comes with its perks - LITERALLY. Without going into detail, there are some extremely generous perks that make you feel part of the Ohana and not just another cog in the wheel.
Working in the London office is a huge privilege, having near unrivaled views of the city and being able to enjoy an Ohana brewed coffee FOR FREE is also a way to be spoilt.
Of course, Salesforce also comes with its perks - LITERALLY. Without going into detail, there are some extremely generous perks that make you feel part of the Ohana and not just another cog in the wheel.
Working in the London office is a huge privilege, having near unrivaled views of the city and being able to enjoy an Ohana brewed coffee FOR FREE is also a way to be spoilt.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Salesforce?
1. Do your research! Like for any interview, you should know the company pretty well. What they do, who the CEO is, what the job you're applying for entails; pretty basic stuff, but many people can't be bothered these days.
2. Rework your CV. Yes, I know it can be tedious, but make sure your CV is up-to-date, do your SPAG check, make sure it looks and reads professionally. Include anything and everything you've done that can be of use (within reason, of course). Make it stand out and be different. Don't be shy.
3. Take time to craft your cover letter. Your cover letter should be different for every company you apply to. It's a way to extend your knowledge and experience, to show your new potential employer that you are the right candidate. Cover letters can make or break your application and they ARE expected with higher roles or roles within bigger/better (subjectively) companies.
4. Be honest. Don't lie or exaggerate - the interviewers are good at their job and will be able to see through any lies, potentially hindering your application! There's nothing wrong with admitting a mistake or a failure. Company's hiring policies are shifting and they're not looking for the perfect candidate (if they even exist). How you come across in regard to self-development, perseverance and most importantly FUTURE POTENTIAL will shift their opinion of you, even if you don't have a certain necessary A-Level, or if your grades were a bit low.
2. Rework your CV. Yes, I know it can be tedious, but make sure your CV is up-to-date, do your SPAG check, make sure it looks and reads professionally. Include anything and everything you've done that can be of use (within reason, of course). Make it stand out and be different. Don't be shy.
3. Take time to craft your cover letter. Your cover letter should be different for every company you apply to. It's a way to extend your knowledge and experience, to show your new potential employer that you are the right candidate. Cover letters can make or break your application and they ARE expected with higher roles or roles within bigger/better (subjectively) companies.
4. Be honest. Don't lie or exaggerate - the interviewers are good at their job and will be able to see through any lies, potentially hindering your application! There's nothing wrong with admitting a mistake or a failure. Company's hiring policies are shifting and they're not looking for the perfect candidate (if they even exist). How you come across in regard to self-development, perseverance and most importantly FUTURE POTENTIAL will shift their opinion of you, even if you don't have a certain necessary A-Level, or if your grades were a bit low.
