Overcoming Setbacks & Finding Success in Salesforce: Margaret Adkins' Journey
Breaking into a new industry is never easy—especially when self-doubt and setbacks get in the way. But for Margaret Adkins , a 5x Salesforce-certified expert, failure wasn’t the end of her journey—it was the beginning of her resilience and growth.
In a recent episode of the Techtonic Podcast , Margaret shared how she transitioned from quality assurance to Salesforce, battled imposter syndrome, and found her place in the Salesforce community.
Here’s what we learned from her inspiring story.
1. Failure Isn’t the End—It’s Part of the Process
Margaret’s road to success was anything but smooth. Like many aspiring Salesforce professionals, she started with the Salesforce Administrator Certification—and failed. Not just once, but eight times.
"Success doesn’t happen without failure. Sometimes it takes a lot of failure to get to that success—but that success is just that much sweeter." – Margaret Adkins
Her persistence paid off. Each failure pushed her to analyze her weak spots, adjust her study strategy, and try again. When the Salesforce Associate Certification was introduced, she passed on her first attempt, giving her the confidence to keep going.
Her experience is a reminder that failure is not a reflection of your potential—it’s part of the learning process.
2. Networking Isn’t Cheating—It’s a Game Changer
Many job seekers feel hesitant about leveraging connections in their job search, seeing it as an unfair advantage. Margaret completely disagrees.
"It’s so often now that job descriptions are completely off the mark from what the actual role entails. If you only apply through job boards, you’re a needle in a haystack."
Networking isn’t about favoritism—it’s about building relationships and making sure hiring managers see your true potential. Instead of waiting for the perfect job posting, Margaret encourages professionals to connect with their community, ask for advice, and let people know they’re looking.
A great way to get started? Join Salesforce Trailblazer Community Groups, where professionals connect online and in person to share insights, job leads, and mentorship opportunities.
3. Soft Skills Matter Just as Much as Technical Skills
Salesforce is a highly technical platform, but Margaret believes that soft skills are often the real key to landing a role.
"Technical skills can be taught. What sets you apart are your problem-solving abilities, communication, and adaptability."
Many professionals undervalue their transferable skills—whether from previous jobs, parenting, or life experiences. As a mother of six, Margaret became a master of logistics, organization, and problem-solving—all skills that translated perfectly into the fast-paced world of Salesforce project management.
The key takeaway? Highlight your unique strengths. Employers aren’t just hiring skills—they’re hiring people.
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4. Job Descriptions Are Wish Lists—Apply Anyway
A common reason people hesitate to apply for jobs? They don’t meet 100% of the qualifications. Women, in particular, are less likely to apply unless they meet every requirement—a trend that Margaret has personally seen play out.
But job descriptions aren’t set in stone.
"One of the most ridiculous ones I saw required five years of experience with a tool that hadn’t even been around that long."
If you meet 60–70% of the requirements and believe you can do the job, apply anyway. The worst thing that can happen is a rejection. The best thing? You land the role.
For more insights on navigating job descriptions and applying with confidence, check out this article from Harvard Business Review.
5. Community Can Shape Your Career
Margaret didn’t just find a job in Salesforce—she found a home in the community.
Her involvement with Salesforce user groups and networking events helped her build connections, stay motivated, and eventually become a leader in the ecosystem. Today, she co-leads the Lexington, Kentucky Salesforce Admins Community Group with her husband, supporting others who are just starting out.
"Being part of a smaller, local group gives you confidence to share your experiences, learn from others, and even start speaking at events."
For anyone trying to grow their Salesforce career, she strongly recommends getting involved—whether through local user groups, Dreamin’ events, or online communities.
If you're looking for virtual groups that focus on diversity, inclusion, and personal growth, check out:
Final Thoughts: Own Your Journey
Margaret’s story is one of persistence, adaptability, and the power of community. Whether you’re struggling with imposter syndrome, hesitant to network, or nervous about applying for roles you don’t feel 100% ready for, her journey proves that growth comes from pushing forward—even when it feels impossible.
So, if you’re on the fence about your next move, take Margaret’s advice:
Network fearlessly. Apply boldly. Keep learning. And never let failure stop you.
Experienced leader in digital transformation, private and public cloud migrations, a fractional CTO, IT strategist, operator, enterprise and data center architect.
2 周Margaret's journey is a powerful reminder that setbacks can lead to growth. Her insights on networking and resilience are invaluable for anyone navigating their career path. I encourage everyone to listen to her story and share your thoughts—let's support each other in our journeys!