How I went from a $45,000 to $110,000 salary (and you can too)

[@anands8511]

You are a great inspiration for many. My career has progressed from Salesforce QA lead to Developer and the current position of Architect. One of the main reason for that is your inspiring Apex Academy videos! Thanks a lot David!

[@arturjsf]

Very good speech. I liked to hear your story and how you got your chance. I have 3yrs of expecience on SF and by 1 month ago I was stagnating on my company. I was on a position that I really needed to leave my confort zone. And I did it ;). I left the company. Now I have a better salary, I am learning more about Salesforce and I am on my way to my 2nd certification.

[@BronwynAlexandriaa]

This is excellent advice - i am beyond intrigued by sales force, CRM and SQL - so i am beginning my path right now. Currently interviewing for a position in CRM that uses Braze and it starts at 70k. I have never used salesforce a day in my life but i am hungry when it comes to this job and this industry. I think I finally found my niche.

[@CarlosGaviriaM]

How did it go for you? What lessons could you share with the rest of us?

[@richerd8316]

Why did you stop posting? Your content is great. I just went from being a sales rep to completely taking over the salesforce org at my job. Doing exactly what you described! Working my ass off on my own time! I hope I can still replicate your path now.

[@dvdkliu]

Thank you Richard!!!!! Hoping to have more content soon 😁

[@sherylj8881]

I was headed over to Trailhead to work on completing my Admin training when I stumbled across your video. This is exactly what I needed to hear! Thank you so much for this video and encouragement.

[@staymotivatedstaymoving6259]

hows it going?

[@jaypandey3270]

Thanks for sharing all these with people like us. When you speak, you speak from your heart. You are truly motivating a lot of people like me. God Bless.

[@adamdittrichone]

Thanks for sharing your story. This gives me the motivation to leave my old career path and use my skills I’ve learned their to new adventures. Example: i came from a project Management in the live Entertainment background. Turning into agile Project Management, Digital Transformation, Cloud/Digital Consultant. My communication skills in the live event industry (e.g Talking to artists) I can now use to talk to e.g developers, clients, CEOs

[@carlosrangel6359]

Geez man, that really hurts, I’m in that exact position and trust me I will definitely follow your advice, thanks!!

[@TheChillFly]

Sales jobs are trash. I literally felt this way and decided to leave the company and in the process of getting my salesforce certs. Thanks for the vid and reassurance that Im doing everything right

[@willa.3416]

I wish I could like this more than one time! Salesforce admin here I come!

[@dvdkliu]

Cheers!

[@goutamchandnani2174]

I am watching this video in 2024! studying in 4th year of my bachelors degree interested in salesforce, this really motivated me.

[@Sammoab]

Man I feel this. I was on what I thought was a good career path and then my company was acquired. I was kept on but despite a bunch of promises I was relegated to an entry level job with a team of people who don't even have a third of the qualifications, education and experience. Now I don't feel like I have a way out. I don't have any hard skills. I saw a job posting for an SF admin and despite not having any qualifications the light bulb came on. Then I started looking for more info. I've been watching your videos. I'm going to reach out to my company's SF team to see if I can start doing projects for them and I'm going to start doing some study on Trailhead. Thanks for posting this video. Quite honestly I believe this might be my only way out of the situation I'm in. Thank you!

[@Bluebubblez7094]

Thank you for sharing your story!!! You are empowering men to go after what they want and what they ultimately need!

[@Siddharthsma]

I hope I'm as lucky as you. I've been working really hard on my Salesforce skills ever since I got into this area about a year ago. I'm 8 certs down now and pushing really hard to become a great developer. I know I've still got some way to go but hopefully I can get there soon.

[@dvdkliu]

Good luck man!

[@jessemartinez3667]

@@dvdkliu who was the recruiter you used or company what is the best way to find one specifically like the one that you used?

[@dvdkliu]

I used Hire On Demand

[@smritisharan-sfdcamplified]

Thanks a lot for tips. Can you create a video to tell the journey of how you became MVP, and later earned golden jacket. There are many good salesforce developers around but how you strategized to earn brand name for yourself in Salesforce Industry ?

[@kdot713]

Thanks for the video. All great tips. Its so hard to find a good recruiter. Most I've come across would ghost me.

[@somenothing7914]

wow, u seem very cool nd humble dude. thats awesome tho, very happy for you, nd thanks once again 4 tha knawledge

[@dvdkliu]

Appreciate it!

[@myboyjasper]

David - you are the MAN!!!! Keep on rocking...

[@scottlee600]

Great video, David. I had a very similar story. I rejected a job for $25 an hour with a short-term contract, waited a little longer, and then landed a $60k offer when I had started at less than $30k. At the time, that was more money than I could imagine since I had been living off less than $16 an hour with some side gigs. People tend not to believe you when you tell them that these steps are repeatable, and that's sad when that happens.

[@amineroula]

Thank you for your videos David,

[@mirandamoonilal1106]

Always a great story teller! ;-)

[@lisawilson105]

Easy to see you live in California if a person can make double flipping burgers than we do in my state. At first: I dealt bad our wages were so low. But now: I see our quality of life is better because our cost of living matches our low wages. I make $15 an hour. The same person in the same position at the same corporate firm in California make $29 an hour. Yes. Double the wage. (They probably take home the same amount I do) lol

[@dvdkliu]

Very true!!!

[@unaebella]

Thank you for sharing David! Big fan of your site!

[@missdesireindependance5194]

Thanks for the meetup tip!

[@seongwon226]

hahahah you are so funny mate! real lessons learnt with great humor

[@dvdkliu]

Thx!!

[@abyvoxcajon9059]

David ya connect with many working on shaping skills 😇😇

[@abyvoxcajon9059]

Thanks to you David it's your inspiration that's from a Success Agent I am a Salesforce Consultant now. But there is more to come. 😇😇

[@Timtimzi]

That's interesting that a recruiter was able to land you 6 figs from 45k. Are you saying that it could've been more if you went out and found the job yourself since they took a 20% cut?

[@dvdkliu]

If I was as good a negotiator as them, yes.

[@uchennaossi8391]

Nice!!! Inspiring story bro. Thanks for sharing!

[@kvsai5873]

Hi David, You are awesome!

[@lmlmlmlm7627]

Omg! You are so funny!!!

[@masoodjamily]

Hello and thanks. I am currently getting ready for my admin certification and working on my super badges. I’m nervous and sometimes just gets confusing but I’m hopeful and looking forward to this career change

[@johnnylight76]

Awesome tip

[@erichoung1139]

"Hi my name is David, and I'm also an upcoming KZbinr." Yeeeee son

[@erichoung1139]

@@dvdkliu Yessir! :)

[@cmartell123]

Good stuff man

[@slinkychoco15]

This speaks to my soul. Thank you for the continued motivation!

[@ramielkady938]

Your videos are awesome. They are as entertaining as they are informative. I am a senior BA who knows how to code and do it well too. I make very decent money in my current job. But, I want to earn more money by taking occasional jobs on Upwork. SFDC vs Java back end is my question. Is it too late to jump on the SFDC bandwagon. Will I be better off with Java - coding in Java guarantees to erect a barrier to keep supply on check. Thanks

[@biswajitsamantaray3117]

Hey David.. Be honest.. How many certifications did you have when your Recruiter made negotiations on your behalf to back you up 👆

[@dvdkliu]

I had 5 or 6. Back then there were only 7 certs total, I basically had them all.

[@joshgallemore3593]

Subscribed!! Great video man. Is there any advice or input you can give someone who is currently in the military and would like pursue a career as a salesforce dev. Which phase do u see 4 years from now for a dev??

[@rakeshelishanie3308]

You are awesome 👍

[@yashasvitalwar4246]

Can you plz share link of the recruiter who helped you find your current job?

[@amineroula]

I was contacted by a recruiting company, they told me they will train me in Salesforce and find me a job as an entry level Salesforce developer and I will be bind to them for 3 years. They said the salary will be from 50k to 60k, even-though I have 6 years sql server experience. What do you think?

[@oleeejek]

Thank you for sharing your story, it's very inspiring! I'm looking for my first salesforce job right now. Can you recommend a good salesforce recruiter? thanks :)

[@dvdkliu]

Try to find one that specializes in your location!

[@oleeejek]

​@@dvdkliu I forgot to mention that I live in Portland area, haha. I will try to find somebody here. And if you can recommend somebody in this area, or on the west coast (since many jobs are remote now), I would really appreciate it.

[@dvdkliu]

Check out your local user groups to see if any recruiters have been sponsoring them, would be a good place to start !

[@oleeejek]

@@dvdkliu Ok, I will. Thank you!

[@thetemiabiona]

Thanks a lot for sharing David. This is inspiring.

[@somenothing7914]

no doubt

[@MakarkinPRO]

Cool! Thx for sharing!!

[@janrasmussen8144]

guess we have to move to the US to get that kind of salary :P europe is WAY behind with half the salary...IF you are lucky !!

[@DaveRider719]

Europe will follow, salesforce is growing fast :-)

[@carlosreinoso5846]

great

[@johnnylight76]

Senior year. Wow

[@babyblue7798]

well , why make 200k 300k, or even 400k when you can make unlimited USD. Do not dream, WORK! yes, work on your ideas, inventions, whatever! No human was bornt with more worth than we all humans are. WE CAN ALL FULFILL OUR DESIRES , ONLY IF WE WORK HARD AT IT! Please notice that i said desires, not dreams!

[@ProteinSheik808]

Where can you find a recruiter online?

[@missdesireindependance5194]

Try LinkedIn!

[@churchgest]

How long does the recruiter take that 20% one year?

[@churchgest]

@@dvdkliu sounds like a great deal to me

[@ghostbalo]

One off intro fee for introducing the candidate to the client

[@NoHandle690]

You’re funny 👍😁

[@johnnylight76]

Too scared to be real?

[@GirlSmotheredToDeath]

Being real has never gotten people to the places they want to be. "If a society doesn't not reward honesty, it should not expect honest intentions."

[@Will-if7wp]

I am so thankful for learning about Salesforce. In one year my whole life has changed because of it and I have no intentions of slowing down.

[@naveenantz29]

hey I just got placed as a sales force developer and I am fresher. where do u think I should start in sales force to improve my knowledge so i can shine in my work?? Thank you

[@kafuidumor1179]

How did you start?

[@naveenantz29]

@@kafuidumor1179 I am starting as an salesforce dev and my firm has asked me to learn both admin skills as well as dev skills . I am using trailblazers to up my skills , am I goin through the right path ? should I approach this differently?

[@kafuidumor1179]

@@naveenantz29 thanks, you re on track

[@shagil6445]

@@naveenantz29 bro from where u learn Salesforce offline or online or with someone's help ?

[@rdailyhadith9791]

Now it is illegal for employers to ask for your salary history. So, in today's world, you could have made the jump directly from 45K in your previous job to 90K in your new job.

[@renojohn1]

Agree a recruiter can do wonders when it comes to find those hidden non published job requirements ( there are plenty and they work directly with hiring manager) and salary negotiations.

[@Jerryttoxx]

Thanks for sharing bro, you really rock, you really motivate me, keep that humility

[@dvdkliu]

Thank you!

[@rohann5116]

What are your thoughts on sales careers in tech, and the Edit opportunities they have after? Working as a BDR i too send spam emails, but companies like sales force do highly value sales people and they have a solidly career track. I guess you weren’t working in sales, just some “spammy role”?

[@Schang75]

Another awesome vid. That 2 for 2 today. Will need to continue watching and getting some more helpful tips. Thanks.

[@brooklynforever1990]

Love the transparency this is a very familiar tale.

[@IgiveyouNONE]

Really inspiring David. However, I think it really depends also on the location where you live. In my place you just can't jump from 45$k to 110$k in a matter of such a short time.

[@Azukayoshi]

Dude I thought it was a hair on my screen thanks to you lmao Cheers for the picture XD

[@WeDntKno]

Just like everyone here in the comments, I am in this particular situation. Working a job that will be soon be in decline or taken over automation, and not being paid well. I have already asked for a raise but it was just a dollar, and wasn't enough. I will try my best and work hard to get all the certifications and experience in salesforce even though I have no IT or CS degree. Thanks for the motivation I really appreciate it!

[@dvdkliu]

Cheering for ya. =)

[@habetamudesta6894]

Thanks for sharing your story!

[@BoredBricks]

You made $110k even with the split with the recruiter?

[@dvdkliu]

Yup!

[@monday884]

Hi David please help. I am from South Africa, Communicatioms graduate really want to grow at salesforce and go for a better career path.

[@dvdkliu]

Yes! That's mostly what I talk about on my channel! You can be great in a South Africa!!

[@monday884]

@@dvdkliu thank you. Saving all your videos

[@Emsee88]

Hey David, What do you think of the Salesforce trailhead programs? Did they help you? How did you approach and or present yourself to the recruiter?

[@dasiff2391]

thank for your thoughts😊

[@dvdkliu]

Cheers!

[@sherrysimon4361]

Is that story inspired by real life experience ? The one which was used to illustrate the importance of pouncing on opportunities. About how you're sitting next to the girl you like ;) Just kidding. I love your method of story telling. Keep going at it. Videos FTW !!

[@xixiaofin]

Good content as usual. The more salary you earn the more the company pays attention to you. A matter of fact :)

[@soumyaaich5853]

one of greatest worries of any person is Career growth... Thanks a ton David for all the relevant advice to develop the career path and Most important to give us the believe that shaping it and moving towards the right direction is each individual determination..🙂🤘

[@salesforcequrat]

Thank you for a new perspective. Please keep at making videos they are even better than your fantastic blogs.

[@AJAYPATILAM]

Thank you David.great video...

[@YatharthBhatnagar]

Your story is really motivating! You are my role model :)

[@VishalYadav-cv2fj]

Thanks a lot sir @@))

[@bangbangtothemoon23]

Great video! Question, other than Mason Frank, are there any other Salesforce recruiting companies out there that are good?

[@bangbangtothemoon23]

@@dvdkliu Thanks for the quick response David! I'm gonna check them out.

[@JGplayer501]

Thank you!!!!!

[@shaswatsinha8095]

3:27 Man! that was heavy!

[@lupegarrido9865]

👏👏