what is salesforce trailhead - complete guide to what is trailhead and how to use it

In this post, you will learn what is salesforce trailhead and how to use it with step by instructions.

What is the trailhead?

In salesforce terms ‘Trailhead is a learning experience platform - online library of educational content that you can access whenever you like. Trailhead is designed around what users need to learn, rather than around what a training department needs to teach’

Basically, salesforce trailhead is a pool of knowledge resources related to the Salesforce ecosystem. Every job role in salesforce has its own content.

Not in Salesforce? Trailhead has its content for the people who are planning to switch their careers to Salesforce. Exciting isn’t it?

If you are reading this article, I guess that you are either planning to switch or starting your career with salesforce and exploring much about trailhead. Well, you are at the right place to explore details around the trailhead.

Trailhead has its own structure which gives a great learning experience to the users. Its content is divided into Trail, modules, and units which are defined below.

Trail:

Trail stands at the top of the learning hierarchy in the trailhead. It is a group of modules.

Module:

Module is a group of units

Unit:

Each unit consists of content on a specific topic with quiz section or hands-on challenge at the end.

Basically, The unit has content on a topic, a group of units makes a module and group of modules make a Trail.

Project

We have a separate section called Project. Each project has multiple units with step by step instructions to achieve certain functionality within the salesforce. You will get hands-on on configuration or development tasks from the projects.

Example: Create a basic lightning app – this project consists of units having step by step instructions to configure or write code. Follow the steps, complete the units, Grab a module badge to your bucket.

Want to know more about badges? 

Trailhead is gamified, with assessments that demonstrate your skills, and badges and points that illustrate your progress. With each unit you complete, you earn points and with completion of each module adds a new badge to trailhead profile.

You can see points and badges at the top right corner in the trailhead portal.

Super badges

Super badges let you take the skills you’ve learned and apply them to complex, real-world business problems.

Points, badges and super badges add value to your online community profiles. In some cases, the interview panel might discuss about these details to evaluate candidates learning interests and expertise.  

Trailmix

Trailmix is a custom learning path you create from your favorite trails, modules, and projects. You can create custom trailmix and share it with your team or public groups.

Example: Consider you got an assignment to make a group of modules, trails, and projects in the trailhead, for example, a group of service cloud topics specific to your team, Salesforce has trailmix feature. Create a new trailmix in the trailhead portal and share it.

Appreciations are on your way! 😊

What is Trailhead playground?

Once you finish reading a unit, there will be a hands-on challenge based on the content, this challenge to be completed in the salesforce application, which is named as a playground. 

Find an option to check the existing playgrounds and to create a new one in the below-mentioned screenshot.

How to access trailhead?

Login to trailhead to access the site and jump start your learning

Trailhead Quests

Salesforce encourages trailblazers to learn more skills rewarding fun prizes. Choose your adventure, follow the rules and enter to win. For more terms and conditions check the Quest section of the trailhead.

I have received a free certification voucher for completing Road to ranger quest. 

Please note that it will be based on a random selection of the completed users. Go through the clear set of terms and conditions mentioned in the quest section of the trailhead. 

Certifications

Salesforce certifications help you to showcase your knowledge levels and also a salary hike in the current role or in your next switch. 

Learn why you should get salesforce certified  

You can find Trailmix in the trailhead to prepare for the certification exams. For example, if you are interested in configuration or admin role and planning to become a salesforce administrator, look for Salesforce certified platform administrator credentials trailmix. All prerequisites are available in the related certified guides. Recommend you to go through the complete details before giving the exam.

Check how to register for salesforce certification exam

Maintain credentials

You should maintain credentials by completing the certification maintenance exams each quarter or with each salesforce major releases. There will be separate modules for the maintenance exam in the trailhead. Complete all the required maintenance exams before the deadlines.

Please note that no fee for maintenance exams and it is mandatory to complete, failing will result in certification expire.  

Verification section

At any point we can cross-check a credential status in the verification section of the trailhead. If you are a recruiter or manager, you can verify the credentials list of any salesforce trailblazer with their Mail Id.

That is it. we have discussed basic features that are required for trailhead beginners as part of this article. Start using the trailhead and explore the complete set of features.

If you already using the salesforce trailhead, share your experience, and also mention if we missed any topic in the comments section below.

Disclaimer: The information shared in this article is for general purposes only. we make no representations for salesforce, neither customer nor partner. All Image credits to trailhead.salesforcce.com. If you have any concerns with the published content in this blog, please share it in the contact section.

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