Johnny Beverton
As Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff proclaimed at launch, AgentForce is "ushering in a new era of AI abundance and limitless workforces that augment every employee, build deeper customer relationships and drive unprecedented growth and profitability."
But does everyone share Benioff’s excitement and what does this mean for hiring managers and professionals in the field?
AgentForce: A Talent Market Disruptor?
Our Head of Salesforce EMEA, Anthony Mussell, recently conducted a poll with our Salesforce community that showed 76% of respondents describe AgentForce as “revolutionary”. This optimism shared by Salesforce architects, developers, consultants, sales professionals and strategic leaders, points to tangible results and in turn a significant shift in Salesforce AgentForce recruitment patterns.
"The enthusiasm for AgentForce is really building in the market," Anthony elaborates. "We are speaking with current and new customers daily who are building their strategy around it and asking what we are hearing in the market. However, it's crucial to understand that this excitement comes with its own set of challenges. Ultimately, while AI is generating a lot of buzz, it ultimately needs to make business sense."
Addressing Adoption Challenges
AgentForce has certainly got people talking, but in our conversations with professionals, it's not all been positive. There's excitement, sure, but alongside that are worries about the price tag, how it'll actually work in practice, and whether there are enough people out there who know how to use it.
For organisations thinking about AgentForce, there’s a real balancing act. The 24% of poll respondents we spoke to had questions about whether it’s worth the expense, the quality of the data it produces, its compatibility with existing systems, and whether they can find staff with the right skills for AgentForce hiring.
As Anthony put it, "it's important to focus on getting their data right, having good internal processes, and building expertise within their own teams, instead of just bringing in outside help."
These challenges, however, open doors. Professionals skilled in AI integration, data governance, and change management are in a good position. Companies that can effectively address these issues stand to gain a real advantage, making these skills highly sought after in the Salesforce jobs market.
Driving Demand for Specialised Skills
The market response to Salesforce AgentForce highlights growing demand for specific skills. "What we're finding is that companies wanting to get the most out of AgentForce will need regular Architects and Developers to implement but, more interestingly, we've seen a key focus on people being able to link Business, Commercial and Technology together," Anthony explains.
The AgentForce revolution is also spurring a focus on reskilling and upskilling Salesforce teams. Anthony emphasises, “Success requires two things: training existing staff and finding new recruits." Organisations are investing heavily in upskilling programmes, recognising their existing workforce needs to grow alongside the technology.
The Path Forward: Specialist Recruitment in the AgentForce Era
Salesforce AgentForce isn't just a new piece of tech; it has the potential to shift the talent market. For both those hiring and Salesforce professionals, this means taking stock of current skills, planning for AI adoption, and aligning hiring accordingly.
It’s a competitive climate though, and specialist recruiters are invaluable for filling complex roles. At Empiric, our niche expertise and extensive network position us uniquely to assist businesses in tackling AI adoption challenges. Understanding these changes and knowing where to find the right expertise will be key for both businesses and individuals looking to succeed with AI. As things progress, specialist recruiters will play a vital role in connecting the right people with the right opportunities.
As Anthony points out, "AgentForce will only work if companies build the right teams to handle AI in business. AI isn’t new to Salesforce but the competition for talent will be fierce in the market over the coming years when adoption starts to build. Businesses will need to choose between upskilling internal talent or utilising a network of external talent partners.”
Our dedicated Salesforce team can advise on competitive compensation and benefits packages and can also help match candidates with specific organisational needs, considering cultural fit and long-term potential with the ultimate aim of helping businesses attract and retain top AI talent.
Whether you're seeking to advance your Salesforce career or build a leading AI-enabled Salesforce team for 2025 and beyond, visit our capabilities page and connect with Anthony on LinkedIn to learn how Empiric can help you stay ahead of the curve in AgentForce recruitment.
