Bring Your Sales Career into the AI Era: Agentforce and the Account Executive Role at Salesforce

When Tam Watts set out to find her next opportunity, she wasn’t just looking for a job — she was searching for a company where she could grow, make an impact, and bring her full self to work. She found that at Salesforce.

“What drew me into Salesforce was the commitment to excellence,” Tam says. “I wanted to be a part of a company where I could be loud and proud about my family, which is essentially the place that I work.”

Now, as a Talent Advisor and Recruiter for Agentforce Account Executive roles, Tam is helping to bring in top sales talent from around the world and ensuring that Salesforce continues to be a place where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

We asked Tam to share her insights and perspective from hiring hundreds of sales professionals about what is most important to know when applying at the #1 AI CRM:

Understand the Difference Between an Agentforce Account Executive and a Salesforce Account Executive

Tam advises that the first step of the process — identifying which role to apply for — can be the most important, but also the most daunting. When reviewing open opportunities, a traditional Salesforce Account Executive and a Salesforce Agentforce Account Executive (AE) can appear similar, but the differences lie in the scope and depth of their responsibilities.

Which do you submit your application to? Tam has the answers:

“Our Agentforce AEs possess a multifaceted skill set that combines both sales expertise and technical aptitude. They are well-versed in not only the sales process but also in technical pre-sales activities such as conducting presentations, demos, answering RFPs, and conducting white-boarding sessions. They have a deep understanding of technical AI concepts like retrieval augmented generation, machine learning, fine-tuning, and grounding. This allows them to effectively communicate how these technologies can be implemented to build ideal solutions for our unique customers’ industries to more technical audiences. Agentforce AEs bridge the gap between solutions engineering and sales, offering a comprehensive approach that includes both technical and sales expertise.

“On the other hand, our traditional Account Executives are highly knowledgeable about their industry and have a solid playbook of sales skills; their primary responsibility is to understand client needs and provide tailored Salesforce solutions without delving into the specifics of AI and other advanced technical concepts. While they use Agentforce tools and are trained to leverage these resources in their day-to-day, their role does not require the same level of technical depth.”

Ready to take your sales career to the next level? Check out our open opportunities now.

You can be a highly successful seller at Salesforce, with or without a deep technical background. Identify which role is best suited to your strengths, and remember:

Salesforce Provides the Tools and Support to Help You Succeed

With over 17 years in recruiting, Tam knows that real career growth happens when employees have the right support and opportunities. That’s exactly what Salesforce provides.

“At Salesforce, you’re not just filling a role; you’re stepping into a space where every voice is heard and where innovation thrives,” Tam explains. “The opportunities to learn, develop skills, and take on new challenges are everywhere.”

Salesforce sets its employees up for success with mentorship programs, leadership development, and AI-driven career tools. Sellers, in particular, benefit from industry-leading onboarding and innovative technology that helps them thrive.

Not sure where to start when it comes to agentic AI? Here’s a launching point.

Agentic AI Is Transforming Sales — and Early Adopters Will Thrive

Salesforce is redefining the sales landscape through its shift into an AI-powered, agent-first company. Agentforce isn’t just another AI tool — it’s a complete digital labor platform that changes how work gets done. It also gives anyone who uses it a front-row seat to innovation.

“Being part of an agentic enterprise means we’re a part of a new wave of technology,” Tam explains. For Account Executives (AEs), this means automating routine tasks, managing sales activities more efficiently, receiving lead insights directly in Slack, and collaborating seamlessly across teams.

“If we're capable of working smarter rather than harder, our sales teams are able to drive better results,” Tam says. “Salesforce has created a new standard for success. AI no longer just works for us — it works alongside us."

Learn more about how sellers are using Agentforce at Salesforce.

Stand Out as a Candidate in 3 Ways

For those looking to take their career to the next level, Tam has three key pieces of advice:

1. Network and Show Up: “Oftentimes, opportunities come from simply showing up. Get involved with networking groups, attend events, and build relationships.”
2. Leverage Salesforce’s Career Tools: “Trailhead allows you to focus on courses and modules to build in-demand technical skills and achieve AI certifications. Don’t forget about your soft skills, either. Communication is key in sales roles.”
3. Be Ready to Shine: “If you're ready to speak about how the responsibilities and requirements of the job align to your direct experience, you're going to allow that experience to shine through.”

Want more tips from sales recruiters like Tam? Look no further.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Salesforce is growing, and there has never been a better time to join. Whether you’re an experienced sales professional or looking to break into the industry, the opportunities here are endless.

“Agentforce is changing the game for businesses and sales professionals alike. If you want to be at the forefront of innovation, this is the place to be,” Tam says. “This company truly invests in its people.”

Are you ready to start the agentic era of your sales career? Explore open roles at Salesforce today and be part of the future of AI-powered selling.