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Salesforce interview prep

Salesforce Interview Questions: Apex, Limits and Automation

Salesforce interviews cover the data model and security (profiles, permission sets, sharing), Apex triggers and governor limits, SOQL, Lightning Web Components, when to use Flow vs code, integrations, and deployment between sandboxes and production.

Practise with AI Interview PrepSee Salesforce developer resume
  • 15 questions answered
  • Admin and developer
  • Governor limits
  • 1-6 years level

Sample answers

Always mention bulk safety.

Most Salesforce follow-ups test whether your code survives 200 records at once.

Model answers for 4 Salesforce questions

Typical round: platform basics, Apex scenario, LWC or Flow design

Q: How do you write a bulk-safe trigger? A: Use one trigger per object that delegates to a handler class, work on Trigger.new as a collection, query related records once with a Set of IDs outside loops, and do DML once on a list, so it stays within governor limits for 200 records.

Q: Flow or Apex? A: Use Flow for straightforward automation that admins should maintain, such as field updates and simple record creation. Use Apex for complex logic, heavy data volumes, callouts that need fine control, or when performance and testability matter.

Q: Profiles vs permission sets? A: A profile defines a user's base access and every user has one. Permission sets add access on top without changing the profile. The modern approach is minimal profiles plus permission sets and permission set groups.

Q: How do you call an external API from Salesforce? A: Use a Named Credential for the endpoint and authentication, make the HTTP callout in Apex, handle timeouts and errors, and run it asynchronously with Queueable or future methods when triggered from record changes.

What interviewers check

Built for scanners, humans and hiring intent.

  • Apex and triggers

    Bulkification, handler patterns and test coverage show you can write production code.

  • Governor limits

    SOQL, DML and CPU limits, and how you design around them, are asked in every developer round.

  • Security model

    OWD, roles, sharing rules, profiles and permission sets decide who sees what.

  • Automation choices

    Flow vs Apex, and record-triggered vs scheduled automation, show platform judgment.

Examples

Copy the structure, not the wording.

These examples show shape and specificity. Add your own facts, metrics, tools and outcomes.

Platform basics

  • What are governor limits?
  • Lookup vs master-detail relationship?
  • What is OWD?
  • What is a sandbox?
  • Workflow, Process Builder and Flow: what changed?

Apex and LWC

  • before vs after triggers?
  • What are Queueable and Batch Apex for?
  • How do LWC components communicate?
  • What is @wire in LWC?
  • How do you reach 75% test coverage properly?

Scenario questions

  • A data load fails with 'Too many SOQL queries'. Fix it.
  • Sales reps see accounts they shouldn't. What do you check?
  • Sync orders to an ERP in near real time.
  • A Flow is causing recursion. How do you stop it?
  • Plan a deployment from sandbox to production.

Actionable tips

Small edits that lift response rates.

Run through these before every application.

  1. 1Know the limits by heart100 SOQL queries and 150 DML statements per synchronous transaction come up constantly.
  2. 2Explain your trigger frameworkOne trigger per object with a handler class is the expected pattern.
  3. 3Mention current toolsFlow, LWC, Salesforce DX and the newer AI features show you're current.
  4. 4Bring a project storyAn integration or migration you delivered, with numbers, makes answers concrete.
  5. 5Rehearse aloudBrainUp AI Interview Prep runs Salesforce mock interviews with feedback.

FAQ

Common questions, direct answers.

What is Salesforce?

Salesforce is a cloud CRM platform for sales, service, marketing and custom apps, extended with clicks (Flows, configuration) and code (Apex, Lightning Web Components).

What are governor limits?

Runtime limits Salesforce enforces per transaction on a multi-tenant platform, such as 100 SOQL queries and 150 DML statements in synchronous Apex.

What is the difference between lookup and master-detail relationships?

Master-detail is tightly coupled: child records inherit sharing, are deleted with the parent and support roll-up summaries. Lookup is loosely coupled and optional.

What is a trigger in Salesforce?

Apex code that runs before or after record events like insert, update or delete, used for logic that Flow can't handle well.

What is the difference between before and after triggers?

Before triggers modify the triggering records without extra DML. After triggers access system-set values like IDs and work with related records.

What is SOQL?

Salesforce Object Query Language, used to query records from objects, similar to SQL SELECT but specific to the Salesforce data model.

What is Lightning Web Components?

Salesforce's modern UI framework built on web standards, used to build fast, reusable components on Lightning pages and Experience Cloud sites.

What is OWD?

Organisation-Wide Defaults set the baseline record access for each object, such as Private or Public Read Only. Roles and sharing rules then open access further.

Profiles vs permission sets?

Profiles set base access and are required for every user. Permission sets grant extra access and can be combined, which is the recommended approach.

What is Batch Apex?

Asynchronous Apex that processes large data volumes in chunks, each with its own governor limits, implemented with start, execute and finish methods.

What is Queueable Apex?

Asynchronous Apex that supports complex types, job chaining and monitoring, often used for callouts and longer processing after a trigger.

When should you use Flow instead of Apex?

For logic admins can understand and maintain, like field updates, record creation and guided screens. Use Apex for complex, high-volume or highly tested logic.

What is a Named Credential?

A secure setting storing an external endpoint and its authentication so Apex callouts don't hard-code URLs or secrets.

What test coverage does Salesforce require?

At least 75% Apex code coverage across the org to deploy to production, with every trigger having some coverage. Good tests also assert behaviour, not just coverage.

How should I prepare for a Salesforce interview?

Revise the security model and limits, write a bulk-safe trigger and a small LWC, build a Flow, and prepare one integration or automation project story.

Related guides

Keep improving your application.

  • Salesforce Developer ResumePresent clouds, code and certifications.View Salesforce resume →
  • JavaScript Interview QuestionsLWC roles also test JavaScript basics.See JavaScript questions →
  • SAP Interview QuestionsCompare with ERP-platform interviews.See SAP questions →

Practise Salesforce interview answers

BrainUp AI Interview Prep runs platform-specific mock interviews.

Start interview practiceBrowse templates

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