Starting a career in SaaS is one that has become popular due to what the industry has managed to achieve in the past few years.
A career in this industry is one that starts like many do, in an entry-level role. This is typically a Sales Development Representative, starting off at around $60,000.
If you’re looking to start and grow a career in SaaS sales, then here’s where to get started, grow and flourish in what is a highly sought-after industry.
How to Start a SaaS Sales Career
If you’re looking to start a career in SaaS sales, you’ll firstly want to understand the role and the industry itself. Some people enter the industry haven’t not really explored it previously, yet still have great success in this career path. It’s good to know about how these subscription-based models, long sales cycles and high-volume prospecting.
Target Entry-Level Roles
When you’re exploring a career in SaaS, it’s best to target entry-level roles. Focus on SDR or BDR (Business Development Representative) roles that provide rapid and hands-on learning.
Build Your Toolkit
Make sure to familarize yourself with the platforms that are popular within the SaaS industry right now and build up a toolkit that is going to show you’ve got the knowledge and experience to hit the ground running. Popular platforms to be knowledgeable of include Salesforce and HubSpot, for example.
Leverage Transferable Skills
It’s always helpful to highlight your experiences and skills that are transferable within this industry. Experience in retail, customer service or marketing is great for showing communication skills, sales aptitude and resilience.
Network and Apply
Using LinkedIn is one of the best platforms for the purpose of connecting with hiring managers and professionals within the industry.
Key Skills for Success
When looking for SaaS sales jobs, you’ll want to have some key skills that help improve the success of acquiring a job in this field.
Consultative selling
When it comes to consultative selling, you’re focusing on solving customer problems rather than just selling features of the product.
Prospecting, Persistence, and Product Expertise
An understanding of the software is something that can really help to communicate its value effectively. So when you’re going for a job like this, it’s a good idea to know as much about the software you’re looking to work for. The more you know, the more impressed those responsible for hiring internally will be.
Data-Driven Approach
It’s handy to make use of CRM data when working in a career like this one in order to manage your pipeline efficiently and to ensure no potential customer or client is left behind.
Growing Your SaaS Career
To grow in your SaaS career, these final steps are helpful to get you to where you want to be within this career path.
- Master the SaaS sales funnel – Understand every stage from awareness to expansion.
- Focus on customer success – Retaining customers in SaaS and preventing churn is just as important, if not more, than acquiring new ones.
- Seek continuous training – Attend workshops, seek mentorship, and read industry news to help refine your sales techniques.
- Advance to AE/management – Transition from setting meetings to closing deals and eventually managing teams.
If you’re looking to grow within this competitive industry, make use of these tips to help you thrive in this career going forward.
