vino

Account Executive

Is hospitality-related sales really that different?

I have worked in hospitality for 15+ years and mostly in sales positions. I have worked with every POS and SaaS system under the sun, and I have operated as the decision maker to bring these services on board. I am frequently the "expert" at locations I have worked, training new staff who are unfamiliar with the software.

I have noticed my attempts to enter SaaS sales positions are feeling more and more impossible as the days go on.

My jobs asked me to generate and qualify leads, find key decisions makers, close deals in B2B settings and onboard accounts. Then act as a CRM, maintaining accounts and their satisfaction with my company.

I can barely get a response when applying to new positions, even if the technology is hospitality related.

What is the difference that I am missing, is a professional that has used the systems IRL not the most qualified sales representative?

👑 Sales Strategy

🤝 Networking

7

9 comments

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ChickenWings

Opinionated

1

Tom Callahan's Son

You’re right, it’s mostly bullshit that SaaS companies want to hire from other SaaS companies.

You will find yourself entering a bit of a different world, though. This may be their hesitation.

Give them less things they think they need to teach you.

Try getting on board with one of the platforms you used regularly. Leverage your perspective and experience in using their product IRL.

Also, be ready to set your sights lower than a 15+ year tenured role. You are moving industries.

DungeonsNDemos

Big Shot

0

Rolling 20's all day

Just like with a prospect, if this is a big objection you anticipate facing then actively address it before they bring it up.

Maximas

Tycoon

0

Senior Sales Executive

Exactly!

activity

Politicker

1

VP, Business Development

Sales is sales. If you do a good job of communicating value then it is just learning an industry's framework for selling. A lot of times having a perspective from a different industry helps reps become more creative when transitioning to another industry. When hiring, I like to see multiple industries that a rep has been successful in.

Diablo

Politicker

0

Sr. AE

What helped me get into SaaS - tweak the resume for every job - show your numbers, growth, promotion, tools used etc., network with people, get on a coffee chat. Mere submitting the resume might not help if you coming from other background.

There are so many SaaS solutions for hospitality industry, did you try applying for them?

TennisandSales

Politicker

0

Head Of Sales

No it’s not that different. One thing i tell ppl is you have to use their language.
Annual quota, average deal size (in ARR) average sales cycle length ect these words need to be in the resume.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

0

🦊

No I think you're more talented than quite a few SaaS folks actually. Reach out to hiring managers directly. Change your wording. Keep your mindset strong and confident. Why do they need you? What problem do you solve?

ThatNewAE

Big Shot

0

Account Executive - Mid enterprise

I'll be pretty honest :

Sales IS hospitality! I have never understood what you'd do differently in hospitality / reality / SaaS or any other type of sales.

Companies like to play safe and hire people from the similar / same industries! That's the only reason why they prefer from the same sector.

What might help you:
- Numbers, yes. But perhaps a course certification or so that shows you are well versed with the terminologies and jargons?

- Your resume needs to show that you are well versed with the industry, so you need to talk their language!

Justatitle

Big Shot

0

Account Executive

1.) I worked as a bartender for 8 years while trying to break into tech, I got lucky and got a role as an SDR for a hospitality based SAAS platform.
2.) If I were you, I would look into companies like Toast, Lightspeed, Revel systems for a territory manager and not just apply but also reach out to the hiring managers via linkedin to express why you are interested.
3.) even with experience right now so many reps are looking that anyone hiring is getting blitzed by resume submissions and lost in the noise so it's not so specific to not having experience. You need to figure out how to stand out and as mentioned in point 2 finding the hiring manager and connecting will go miles because 99% won't do that.

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