Is SaaS experience that special?

is it me or is the SaaS field obsessed with people that only have SaaS experience? having a hard time understanding how SaaS experience makes someone special versus any other complex sale (health care, consulting, finance, etc). Asking geniunely, but also irritated at the stick your nose in the air attitude I run into
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antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
9
Bravado's Resident Asshole
I mean, does it really matter? What matters is of you can sell something. As long as you are a learner, then you should be able to have a shot.
mastersfan
Opinionated
0
Account Executive
I also ask as someone whose actively looking for new opportunities and is DQ’d despite 17 years experience in a variety of fields
Pachacuti
Politicker
7
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
It’s not that special but some people think that you can only sell what you have experience selling. Never mind the soft skills of knowing how to prospect, the grit, attitude, etc it takes to be a success. However many gatekeepers (ATSs, HR weenies) have specific instructions to only seek those with specific experience for a job.

My opinion - I can teach you the technology. I can teach you the industry. I can’t teach you work ethic and perseverance. I know that’s not the majority opinion, but I know it to be true.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
3
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Sunbunny31
Politicker
5
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
If you have B2B experience and are comfortable selling technology, SaaS is straightforward. It’s a delivery method. I can see where hiring managers might have a tough time with someone who’s spent their whole career B2C, but other than that, it’s eliminating a whole pool of prospective employees who may have superior skills. Honestly, vertical expertise can carry a lot of weight - you understand the market, the language, what the accounts worry about - all that translates.
mastersfan
Opinionated
0
Account Executive
So true
Notmyrealname
Politicker
4
AE
Saas is full of managers and recruiters that don't understand sales. That's why they hold Saas experience so highly. If they understood the job they'd hold it in less regard. Even though I have Saas experience, if the jd mentions generic savas experience, I usually qualify the job out.
SoccerandSales
Big Shot
3
Account Executive
I think that there are a lot of nuances to the typical buying process that make it easier to hire within Saas, but if you are a quick learner, typically you are fine regardless
mastersfan
Opinionated
2
Account Executive
@Notmyrealname I haven’t been impressed by most of the sales people and managers (intentional word choice), so I’m glad to hear someone else raises their eyebrow at this
Notmyrealname
Politicker
3
AE
Honestly, most of the people I've worked with in saas sales haven't a clue and probably never will. If someone wants industry experience, fair enough, but anytime I see generic saas experience as a requirement I think of an activity-driven, call centre vibe
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
2
Sales Rep
I feel like industry experience is an easy way to talk you down on salary or reject a candidate they dont want to provide honest feedback with
mastersfan
Opinionated
2
Account Executive
Isn’t that the truth
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
1
Sales Rep
I think the level you sell to and the length of a sales cycle is more relevant
mastersfan
Opinionated
1
Account Executive
Agreed
jefe
Arsonist
2
🍁
SaaS is simply a delivery model, but many hiring managers get VERY caught up on candidates having SaaS experience. B2B success is all that's really required.
PineappleYa
Opinionated
1
AE
SaaS is nothing foreign or disparate from any other B2B. Know your product/ the customer/the industry & the person you are selling to.
What I will say can be different is the speed of change/evolution/additional products you may have to be able to digest quickly.

It’s a culture where people try to make it seem elite-but it’s the same skill sets & personality traits as well as just giving a shit that makes someone able to succeed in SaaS.
Rallier
Politicker
1
SDR Manager and Consultant
I'm in Saas. Saas is very pretentious for some reason. It's a bit ridiculous
mastersfan
Opinionated
0
Account Executive
I’m happy I’m not crazy for observing this. What’s been brutal is trying to find my next opportunity. Sadly SaaS is a field that pays well but won’t let anyone in
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