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miguelnelson

Business Development Representative

Contributor
Fire Starter
Member

Is SaaS too saturated?

Trying to make the jump from being a nearly 3-year outbound BDR at mid-stage start ups but it seems near impossible to land an AE position without AE experience.


Should I try to get a full-cycle position outside of software sales? I'm guessing there is much more saturation in aaS than in more traditional sales roles, so I thought it might be a good idea to broaden my horizons, get some experience, then come back into software sales down the road?


I'm trying to think of anything to avoid being a BDR again. Would love any advice, thank you.

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11 comments

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NoToBANT
Catalyst
7
Senior Account Executive
Agree with punishedlad, you’re going to hurt your chances by leaving SaaS

I would ask your current Company the path to AE
jefe
Arsonist
5
🍁
This is definitely the thing to explore first. Beyond that, if you get a closing role outside of SaaS, you might be able to sell your SaaS BDR experience + non-SaaS AE experience to become a SaaS AE down the line.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
0
🦊
🤷‍♀️
punishedlad
Tycoon
5
Business Development Team Lead
In the majority of cases, usually industry dependent, SaaS companies want SaaS sales people. It could potentially hurt your cause to leave SaaS if you don't have a particular company/industry in mind. I say this mostly because, as you said, SaaS is really saturated and companies have a pretty deep pool to choose from when it comes to new sales reps.
Justatitle
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
this isn't really a saturation problem, more so an experience problem. It's hard to move into an AE role without previous closing experience however companies do hire for junior AE roles and that may be an option to look for here.
Armageddon
Opinionated
1
Enterprise Account Executive
Look for SMB ae roles. Is there no path to promotion at your current company?
BigShrimpin
Catalyst
1
Account executive
depending on the industry sure but SaaS is a gigantic blanket you're gonna have an easier time landing a role at an unproven startup in a niche market vs AWS or google
rharris415
Contributor
1
Founder
The "we need saas" experience is such bullshit.
Now, that doesn't mean you won't run into it or they won't use it against you.

Depending on your situation, I think it is ok to leave tech for a year or so and get some sales experience.
Because when you come back, you will now have both saas and sales experience.
When the economy turns again, and it will. It won't matter to them as much.
If you're getting interviews for AE roles without being an AE, then the first question to ask them is "So, I don't have closing experience yet. Which is why I am excited to be here. I am curious, what on my resume makes you even want to talk to me?"
miguelnelson
Contributor
0
Business Development Representative
Awesome thank you!
NotCreativeEnough
Big Shot
1
Professional Day Ruiner
If you want to be in SaaS, stay in saas. Once you’re out, it’s tough to get back in. And in general, companies don’t care about experience you have from other industries.
kitxkatxx
Contributor
1
AE/Full cycle sales betch
I had 5 months of SDR experience when I landed my full cycle SaaS AE role. Emailed the recruiter with my metrics as an SDR and how my previous career experience related to the role. Showed up with a deck visualizing this when I got to the hiring manager. Rest is history. It can be done! Do what you can to stand out.

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