​How to Start a Career in SaaS? Here is Our Expert Take on It!

Choosing a career path is of massive significance for every individual. Many factors influence one’s career choices, including salary, benefits, growth potential, job satisfaction, and job security. Furthermore, modern technological developments have transformed several industries and paved the way for new and existing career opportunities. The SaaS industry, in particular, is rapidly growing and becoming increasingly popular as a top career choice among enthusiastic candidates. Below we discuss the importance and the process of building a career in SaaS. Let’s get started. 

SaaS - Overview

Everywhere we hear the term 'SaaS' and people raving about it, but what exactly is SaaS? Software as a Service or SaaS platform allows users to connect and use cloud-based applications over the Internet. Rather than maintaining and developing software, you have access to it via the Internet. The advantage of SaaS is that even small-scale companies can adopt cutting-edge technologies to run their day-to-day operations without putting extra cost. 

Popular SaaS Solutions and Solution Providers

If you are not sure which software come under the umbrella of SaaS, here are some famous examples that you might have already used.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software- CRM allows companies to easily manage customer data, track customer interactions, compile business information and automate sales. The most popular CRM providers are SalesForce, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Zoho CRM, and Oracle CRM. 

Accounting Software - Companies use Accounting Software to keep their finance in check and to ensure that their financial statements are prepared in accordance with international accounting standards. The most popular accounting software providers are FreshBooks, Xeroand Oracle NetSuite

Project Management Software- Whether you are planning a project, managing schedules, allocating resources, and communicating deadlines to complete projects on budget and on time, you need Project Management Software. The most popular PMS providers are Trello, Asana, Basecamp, and Teamwork.

Email Marketing Software- Companies use Email Marketing Software to automate their workload relating to managing emails in bulk. The most popular EMS providers include Hubspot, Mailchimp, Active Campaign, and Drip.

Communication Software- Communication software is one of the most prominent applications of SaaS. After Covid-19, many companies moved to remote to communicate and collaborate efficiently. No matter where you are sitting, you can efficiently share and assign tasks with your co-workers. The most popular communication software providers are Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom.

Content Management Systems (CMS) - To publish blogs and articles and manage the content, you need SaaS-based CMS solutions to ensure your content is well organized and on point. Few prominent CMS solutions include WordPress, Wix, and Ghost.

Starting a Career in SaaS

The SaaS industry has revolutionized modern workplaces by becoming the prime delivery model for core business applications. A study by Gartnerreveals that this industry has grown massively in the past few years and is worth $171.9 billion in 2022. This growth is based on the highly successful adoption of SaaS solutions across various industries. BetterCloudstats show that large organizations with more than 1000 employees have employed 150+ SaaS applications. Small and medium-sized businesses also use an average of 25-50 SaaS solutions for business operations. Surveys also show that 75% of companies have shifted entirely to SaaS-based solutions. 

These stats prove why building a career in SaaS is the top choice for a  large number of individuals. SaaS offers highly lucrative career opportunities to experts with mixed skillsets. The most demanding skills in the SaaS industry include software development, project management, sales, product Management, and marketing. We’ll discuss these skills below.

SaaS is a booming industry, and if you are looking to step into the SaaS industry, you are right on time. In the coming years, SaaS will become a dominant business model. Are you excited to make your next career move? This industry has plenty of job opportunities, and it is just the beginning!

Top Career Choices in the SaaS Industry

Software development
A software developer is one of the most in-demand positions in the SaaS industry. As a software developer, you will be directly responsible for developing and testing the actual software that the company is selling. There are many opportunities for Software developers with a high-paying salary as they form the core of any SaaS company. 

Product management
A product manager oversees new products from their creation to the maintenance of the software. They are responsible for creating product strategy, conducting market strategy, generating product ideas, managing product design, and much more. 

Project management
The project manager's job is to oversee the whole project and ensure the team works smoothly. It's about ensuring that all pieces fit together and work cohesively.

Marketing
The marketing team's job is to make sure the world knows about the product, its features, benefits, and why people should be interested in the product. 

Sales
There are many sales opportunities in the SaaS industry. A salesperson will have responsibilities including initial sales call, evaluation, software demonstration, ROI, RFP, and much more. The salesperson's primary responsibility is to make sure that person ends up buying the product.

Customer Success
Customer success professionals are an essential part of the SaaS ecosystem because they come up with strategies and to help customers get what they want and increase their retention rate. In general, customer success experts are responsible for making decisions that help in retaining customers to meet revenue goals.

A Step by Step Guide to Start a Career in SaaS

Self-Educate- In this era, along with your formal education, your skills matter the most. To get started in the SaaS industry, you need to learn as much as you can about your industry. You can take additional courses and learn trending skills like digital marketing, data analysis, and copywriting and even have a background in software development to ensure you are prepared for challenges of SaaS industry.

Go for Entry-Level Positions- You need to start from the bottom and look for entry-level positions in your area of interest/expertise. It will help you to gain hands-on experience and take you higher in your career field.

Find the right-fit SaaS Companies- Even if you are a beginner, you should look for SaaS companies that fit your passion. Finding the right place must be challenging, but it will be fruitful in the long run, and you will enjoy your work and the company culture.

Startups vs. Corporates

There is much debate about startups and corporate companies, but what is the right choice for you? Whether a startup or corporate, you must select what works for you. Let’s compare the two to get some basic knowledge about both choices. 

To summarize it all, we can assume that a startup is an excellent option if you love to learn new things with great flexibility. However, If you are someone who wants to work on a long-term project under mentors, then corporate is your way. 

Why is SaaS the Future? 

The future of SaaS is bright as it is a rapidly growing industry and continuously expanding. The market is expected to grow from USD 130.69 billion in 2021 to USD 716.52 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 27.5% from 2021 to 2028. SaaS is the future due to the massive progress made by the IT world. 

SaaS brings new approaches to the traditional business model. The future methodology introduces better approaches to customer acquisition, user onboarding, and customer satisfaction. The future of SaaS will be defined by doing more with less. Today, technology is proactive, but tomorrow, technology will be predictive. Interestingly, 90% of all data has been generated in the past two years. 

After Covid, many companies have switched to remote work, increasing the popularity of SaaS solutions. This is especially true because these services can be used from anywhere in the world without the need for purchasing and setting up specialized infrastructure.

SaaS is the future and has become unstoppable; therefore, it is excellent to think about your career in the SaaS industry. There will be more opportunities and chances for growth in the SaaS industry.

Advantages of Professional Recruitment Partners

The SaaS industry is highly competitive, and clients always look for top talent in the market. The job hunting process is hectic, and finding a suitable client takes time and energy. SaaS recruiters deal with all the issues related to solo job hunting. While some recruiters will charge a fee to look for an ideal vacancy for you, some great recruitment agencies which specialize in SaaS offer free services to candidates such as SaaS Talents. Here are a few advantages of professional recruitment partners.

Industry Expertise 
Recruitment agencies deeply understand their relevant industries, and SaaS recruiters are no exception. They assess the current demand and supply of skilled SaaS workforces and forecast future trends and changing market dynamics. They guide candidates with the most suitable career choices and the importance of continuous professional development. 

Access to Top Clients 
SaaS recruitment agencies develop strategic partnerships with high-value clients seeking to hire quality talent. This feature makes recruiting agencies the top choice for SaaS talent. Another advantage of hiring such agencies is understanding the candidates’ requirements and looking for the most suitable clients accordingly. 

Fast and Efficient 
Finding a job is the most stressful process for any individual. SaaS recruiters address all the issues related to job hunting and save time and resources for candidates. Not only do they quickly find the best employers, but they also assist with formal requirements relating to referencing, documentation, and negotiations. 

Flexible and Reliable 
Recruitment agencies provide their clients and candidates with both long-term and short-term employment prospects. Both parties can test their compatibilities and analyze if they can build a valuable partnership. Recruitment agencies act as a bridge of trust and reliability among both parties. 

How can SaaS Talents Help You?
SaaS Talents work with SaaS companies at different growth stages and help them onboard the ideal candidate. Who knows that the next hire might be you? How can you ensure this? Reach out to us through our website and share your details. Our expert recruiters will reach out to you when a vacancy that matches your expertise is available.

Conclusion 

Yes, it is! To summarize, SaaS is a cloud service that emerged as an effective reuse paradigm. It provides benefits to service consumers. There is no initial cost to purchase software, free of maintenance, accessibility through the Internet, high availability, and pay-per-use pricing. Sounds unbelievable? Well, that's the magic of SaaS. 

The SaaS industry is growing at a considerable pace and new opportunities are opening up every day. Looking at its growth trajectory, we can safely say that it will become a dominant business model in the years to come. 

Are you still confused about starting your career in the SaaS industry? We are here for you! Visit our website and find your next opportunity. Find the right job for you and thrive in your career! 

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