Crafting a resume for a SaaS sales position often proves challenging as it requires a delicate balance of technical knowledge and persuasive selling skills. By following our comprehensive guide, you'll learn how to expertly showcase your unique capabilities, ensuring you stand out in this highly competitive field.
- saas sales resumes that are tailored to the role are more likely to catch recruiters' attention.
- Most sought-out saas sales skills that should make your resume.
- Styling the layout of your professional resume: take a page from saas sales resume examples.
How to write about your saas sales achievements in various resume sections (e.g. summary, experience, and education).
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How to style your saas sales resume: layout and format
When creating your saas sales resume, have you ever wondered how long it should be? Experts point out that it should be between one and two pages. Choose the longer format, if you happen to have over a decade of relevant experience. What is more, resume formats play a crucial role in presenting your experience. Use the:- Reverse-chronological resume format to highlight your experience;
- Functional skill-based resume format if you have less experience and want to focus on skills;
- Hybrid resume format to guide recruiters through both your experience and skills.
- Make sure your headline is simple and includes the job you're applying for or your current role, an abbreviation of a certificate you have, or even your professional area of interest;
- Always tailor your saas sales resume to the role you're applying for by matching job requirements to your experience via different resume sections;
- Once you've created your resume, download it in PDF (unless otherwise specified). This is to ensure readability and that the layout remains fixed.
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PRO TIP
Highlight any significant extracurricular activities that demonstrate valuable skills or leadership.
Traditional sections, appreciated by recruiters, for your saas sales resume:
- Clear and concise header with relevant links and contact details
- Summary or objective with precise snapshot of our career highlights and why you're a suitable candidate for the saas sales role
- Experience that goes into the nuts and bolts of your professional qualifications and success
- Skills section(-s) for more in-depth talent-alignment between job keywords and your own profile
- Education and certifications sections to further show your commitment for growth in the specific niche
What recruiters want to see on your resume:
- Proven track record of meeting and exceeding sales quotas
- Experience with CRM software and account management tools
- Demonstrable understanding of the SaaS industry and product knowledge
- Strong communication and presentation skills, particularly in a virtual sales environment
- Ability to manage the entire sales cycle from prospecting to close
What is the resume experience section and how to write one for your past roles
The experience section in a saas sales resume is critical for your profile and overall application. It should not only display your work history, but also highlight your achievements in previous roles.
Many candidates either simply list their duties or provide excessive details about past, irrelevant jobs. A more effective approach involves first examining the job advertisement for keywords - specifically, skills essential for the role. Then, demonstrate these key requirements throughout different parts of your resume, using accomplishments from your roles.
Format each bullet point in your experience section by starting with a strong action verb. Follow this with a description of your role and its impact on the team or organization.
Aim to include three to five bullet points for each role.
Finally, gain insights into how professionals have crafted their saas sales resume experience sections by exploring some best practice examples.
- Managed a diverse client portfolio of mid-market companies, achieving 130% of the sales target in 2018 by strategically cross-selling ancillary SaaS products.
- Conducted product demonstrations to an average of 25 prospects per week, contributing to a 40% increase in closed deals quarter over quarter.
- Collaborated with product teams to relay customer feedback, leading to the implementation of 3 new product features tailored to market needs.
- Developed and executed a go-to-market strategy for a new SaaS solution, securing $5M in ARR within the first year of launch.
- Led a sales team of 10, providing training and coaching that improved team productivity by 25%.
- Cultivated a partnership program with complementary technology vendors, which resulted in a 20% increase in lead generation.
- Oversaw enterprise sales cycles averaging 9 months, closing deals upwards of $500k by leveraging in-depth product knowledge and C-level engagement.
- Implemented a continuous improvement program for the sales process, which reduced the sales cycle duration by 10%.
- Utilized advanced analytics to refine sales forecasting, resulting in a forecast accuracy improvement to 95%.
- Executed strategic sales plans that expanded the company’s market share within the cloud-based CRM space by 15%.
- Managed key accounts and nurtured relationships, leading to a customer retention rate of 92%.
- Initiated and led a cross-functional sales enablement initiative, shortening new sales reps' ramp-up time by 30%.
- Directed a team responsible for prospecting and closing new business, consistently exceeding quarterly sales targets by at least 20%.
- Championed the adoption of a new sales enablement tool that increased proposal output by 35%.
- Fostered high-level partnerships with industry influencers, significantly expanding the reach and visibility of the SaaS platform.
- Instrumental in establishing the SaaS startup's presence in a new geographic market, generating $2M in sales within the first year.
- Developed a scalable sales process that reduced customer acquisition cost by 18% while maintaining a rapid growth trajectory.
- Achieved top salesperson award for two consecutive years by consistently outperforming sales targets by over 30%.
- Singlehandedly managed a pipeline of over 100 enterprise-level prospects, converting 10% into long-term clients.
- Implemented a strategic upselling initiative that enhanced average deal size by 22%, contributing significantly to quarterly revenue growth.
- Spearheaded the development of an industry-specific SaaS solution, successfully bringing it to market and achieving a 50% adoption rate among the target audience.
- Built a high-performance SaaS sales team from the ground up, growing revenue from zero to $3M within three years.
- Instituted an inbound marketing strategy that tripled qualified lead flow, thereby decreasing the customer acquisition cost by 30%.
- Negotiated and closed several key strategic partnerships that expanded distribution channels and resulted in a user base growth of 60%.
Quantifying impact on your resume
- Include the percentage by which you exceeded your quarterly sales targets.
- List the exact number of new customer accounts you secured within a specific timeframe.
- Specify the dollar value of the sales pipeline you managed or grew.
- Indicate the percentage increase in customer retention you achieved through your sales strategies.
- Mention the precise number of product demos or sales presentations you delivered.
- Detail the conversion rate from trials or demos to paid accounts that you were responsible for.
- Quantify the size of the teams or projects you led in terms of team members and project budgets.
- Report any cost savings realized through process improvements or negotiations that you implemented.
Action verbs for your saas sales resume
SaaS Sales resume without experience: a walk-through guide
If you don't happen to have any relevant experience yet, you can substitute this with:
- Short-term gigs and stunts - like month-long internships, that you have done during your university days
- Contract work - be specific about the relevance and outcomes of each role you include
- Resume format that prioritizes your skills - the functional-skill-based format or hybrid format could work
- Research roles - feature those especially prominently if you've participated in a noteworthy project or your role was of utmost importance to the project's success.
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If you're in the process of obtaining your certificate or degree, list the expected date you're supposed to graduate or be certified.
How to showcase hard skills and soft skills on your resume
Reading between the lines of your dream job, you find recruiters are looking for candidates who have specific software or hardware knowledge, and personal skills.
Any technology you're adept at shows your hard skills. This particular skill set answers initial job requirements, hinting at how much time your potential employers would have to invest in training you. Showcase you have the relevant technical background in your communicate, solve problems, and adapt to new environments. Basically, your interpersonal communication skills that show recruiters if you'd fit into the team and company culture. You could use the achievements section to tie in your greatest wins with relevant soft skills.
It's also a good idea to add some of your hard and soft skills across different resume sections (e.g. summary/objective, experience, etc.) to match the job requirements and pass the initial screening process. Remember to always check your skill spelling and ensure that you've copy-pasted the name of the desired skills from the job advert as is.
Top skills for your saas sales resume:
Lead Generation
CRM Software Proficiency
Product Demonstration
Solution Selling
Sales Pipeline Management
Contract Negotiation
SaaS Industry Knowledge
Sales Forecasting
Customer Success Strategies
Data Analysis
Effective Communication
Active Listening
Problem Solving
Adaptability
Persistence
Time Management
Negotiation
Teamwork
Customer Empathy
Strategic Thinking
PRO TIP
If you failed to obtain one of the certificates, as listed in the requirements, but decide to include it on your resume, make sure to include a note somewhere that you have the "relevant training, but are planning to re-take the exams". Support this statement with the actual date you're planning to be re-examined. Always be honest on your resume.
Your academic background: should you include your education and certifications on your saas sales resume?
Adding relevant education and certifications to your saas sales resume is beneficial, whether you're an experienced candidate or just starting in the field.
Featuring your higher education degree that aligns with the role demonstrates your commitment to the industry. On your saas sales resume, include the start and graduation dates, followed by the name of the institution that awarded your degree.
Regarding certifications, it's wise to list those most relevant to the role or that have contributed to your array of crucial technical or personal traits. Be sure to include the name of the certificate and the awarding institution.
If uncertain about which certifications to feature prominently on your saas sales resume, refer to our compiled list of the most in-demand ones for guidance.
The top 5 certifications for your saas sales resume:
- Certified Professional Sales Person (CPSP) - National Association of Sales Professionals
- Certified Inside Sales Professional (CISP) - American Association of Inside Sales Professionals
- Certified Sales Leadership Professional (CSLP) - The Sales Management Association
- HUBSPOT Sales Software Certification - HubSpot Academy
- Strategic Sales Management Certification (SSMC) - Sales Management Association
PRO TIP
If you happen to have some basic certificates, don't invest too much of your saas sales resume real estate in them. Instead, list them within the skills section or as part of your relevant experience. This way you'd ensure you meet all job requirements while dedicating your certificates to only the most in-demand certification across the industry.
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Adding a summary or objective to your saas sales resume
One of the most crucial elements of your professional presentation is your resume's top one-third. This most often includes:
- Either a resume summary - your career highlights at a glance. Select the summary if you have plenty of relevant experience (and achievements), you'd like recruiters to remember about your application.
- Or, a resume objective - to showcase your determination for growth. The perfect choice for candidates with less experience, who are looking to grow their career in the field.
If you want to go above and beyond with your saas sales resume summary or resume objective, make sure to answer precisely why recruiters need to hire you. What is the additional value you'd provide to the company or organization? Now here are examples from real-life saas sales professionals, whose resumes have helped them land their dream jobs:
Resume summaries for a saas sales job
- With over 7 years of dynamic sales experience in SaaS, specifically in cloud-based CRM solutions, I have consistently exceeded sales quotas by at least 25%, leveraging my profound expertise in Salesforce automation and lead generation. Spearheaded the expansion of market share by 40% in the Fortune 500 sector, solidifying the company's dominance in a competitive landscape.
- Transitioning from a successful 5-year tenure in enterprise software development, where problem-solving skills were finely honed, to SaaS sales with a fresh perspective on how to tailor technology solutions to client needs. Deep technical acumen and a record of cultivating partnerships with key industry players will be an asset in driving SaaS growth.
- Eager to bring a robust portfolio of strategic management and marketing experience from the healthcare industry to the fast-paced world of SaaS sales. Over a decade of leading cross-functional teams has honed an exceptional ability to identify client pain points, with triumphs including a 60% increase in customer retention through a bespoke service initiative.
- As a former financial analyst with 6 years under my belt, adept at data interpretation and client communication, shifting gears to SaaS sales to leverage analytical prowess in a tech-focused environment. My successes include a top-tier portfolio management achievement involving a $500 million fund with a 15% ROI outperformance.
- Desiring an entry into the dynamic world of SaaS, bringing forth a spirited commitment and a keen desire to master sales strategies and product knowledge. Eager to apply a strong foundation in customer service and communication obtained from the hospitality sector, aiming to deliver exceptional results through perseverance and a passion for technology.
- Joining SaaS sales as a fresh challenger with a background in social media marketing, I am ready to transfer my digital campaigning skills and understanding of digital engagement metrics to innovate sales techniques. Highly motivated to embrace LMS platforms and contribute to creating compelling customer experiences that convert leads into loyal users.
Taking your saas sales resume to the next level with these four additional resume sections
Your saas sales resume can feature a variety of skills (both hard and soft) in diverse sections. Choose those that align best with the job requirements and reflect your suitability for the company culture.
Consider these four additional resume sections recommended by our experts:
- Languages - State any languages you are proficient in and your level of proficiency. This demonstrates your commitment to communication and potential for international growth.
- Projects - Highlight up to three significant projects you've completed outside of work, showcasing skill development. Include a link to your project portfolio in the saas sales resume header, if applicable.
- My Time - How you allocate your time outside work can indicate your organizational skills and cultural fit within the company.
- Volunteering - Detail causes you're passionate about, roles you've held, and achievements in volunteering. Such experiences likely have honed a range of soft skills crucial for your dream job.
Key takeaways
We've reached the end of our saas sales resume guide and hope this information has been useful. As a summary of our key points:
- Always assess the job advert for relevant requirements and integrate those buzzwords across various sections of your saas sales resume by presenting tangible metrics of success;
- Quantify your hard skills in your certificates and skills section, while your soft skills in your resume achievements section;
- Ensure you've added additional relevant experience items, such as extracurricular activities and projects you've participated in or led;
- Use both your resume experience and summary to focus on what matters the most to the role: including your technical, character, and cultural fit for the company.
