- Introduction: It’s not too late to change jobs to IT sales in your 20s
- The SaaS/ERP industry is a growing market
- Job description of SaaS sales and ERP sales
- Average annual salary and annual holidays
- Passing the selection process despite having no experience
- Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
- About Recruitment Agents
Introduction: It’s not too late to change jobs to IT sales in your 20s
If you’re in your 20s and you think, “I want to work in an industry where I can grow more,” or
“I want to increase my market value as a sales professional,” then SaaS sales and ERP package sales are currently very hot career options.
Hello! My name is Asa and I run
the job information website [Nisots Blog] that specializes in second-time job seekers .
The SaaS industry is growing rapidly both in Japan and overseas.
The trend toward cloud computing is unstoppable, and ERP (enterprise resource planning) and accounting software are also shifting to cloud-based systems. By using SaaS and business knowledge as your weapons, you can dramatically increase your annual income and career advancement as a sales professional.
In this article, we will provide you with all the information you need to change jobs in SaaS/ERP sales , from
the future prospects of the market and the job content to
the actual annual salary/work style and how to pass the selection process !
The SaaS/ERP industry is a growing market
SaaS sales market: to reach approximately 2 trillion yen by 2028
According to a survey by IDC Japan, the domestic SaaS market is expected to grow from
approximately 1.3 trillion yen in 2023 to approximately 2 trillion yen in 2028.
Demand is particularly growing for business-related SaaS (accounting, expenses, CRM, etc.).
ERP and accounting software: Supporting companies’ digital transformation
The ERP market is also on the rise, expanding 9.5% year-on-year to approximately 142 billion yen by 2023.
Cloud-based ERP already accounts for more than 60% of the market, and is being introduced by small and medium-sized enterprises.
In the accounting software field, the rise of SaaS vendors such as freee and Money Forward is notable.
Job description of SaaS sales and ERP sales
Characteristics of SaaS Sales
- Inside Sales (in-house) :
Online sales to lead customers. Specializing in new development. - Field Sales (outside the office) :
Responsible for closing deals through visits and negotiations. - Customer Success :
Post-implementation support and encouraging continued use.
In the subscription model of SaaS, the sale is not the end ; continued use equals sales power . A strategy is required to balance
order numbers with continued use based on trust with customers .
Characteristics of ERP and accounting software sales
- Understand the client’s business flow (accounting, sales, inventory) and propose system implementation.
- Because this is an expensive and long-term proposal , the ability to identify issues and provide logical explanations is required.
- During the implementation phase, we may work with systems engineers and consultants.
Average annual salary and annual holidays
Average annual income
| Career Stage | Annual income (estimate) |
|---|---|
| Inexperienced (20s) | 4 million to 4.5 million yen |
| Sales experience (late 20s) | 5 million to 6.5 million yen |
| Leader ~ Mgr | 7 to 9 million yen |
The median annual salary at SaaS companies (freee, Sansan, Money Forward, etc.) is around 6 to 7 million yen . People with experience in KPI management and number management have an advantage when it comes to annual salary offers.
Annual holidays and overtime hours
- Annual holidays: 120 days or more (2 days off per week + public holidays)
- Monthly overtime hours: 10 to 20 hours
- Telework rate: 60-70% (full remote work available)
For people in their 20s who value work-life balance, this is a valuable industry that allows them to escape the notion that “sales = hard work . “
Passing the selection process despite having no experience
■ Required skills
| skill | Commentary |
|---|---|
| Experience using CRM/SFA tools | Use of Salesforce, Hubspot, etc. is advantageous |
| Accounting/Business Understanding | Extremely important for ERP and accounting software sales. Bookkeeping Level 3 is a great tool |
| Proposal material creation/issue hearing | Listening skills and hypothesis-building skills tend to be evaluated |
Differentiate yourself with your resume
- Numbers: Sales targets, achievement rates, order rates, etc.
- Specialist experience: CRM operation, business improvement proposals, etc. are added points
- Reasons for applying: Clearly articulate your industry knowledge and “empathy for SaaS-type business”
Example) Suggested composition of motivation for applying
“I am attracted to the recurring revenue model of the SaaS industry. In my previous job, I solved XX issues for XX corporate clients. I would like to use this experience to help companies improve their business efficiency through ERP, which is why I applied to your company.”
Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
Q1. Can I become a SaaS salesperson even if I have no experience?
→ Yes, it is possible. Especially in inside sales and customer success, there are many job openings that welcome inexperienced people, and there is a well-established training system.
Q2. Is selling accounting software hard?
→ It may seem difficult because it requires knowledge, but on the other hand, once you have acquired it, you will become a valuable employee who is difficult to replace .
Q3. How do I go about looking for a new job?
→ Make use of a recruitment agency and
use a service that allows you to search by job type and industry, such as “SaaS sales” or “ERP sales.”
About Recruitment Agents
This may sound bad, but
job hunting is a lonely experience.
Unlike when you first graduated, you don’t have any friends to share information with and fight with.
You also have a limited amount of time to search for a new job.
A recruitment agent is someone you can rely on in times like these
.
You can receive
thorough support for free, such as career consultations, interview preparation, and applying for non-public job openings .
We hope that you will make use of a job change agent, especially since you are a busy person.
In fact, I used it when changing jobs and
was able to successfully secure a job offer.
This is a job-hunting agency recommended for people in their 20s.
Please give it a try.
This is an English translation of an article originally published in Japanese on [にそつブログ/にそつブログ]. The original article can be found [【20代若手向け】SaaS営業・ERP営業への転職ガイド ~年収・休日・選考対策を徹底解説~].
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