Why SaaS Salespeople Are More Open to New Opportunities in 2025
Understanding what’s driving movement - and how smart companies are using it to their advantage.
If you’re hiring in SaaS sales right now, you’ve probably noticed a trend: salespeople are more open to conversations than ever before.
Most aren't scrolling through job boards or sending over CVs, but they're curious. They're ready to listen when the right opportunity comes along... and in many cases, it doesn’t take much to turn that curiosity into serious interest.
So, what’s behind this shift?
The answer isn’t just one thing - it’s a mix of evolving candidate expectations, changing market dynamics, and how SaaS companies are positioning themselves in a competitive hiring landscape.
Career Progression Is Still the Biggest Motivator
Ask almost any salesperson why they’d consider leaving, and chances are, the word “progression” usually come up quickly.
Even in high-performing roles, many candidates feel they’ve hit a ceiling. Whether they’ve outgrown their role, stagnated under leadership, or just aren’t being challenged anymore - they’re open to hearing about what else is out there.
This doesn’t mean they’re unhappy. In fact, many salespeople like their current role - but ambition doesn’t sit still. If they can’t see how or when they’ll progress, they start exploring.
What candidates want to see from employers:
A clear path from SDR to AE, or AE to Senior AE / BDM
A timeline that feels achievable - not vague promises tied to “business needs”
Evidence that progression is based on performance, not politics
Knowing what’s possible - and when - can be the reason someone joins your team over someone else’s.
Product-Led Companies Attract Stronger Salespeople
This point can’t be overstated. Salespeople want to sell something that works.
They’re increasingly drawn to SaaS companies with:
Products that solve real-world, validated problems
A clear value proposition that’s easy to communicate
Real-life case studies that back up the pitch
When they’re in front of a prospect, they want confidence. Confidence that the tech can deliver. That the buyer will see value. That they won’t be let down by the onboarding or support function.
If your product isn't constantly improving, the top salespeople are going to think twice.
On the other hand, companies leading with innovation - particularly those who’ve embraced AI- are getting the attention of some of the most ambitious candidates in the market.
Flexibility Isn’t a Perk - It’s a Priority
The post-pandemic shift towards flexibility wasn’t a drill. It was a new reality. And in 2025, it’s non-negotiable for most salespeople.
This doesn’t just mean “remote-first.” It means:
Trust-based working, not clock-watching
An understanding that family comes first
Clear boundaries that let people switch off
Sales can be high-pressure. But it doesn’t need to come at the cost of work-life balance. Many sales professionals are choosing roles that respect:
Their time
Their wellbeing
And their lives outside of work.
The companies doing this well aren’t just more attractive to candidates—they’re retaining people longer, too.
Speed is a Competitive Advantage
Some companies are wrapping up their hiring processes in two weeks or less. Others are dragging them out over four or five stages, only to lose the candidate to someone who moved quicker.
In this market, speed isn’t a 'nice to have' - it’s a strategy.
Candidates with great experience, strong commercial acumen and proven SaaS knowledge are receiving multiple offers. If your process is slow or overcomplicated, it sends a message: you're not decisive, and you’re not prioritising talent.
Even more important is being open-minded about who you interview.
Some of the best hires we’ve seen lately aren’t from picture-perfect CVs. They’re from people with:
Transferable sales skills from adjacent industries
A real hunger to break into SaaS
The ability to learn, adapt and hit the ground running with the right support
The companies willing to hire based on potential are building stronger, more agile teams.
Most Salespeople Aren’t Applying - But They Are Listening
One of the most important shifts we’ve seen? The best SaaS salespeople aren’t applying to jobs.
They’re passive.
They’re delivering against targets, they’re busy, and they’re often not scrolling job boards. But they are open to hearing about roles that offer:
Better progression
A more exciting product
A leadership team that inspires them
This is where having the right recruitment partner is essential. Someone who understands the SaaS space, knows how to have the right conversations, and can engage candidates who aren't actively looking but could be the perfect fit.
Retention Is Important
Salespeople aren’t just moving because they’re being poached. They’re leaving because they no longer feel connected, challenged, or valued.
Right now, we’re seeing an increase in candidates exploring new roles due to:
Management or leadership changes
A shift in company direction that no longer aligns with their values
Feeling like a “number” in a team that’s become too commercial, with no personal recognition
Compensation still plays a role - but more often than not, it’s culture and leadership that tip people over the edge.
The lesson here? Retention is the most cost-effective recruitment strategy you’ve got. But it needs to be intentional. Check in with your teams, understand their goals, and invest in their development. If you don’t, someone else will.
The Market Is Moving - So Should You
Salespeople aren’t moving just for the sake of it. They’re moving because they’ve outgrown their current setup - and they believe they can get more elsewhere.
More progression.
More belief in what they’re selling.
More balance.
More purpose.
For SaaS companies, this creates both a risk - and an opportunity.
If you can offer a clear path, a product with impact, and a culture that motivates… you’re already ahead of the competition.
Looking to secure top SaaS sales talent or improve your retention strategy?
We work with startups, scaleups, and established SaaS brands to build high-performing sales teams - and we know what the market wants.
- Written by Arun Sutton
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