tuaanon

Advice needed for raise

commercial AE at SaaS co for ~10 months. my wife recently exited corporate America to pursue a new career in entirely new field, and is going from making more than I was, to $20/hour. we live in CA.

I'm currently #2 out of 25 reps from a closed revenue perspective midway through our FY. With my performance to date, and my wife's income falling drastically, I was curious, has anyone been in a position like this?

I want to highlight my accomplishments, but more importantly, appeal to my higher ups on a human-level. I know for a fact I'm making 10K less in base than someone who I'm far outperforming. is it out of line to ask for a 15K raise in base?

thank you!

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Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

Sales Rep

If you are 2/25 you have a great argument, however I would be prepared to go through the "only been there for 10 months" argument.
I always like to position asking for a raise by "How can we get closer to X number" I would NOT think 15k would be a crazy ask, especially if you are happy with the 10k, because there will be some push back given you are 10 months in.
I think telling them about your new financial situation can help you also, by getting them to be more empathic rather than think you are greedy after 6 months.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Based on performance, yes.
Not based on your life circumstances, even though your colleagues and direct manager will most likely sympathize. The cold hard facts are that businesses usually do not base salary decisions on anything other than performance, role, etc.
So focus on your achievement and what you bring to the company, and that your performance merits an increase.

tuaanon

Good Citizen

Wise to reference I’m outperforming those making more than me or no?

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

It doesn't always work, but many things don't. I'd say that based on performance, you should be paid what the other reps are.
Note that companies may have other considerations for base salary amount, including tenure and where you are located. Most CA locations are high COL, so if that's a consideration, you're already there.
How did you find out about the other salaries? Not that it changes things, but I'm curious.

tuaanon

Good Citizen

Thank you. & we’re all pretty good friends(?). Working in office 3x a week it’s come up a few times

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

I always appreciate people who are up front about that. Glad they you have that info.

AnchorPoint

Politicker

Business Coach

Bringing your family situation into the negotiation for a raise is a huge mistake. Frankly, no one will give a shit about your wife's career decisions - especially when they are not tied to your company. It makes you look weak. Focus on your accomplishments and the value you bring to the table. If you are worth more, make that case and leave your wife, your kids, and your mom out of it.

tuaanon

Good Citizen

Thank you, this is pretty aligned with how I feel. I was pretty torn since it’s only a 200 person company, but I agree it probably doesn’t matter to them

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

If they were to give you the 15k based on your wife’s reduction in income would you give it back to them when she starts earning again? Probably not. Get the money on your own merit. Sound like you may even deserve it.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

Are you worth $15k?

SoccerandSales

Big Shot

Account Executive

Can't really leverage life circumstances, but pull every number you can to further your cause and be ready to answer for why you should get that bump after just 10 months

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

The best way to do this is to prepare for each pushback
- Your commission is your raise- You have less than 1 year tenure - your peers salaries should be private
With all of this said, you should do this off of the facts of your performance and ask for more than 15k, something in the neighborhood of 20k this way if they come down to 15 you're happy and at 20 you are happier. You can also make it so that it happens at the 1-year mark and it's a performance-based incentive.

Maximas

Tycoon

Senior Sales Executive

Definitely go for it, but just try not to bring your family sit over the table and just highlight your performance instead. Even if, you feel that they're not good with the full 15k,it'll be ok to ask for a bit less and see how they'll respond!

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

With your performance, that’s your strongest agreement for a raise. They won’t care about your personal circumstances.

If you have a regular 1-1 with your boss, ask him the process for a raise in compensation based on your performance. And when he asks how much, you tell him that market rates are $X and you are looking for <$Y> based on your performance and market rates.

Major Account Executive

Nailed it here. I was in this exact circumstance some years ago and made the performance and market rate argument and got the raise in my next paycheck. I didn't mention my wife had stopped working to get a PhD in Social Work and the mortgage payments were killing me.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Be sure to give us an update on how this goes. Good luck.

doodly

Executive

Account Executive

Does your company structure higher salaries / benefits depending on specific titles? Like Account Executive, Sr. AE, or AE 1,2,3,4... because if you qualify for the next tier based on experience and performance from when you were first interviewed, maybe your leader can get you approved from HR to the next tier, and you ask him to ask for it based on your performance today.

Head of sales

I disagree with everyone here - you're #2 right now. Get to #1 for 6 consecutive months. Then, the company will approach you for a raise and perhaps a promotion.

Account Executive

Performance, it's always the strongest case for a raise. Unfortunately, be prepared that not all companies agree. Some will have excuses for not giving you a raise. That's why from the dawn of time top performers are more valuable to their competitors. When will companies get this and not subject their top reps to all this drama?

buckeyenation

Acclaimed Answer

Wife and I have been on no income for 6 months. Lol.

Get a grip man. Sorry to be rude. But keep selling. You mad because you can’t save 4K a month anymore? It’s down to 3? Cmon.

Irishman

Catalyst

Business Consultant

Performance yes, your wife's decision is nothing to do with them so irrelevant - if she got a better paying job, would you reduce your wages? The fact that you are only in the role for a short while will go against you - we've all seen new starters kill it when they first arrive (usually because they've taken over a neglected area) but then struggle when things get more challenging. But highlighting the fact you've been a top performer since you started is worth a shot - have any of the higher earners been in the role a similar amount of time as you? If so, then that should be a decent argument.

tuaanon

Good Citizen

Yes, 2 of them were in my new hire class. All with no prior ae experience

chef

Fire Starter

Manager, Enterprise Sales

As bad as it sounds I don’t think “appealing from a human level” is your move. It’s nobody’s job to understand what’s happening in your life and support it. They have a company to run and that always takes first place. The fairness piece with a colleague is real but a tough one. They’ll likely be aware of that gap and have already thought of an answer for what to say if you ask (very common concern for sales leaders). If you’re #2 and have a lot of accomplishments others don’t have you’re in a good spot. Lean in to what you’ve accomplished, what sets you apart and why you’re worth more not than when you were given your current comp. I’d also think through new things you can take on that you’re not doing today that would benefit the company. Past is good. Future is better. Prove what you’ve done and are worth. Tell them why to bet on you.

dwarfygoat

Territory Lead

I'd never bring in any personal circumstances into a salary negotiation. Build your case on numbers and facts, not appealing to your managements' human side (given, there is one).

SalesMama

Executive

Senior Account Executive

Switch companies or start interviewing for a higher base if you’re overall under for the market. Way more probable to succeed in getting you the raise you want (and maybe more)

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tuaanon

Advice needed for raise

25 comments

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