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Do we price ourselves out of big brand names if we are in startup world for too long?

Even though I did not want to, I recently took a job at a Series C startup as an AE. My base is six figures. However, when I was interviewing at Salesforce, my base was in the high 70s for a similar AE role.

The more I move forward in my career, the less brand name companies seem to make sense. Like do I want to take a 20k paycut in base for just a brand name on my resume? What if the territory is smaller? What if the comp plan sucks? What if its way more work for way less pay?

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BmajoR

Arsonist

Account Executive

I find myself asking this same question. I have friends that work or have worked at household name companies and the one thing they all say is that it was the catalyst in their career to new heights.

These companies have reached these levels of success for a reason, and to be indoctrinated into their sales process is very valuable. Those are things you'll be able to take with you wherever you go, and if you can be successful at a company like Salesforce, then you're guaranteed to get looked at favorably next time you interview.

Is it fair or logical? No. But that's the way the world works.

Now, I think it comes down to what you want out of your career. Personally, I think that a balance of experience on both sides will give you all the tools you need to do whatever you want in life. That's the direction I'm going at least.

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

Straight wisdom right here. Many of us thrive in the psychosis of early stage companies. Personally, I like to create internal solutions that lead to external solutions. That’s where my personal satisfaction comes from. If that’s not you- cool. If it is- cool. You’re the one that’s got to put the uniform on every day. Figure out what gratifies you. Get that gig.

-1

Limited Partner

This is incredibly bad advice. Selling for big established brands like Salesforce is like selling insulin to diabetes patients. It’s easy to move from small to big, very very hard to move from big to small.
Comp is similar, risk of RIF is similar, upside and skill development a lot higher at pre-ipo companies.

BmajoR

Arsonist

Account Executive

Everyone and everything I know says you're wrong, but that's okay. Maybe in your time that was the case, but times change.

ryan_howard

Politicker

Director, Business Development

This doesn’t align with my experience at all. Selling large B2B is nothing like selling insulin to diabetics.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

I priced myself out of reality a long time ago. It’s a badge of honor and a scar of success.

countingmyinterest

Politicker

Account Executive

I joined a well-known logo, not blue chip, but definitely a household SaaS name. I was underpaid AF, but I got promoted internally and it allowed me to get 70% more in base and OTE compared to my last gig.
My network became excruciatingly stronger bc of it and my social clout too.
I would love to join another large company, but am just taking apps for startups until the economy changes and hiring loosens up.
All my friends at blue-chips that were "right place, right time" made bank during COVID and they have well established PMF.
Are they better salespeople? Who knows, but having a great company to sell for expedites the sales process.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

Sales Rep

What would make you want to take a 20k paycut?
If it doesnt make sense and you like start ups stay in that area!

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

I was wondering if I had missed something here too 🤔

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Worked for a big tech company, was "capped out" for my role at the algorithms they apply (area, role, tenure, etc), while they'd still hire in new employees for the same role at a higher rate. This means that being a boomerang is a real thing with these companies.
SMB and MM roles will earn less than EAE or SAE; so that base may have been because it was for a starter role.
That said, there is something to be said for having the gorilla in the room as your logo, as well as the training and support you'll get. I have found all those good habits and training to be very helpful with the smaller company I'm at now.
There are pros and cons to everything, and if you're happy where you are and are earning $$, there's no real need to move.
There's also nothing wrong with telling a recruiter for that company that the salary is significantly less than what you're earning today. They're also negotiating.
Finally, those bigger companies come with significant benefits that smaller companies may not match. My benefits here are not quite as nice, but they're still close enough for me to not matter, but it's something to pay attention to. We also don't get as many paid holidays - something else to ask about. It may or may not matter, but perks like that do add up and can be considered part of the total package.

butwhy

Politicker

Solutions Engineer

Stability used to be the answer, before big tech layoffs. Although there is nothing less stable than a Series C company which is usually trying to grow and execute at the same time and doing neither well. Sooo YMMV across the board, really.

But I actually increased my OTE 100k by going to big tech, although for a slightly different role, and I am increasing the scope of how I think and how I sell. I am going to emerge from this stint with a heck of a Rolodex and experience I could never get at a startup. And my 401k match is INSANELY good. Big Brand Names still have their place in a career, but that place just has to be carefully defined and deliberate.

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

I don’t know if the SF really paid less for the same job. Did you get to where you were negotiating pay or was that just what they told it or what was posted?

That said, plenty of start ups offer the big base and comp plan but can’t sustain them. They entice you to leave the big name with more pay or a title and <1 year later you’re looking for a new job.

But big companies aren’t immune to lay offs and bad financial decisions either. So I guess the lesson learned is go for the $$ while you can.

HVACexpert

Politicker

sales engineer

There is some security and other things with big brand. Like having a company car, better insurance options, or better 401k matching. These are things that definitely count toward some dollars and should be taken into consideration.

My thing has always been culture, whether old or new, small or big, company culture is the biggest thing and that’s hard to figure out before you work there

SaaSguy

Tycoon

Account Executive

Salesforce and other big companies have better benefits (insurance, etc) than start ups IME. I work at a mature startup, work closely with SFDC AE's

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

Startups have to pay more to attract talent whereas bigger brands do not because they have more access to talent from their brand name. It's the reality.

GDO

Politicker

BDM

The big names have this pricing power. However, why would you choose to earn less? Just work for the company that pays the most and makes you happy. The brand names only help you to find a new job quicker when you're laid off. However, if you're in a successful startup it does not matter.

CorporateSis

Contributor

Account Executive

I don't think it's only about the salaries, but also about the benefits. Companies like Salesforce are known to not have the highest compensation at all times, but what they do very often give you is wellness reimbursements, education reimbursements, flexible working (depending on manager, of course), a LOT of paid parental leave for both parents, above average sick days and PTO, and even things like IVF/surrogacy reimbursement, time off for pregnancy loss, immaculate healthcare plans and pensions... The list goes on.
Often those smaller organisations have a higher salary, but the total package is often worth less. Unless you find yourself in extremely nice start-up that offers this and more, but I haven't seen that often yet...

And this on top of the fact that they will indeed literally hire you almost everywhere once it's on your CV.

emerge.life

Valued Contributor

Field Sales Development Executive

I wouldn't worry too much about it. I'm working for a big corporation and they're always hiring from everywhere they can.You'll be surprised, they are valuing startup shenanigans and initiative.

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

I cannot speak about OTE but there are other tangible benefits - training, benefits, network etc.

CRAG112

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

It's true. A lot of the bigger companies will pay a ton less and expect a ton more work than what you might do at a Startup.

Also, big or small, any size company can fuck you. Get yours while you can.

Sassy

Good Citizen

Platform Sales AE

I think getting the big brand stamp on the resume has value but once you have it, I find startup sales culture and comp to be so much better than big tech company sales culture

SaaSyMum

Executive

AE (Account Executive)

Heard the phrase “ you take a career to learn or earn”? If you get both, amazing, if you don’t get either, peace out. But if you get one, that’s good so take advantage of whatever it is. Decide what that is for right now if your life.

Irishman

Catalyst

Business Consultant

Worked for a big industry leader at the beginning of my career and very grateful I did as they had the best sales training ever. Been with other big brand players, some of the biggest in their industry, and they were awful. Some brands sound much better then they actually are and there is no doubt they help you get your foot in the door at other businesses (hence why people still put "ex-Google", "ex-salesforce" on their LinkedIn profiles - I absolutely hate it because it either means you couldn't cut it or you think your current company is crap so either way, why should I work with you???).
So basically what I am getting at is you could find a brilliant start-up or a brilliant big brand but you need to do your due diligence either way

kneehigh

Politicker

Senior Enterprise AE

When your new and it’s your first day 3-5 years in sales then I would absolutely go for a big name to get proper skills, experience and network. Just learning things the right way with a structured training and not have to unlearn some BS you got told from a veteran.

Then take these skills and join a startup- roll the dice a few times and see where it goes. Your upside should be much higher at a startup, so you should always bring trying to maximize that through commission and equity/options.

Also I just love the entrepreneurial atmosphere of a startup and working on more problems than just sales. You really learn lots of other parts of the business like product, marketing and customer success making you a great all around trusted adviser for your prospects and clients

LeadMachine

Opinionated

Sr. BDR

Also if big brand names are always hiring, without market growth that's a red flag. Sales is only cannon fodder to them an not respected, the role or those filling it. You'd be there to increase sales "incrementally". Is that going to help you make your goal? No but you might get a couple deals in the door, their goal, and then it's cya layer time - you didnt make quota. Then they do it all over again.

cap

Opinionated

Enterprise Sales

Not necessarily, all about the skills you develop and the stories you can tell

01270494

Fire Starter

Account Executive

I just believe that some sellers once they hit a certain tenure want some kind of stability and I think that these large companies i.e Salesforce, Oracle etc provide that. They also usually tend to have better processes in place vs a startup.

SalesMama

Executive

Senior Account Executive

I think it is all about balance. If you started or had 3-5 years at a big company early and n in your career, you can spend more time at startups and still “boomerang back” (not the right word since that would be joining the exact same company, but the same concept) after many years if you crave the pros of big tech. again. IMO, opportunity at big tech can still be found with the perfect role… it’s in the accelerators

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Do we price ourselves out of big brand names if we are in startup world for too long?

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