Have you ever accepted a pay cut on base?

Question

Wether it’s to stay at a current role because of budget cuts or accepting a role at a new company, etc…

Accepted Answer

No - but I’ve been through belt tightening where we made some cuts in other areas.

Answer

Current role: Base is lower then previous role, but came with no OTE. Equity and straight 15% co-missiles.

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First job out of college they cut everyone’s pay a certain percentage, top of company to bottom, for 6 months to avoid layoffs.

Answer

Luckily never had to deal with it

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Had a startup fall apart after I just joined. Took a pay cut and position drop to start at the current position but in the 2 years have surpassed both pay and title so there are situations where it makes sense but I'd say it's the exception.

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Nope, hard to accept one for me unless it was damn reasonable and for all employees segments with the same exact cut rate to consider equality and definitely has to be temporary.

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Thankfully have not been in that situation and hope I never am forced to be. For a solidly undeniably OTE, it can be reasonable but otherwise would shy away unless I'm between a rock and a hard place.

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Went from $75k base, $150k OTE to $50k base, $75k OTE after a layoff. Had six weeks between offer and start date, so I figured I could accept and still look. Didn't think I would end up actually working here. But almost 5 months in, here I am.

Answer

Focus on what matters, total package.  Base go up or down who cares, as long as OTE is reachable and increasing, why even care, unless you can’t succeed in sales, then sure complain away.

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I took a small paycut going from Overpaid BDR to underpaid AE because nobody else would hire me as an AE without closing experience. It was worth it as 18 months later I got a 50% raise.

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Hardest of nos for me, but I frankly have yet to be confronted with a situation like this.

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I might consider it if I really liked the role/company. Never had to deal with the prospect (yet).

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I have in my early days. Not sure I'd do that again.

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Yes in a previous company, took a hit for 6 months but was justly rewarded when we got back on track and my earnings ended up matching what they should have been for the year anyway, just sat a little bit tighter every month for a period.

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Yes: people were crushing it and I was miserable at a higher-paid job. I came, I saw, I conquered in my first full ramped-up Q and within 2 Qs I got a promotion that got me a higher base. This was during covid times and I had the upper hand since I had more industry experience than the other AEs and I also just put in 1 hor more a day than most. Weight your trade-offs while navigating salary cuts at new jobs

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I was sort of forced to accept at my previous role, my base got slashed in half. Of course, I started looking straightaway and became alumni in about 3 months😅

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Can definitely be worth a small drop in base if you join an early stage start-up from a more established company and lock in some equity. Definitely taking a long term chance, but most of us have some sort of gambling problem ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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I took a 50K base cut to go to a company that ended up IPO'ing and made me 7 figures.

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I may have to now

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My last job cut my base by 10 grand and I walked a week later. I know what I’m worth and won’t work for less. Turned the side hustle into the only hustle.

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Yep mid career I took one at same company as the company reorganized and I had to find a role quickly.  It turned out great I learned new areas of selling and one year later landed a new role in the company for more money.  Nothing is permanent do the job to pay your bills and feed your family and actively pursue what makes you happy.

Answer

Haven't been in the situation, but faced with it - I'm not sure I would be able to accept it. I view com + base as pay though.

CadenceCombat

Have you ever accepted a pay cut on base?

Have you ever accepted a pay cut on base salary?

31 comment

CadenceCombat

Have you ever accepted a pay cut on base?

Have you ever accepted a pay cut on base salary?

31 comment

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