SaaSam

Account Executive

Acclaimed Answer

Help me with this decision.

So I definitely want to leave my company. Been interviewing for quite a while. Am near an offer with one company but still have a few steps to go. Solid product, easy sell, near limitless market. Culture so far seems pretty good but everyone is on their best behavior during interviews. The salary range is 110 to 150k USD supposedly with OTE being Double.

Today though, one of my ex employers reached out to me and offered me 80k with OTE bing around the 200k mark and this is someone that I believe when he says 200k. The culture at this company is awesome, best I've ever experienced. The ICP is totally nailed down now, ACV is 75k/mo and huge need. These guys are growing fast. Plus there is the added benefit that they already think I hung the moon.

I'm caught in a dilema now because Company A isn't a sure thing still, I was told I'm among the top candidates and the best timeline they could give me to an offer is a week from now. They asked what salary expectation I had and I told them flat that if the range is 110 to 150 that I am shooting for the 150 and he didn't back away but didn't say that he could make it happen.

Company B is expecting an answer tomorrow morning and a start date of this coming Monday. Company B is no gamble at all, I know I will be happy and I know what to expect. I love these guys.

As you can probably tell from the terrible way I've structured this post I can't even think straight.

What do I do???

Which company should I choose?

Attached poll

New company 110 to 150k salary but no offer yet Old company at 80k salary 200k OTE and offer letter in hand

*Voting in this poll no longer yields commission.

🤝 Interviewing/Offer

22

61 comment

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UrAssIsSaaS

Arsonist

8

SaaS Eater

I look at this in a couple ways.

1) How confident are you that you will even get an offer from #1. You dont have an offer and if you dont get one, you're fucked.

2) What do you care about more, culture + trusted management + solid OTE or a lot of unknown with company #1, a higher base, and more risk/uncertainty

I personally would go with #2 for the trusted leadership. If he says people are doing 200k then you can do, and no reason you cant go in and over perform to make up the difference in comp from company #1.

**Edit** - is #2 the company you used to work for or just a leader from that company that is now elsewhere? Because that would change my calculus. Why did you leave? Why would you go back? etc

SaaSam

Politicker

1

Account Executive

#2 company I used to work for before. 2 companies ago. I left for better pay and to remain in sales. I kind of got stuck doing something I didn't want to make a career out of after volunteering to build that department for them.

I would go back because leadership is awesome and trustworthy which is why I believe them 100% when they tell me OTE would be 200k and that I would be 100% in the sales role and nothing else.

UrAssIsSaaS

Arsonist

1

SaaS Eater

Do you think you can go back and do more than the 200k OTE?

SaaSam

Politicker

0

Account Executive

Definitely, plus the CEO is known for selling his companies for 100M+ and there was the mention of equity in a year's time.

UrAssIsSaaS

Arsonist

3

SaaS Eater

If there is equity in a years time, get that shit in writing in your offer. From everything I have read here and the lack of offer from company 1 and the stages I would take #2. Leadership and product market fit are so important to me, this checks both of those boxes.

SaaSam

Politicker

1

Account Executive

Thanks for your input! I'm also leaning that way.

SaaSyBee

Politicker

6

Founder

Don't sleep on the offer you have. You'd be so pissed if you didn't end up getting that other job.

SaaSam

Politicker

0

Account Executive

That's my worry

CuriousFox

WR Officer

5

🦊

Why did you leave?

SaaSam

Politicker

2

Account Executive

Better pay and to stay in sales. Both of which were addressed and won't be an issue

Diablo

Politicker

3

Sr. AE

Hey @SaaSam first of congrats!

Have you already served notice to your existing company or planning to? If not, will you be able leverage your notice period for company B and hold them off while you hear back from company A?

Any way you can ask your ex to consider paying you higher as thats the goal, I assume?

Tough call man !

SaaSam

Politicker

1

Account Executive

I'll serve my notice to my existing company once a decision is made. They fire anyone that puts in 2 weeks anyways so I'm not going to bother.

I don't think ex would be able to do much more at this current time but honestly could see much more in a year or so. Plus, don't want to come across in a negative light for asking for more after they've already offered me quite a bit more than I was making.

Diablo

Politicker

1

Sr. AE

Got it. Then you might want to wait for A. All the best champ, whatever you'd do, you'd do well.

SaaSam

Politicker

0

Account Executive

Thank ya kindly

FamilyTruckster

Politicker

2

Exec Director, Major Accounts

Lean on company A. You’re a hot commodity. If they can’t get you an answer then walk.

SaaSam

Politicker

1

Account Executive

I did try, not too aggressively though, best answer I got from them was that they still needed to do a reference check where I book calls for them with 4 of my references, before they can decide to make an offer or not.

FamilyTruckster

Politicker

2

Exec Director, Major Accounts

Then bye. Tell the other company you need to be closer to 95

SaaSam

Politicker

1

Account Executive

Honestly I'm leaning that direction. Just want to know if it would be stupid of me to pass up on the possibility of 150k base. Maybe I'm just being greedy

FamilyTruckster

Politicker

3

Exec Director, Major Accounts

I’m all about the base, but if you need to move quickly, go for it.

if you have time and feel comfortable, feel it out. Good amount of jobs out there at 80k.

150k vs 80 base is life changing.

90 vs 110 isn’t

SaaSam

Politicker

1

Account Executive

Very good point. Honestly I couldn't guarantee the 150 even, that's just the top of the range. They could come back at the bottom as well which is still really good. One thought I've been having though is if this will be my only chance in life to pull in 150k plus commish

FamilyTruckster

Politicker

2

Exec Director, Major Accounts

If you’re good it won’t be.

SaaSam

Politicker

2

Account Executive

I like to think I am but there are folks better than me making less than me as well. I feel like a lot of that has to do with finding the right company at the right time.

You're right though, I guess the thought is more along the lines of when rather than if.

TheOverTaker

Politicker

2

Senior Account Executive

never been a fan of an exploding offer. any chance they will accept a delayed answer? If not sometimes a bird in hand is better than 110-150k in a bush

SaaSam

Politicker

1

Account Executive

I'm sure they would as they are all super cool. Honestly part of me doesn't want to ask because I don't want to look like I'm turning my nose up at their offer because I really respect these guys.

TheOverTaker

Politicker

1

Senior Account Executive

tough spot. I think honesty never hurts.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

2

☕️

You left for a reason...and they are already starting down a toxic road by giving you a deadline.

SaaSam

Politicker

1

Account Executive

Yeah, honestly the reasons I left were already addressed and I trust them in that regard.

As far as the deadline goes they weren't super stern or anything, just asked if I could start Monday and have a meeting tomorrow morning that they want me to join to give them my answer.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

2

☕️

Only you know what's best for you...but I wouldn't go 20K under your target just to join something you think is a sure thing.

SaaSam

Politicker

0

Account Executive

How would you lean on company A to get an answer before Monday or even tomorrow?

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

5

☕️

I would be blunt: I have an offer on the table for another role with a tight timeline, but I am excited about the opportunity and would like to join your company. What is the anticipated timeline for a decision?

SaaSam

Politicker

1

Account Executive

From your other posts and comments I've gathered you're in sales leadership and have been the hiring manager in many cases.

If someone you had spend 3 weeks interviewing and was "one of the top candidates" told you they needed an answer now, how would you take that? Does it sound like the guy is being an ass and turn you off to the idea of extending an offer or would it cause you to make a decision before finishing the process?

Mind you I've done 7 interviews now with this company including a mock discovery

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

1

☕️

It's more than likely that they have some stupid ass internal process that I, as the sales leader, have to adhere to. However, when I want a top candidate, and they are good enough to tell me they have another offer on the table, I can usually circumvent the process.

There are two outcomes: they expedite you along in the process or they tell you to take that offer while it's hot because you're stuck in HR hell.

Last qualifier: have they asked you for references (if that's part of their process)? That's the sign they are preparing an offer.

SaaSam

Politicker

0

Account Executive

Yes they have, they asked me for 4 to 7 with at least 2 having been direct managers.

They want me to schedule 15 minute calls between each reference and the Chief of Staff.

Also, the Chief of Staff has been my point of contact throughout the whole thing and is essentially the hiring manager. Don't know if that helps

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

1

☕️

I’m changing my mind…fuck this company. They are dragging you along for a wild ride and it seems the HR team is garbage at their jobs if they can’t do their own ref checks. Are you joining the FBI—sheeeeesh.

jefe

Arsonist

0

🍁

PBC hitting all the nails square on the head.

That's a ridiculous hiring process. Reference checks are usually a formality, and should ABSOLUTELY be done by them.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

2

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

You can't discount the power of great leadership. That said, why the rush for company B to hire you immediately? Can you get them to wait a week? If not, why?

SaaSam

Politicker

1

Account Executive

I'm sure I can. They would like an answer by tomorrow morning. I don't want to come across as taking advantage of them to get a better deal and then using them as a fall back in the event that I don't.

I don't think anyone would like to find out they were just a backup plan. Which they aren't as the leadership is really what has me considering going back.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

0

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Great leadership is definitely a plus. What's your gut telling you?

SaaSam

Politicker

1

Account Executive

Gut tells me company B. Wallet tells me A haha but I've never been a successful gambler

Sunbunny31

Politicker

1

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Yeah, that's a big difference if you get the high end. But it's an if at this stage.

SaaSam

Politicker

1

Account Executive

Exactly, that "if" is what has me currently driving myself insane. What if I miss out on a lifestyle changing pay bump? What if I end up with neither? What if I get the pay bump but hate the culture in a few months?

Sunbunny31

Politicker

1

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Well, it is a good market right now, so you can always hold out for more.

My counsel is to not regret a decision and beat yourself up on the "what if". Make a decision for reasons you're happy with at the time, and understand it's nice to be in a position where you have two good choices.

SaaSam

Politicker

1

Account Executive

Very true, I'm beyond grateful for being in this position. Even though I don't have an offer yet from company A it's a good problem to have when you have to decide between 2 good things.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

1

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

I will be the first to admit that sometimes it's easier to not to have to choose! But whatever you decide, make sure you're happy with the reasons and don't sweat the fact that you didn't take the other opportunity.

SaaSam

Politicker

1

Account Executive

Right, it's a matter of going for the sure thing and knowing I'll be happy vs rolling the dice on a potentially much higher pay and possibility of not loving where I work. But, company A could also turn out to have a great culture as well hence my dilemma

Fribbles

Notable Contributor

1

Sales doosh

If they offer you 150k. Take it and don't look back. This would be a no brainer for me. But that's just me. Guaranteed money bro.

UrAssIsSaaS

Arsonist

2

SaaS Eater

Its not a guaranteed 150k, he doesnt have the offer yet.

SaaSam

Politicker

0

Account Executive

Exactly. It's essentially a gamble because I could still not get the offer and then end up with nothing plus an already strained relationship with current company and big desire to GTFO

Fribbles

Notable Contributor

0

Sales doosh

I'm confused. If they offer you 150, then it's a guaranteed salary. Idk. Maybe I'm missing something.

SaaSam

Politicker

0

Account Executive

So 150 is just the top of the range at a place I'm wrapping up interviews at. Haven't gotten an offer on the table from them yet so all of that is still up in the air

Fribbles

Notable Contributor

0

Sales doosh

ok fantastic. My personal mindset is "secure the base" cause I've been in positions where I've heard "oh yeah everyone is hitting their numbers" just to find out that isn't true. Or for example, in current gig. 3 months ago, yes every AE in NAM, 3 of them, were hitting their numbers.... Well yeah that happened because there were a shit ton of MQLS to go around. As in website traffic. fast fwd 3 months and 3 reps has grown to 8 NAM reps. Now people are strugglingg b/c there's less enterprise MQLS to go around and now the reps have to cold call. always good to get the full story. I guess I have OTE PTSD

dwightyouignorantsale

Politicker

1

Account Executive

Working for someone you respect and trust is worth absolute gold. Plus you have sold there before so your ramp time would most likely be less. I would go Company B.

NoSuperhero

Politicker

0

BDR LEAD

Dude why not wait until you get the offer to make the decision?

Only then will you be able to truly evaluate the 2 options, that's what I'd do.

payton_pritchard

Executive

0

RSM

I think option B sounds better as is. But if they like you that much and you have a solid relationship with them I feel like you should be able to make the ask for a bit more time to think and be able to be transparent about other offers and ask for a higher base

DungeonsNDemos

Big Shot

0

Rolling 20's all day

My vote is if you love them, then take the higher OTE.

As many buyers have fears of change, they can trust the devil they know over the devil they don't.

Sounds like you're stuck between two good options?

Justatitle

Big Shot

0

Account Executive

"A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush." "The devil you know is better than the devil you don't." If neither of these have gotten the point across, take the 80k 200 OTE offer since you know what to expect going in and you know it's real.

Upper_Class_SaaS

Politicker

0

Account Executive

Any update on the offer?

aiko

Politicker

0

Sr. Account Executive

Can you ask company A where you stand in the process because you have another offer and you want to give them both a fair shot?

GCK1890

Opinionated

0

Solutions Engineer

After reading the context of your question I'd go with Company B, the old one.

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