JuicyKlay

Is an AE salary really not negotiable?

Received a job offer today and love just about everything expect the salary which is $30k lower then it needs to be. Met with the recruiter and hiring manager and told them they needed to at least meet me in the middle. They’re saying salaries for AE’s are fixed and not negotiable and for me to get back to them by end of week and let them know if I want the job or not. What would you do in this situation?

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paddy

WR Officer

Director of Business Development

If it's not what you can afford, you have to be okay with standing firm and walking away if there's no wiggle room on their end. There are plenty of other companies that will be happy to negotiate with you based on experience/results.

JuicyKlay

Celebrated Contributor

They know my experience/results are worthy of higher pay. My w2’s prove that as well. They may just be lower ticket sales then they’re letting on and can’t afford to pay competitive salaries.

CRAG112

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

Could be true. They could also be trying to get a deal.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

At some large shops, it's a standardized base across the org for that role. You can either take it or leave it, but they are unlikely to budge, especially in this market.

funcoupons

WR Officer

👑

My company is not large and still has this policy. Everyone starts at the same base salary, and gets salary bumps based on the exact same markers as everyone else. Commission structure is the same for everyone as well.

Honestly, I like it. I'm all for negotiation, but it really does cause issues in a company when someone finds out the person that does the exact same job as them makes 10k more. Some can say "well, maybe they negotiated harder," but it can also be that the hiring manager was playing favourites/nepotism.

JuicyKlay

Celebrated Contributor

Hmm I can see how this can prevent conflict and make things easier on the hiring end.

funcoupons

WR Officer

👑

Definitely. Salary transparency goes so far in creating a good environment, culture wise. I hear horror stories from people who work for other companies that don't do this.

JuicyKlay

Celebrated Contributor

Interesting. It’s a 300 person shop so doesn’t seem that large but you might be right.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

I can tell you that at the orange-themed marketing platform in Cambridge, MA they paid all AEs the same base (with variation for standard, partner, or enterprise). Didn't matter if you were the big swinger hopping on the cult train, you were getting the same as that mid-tier rep joining your training class.

TheRealTommyCallahan

Arsonist

President of Callahan Auto

I worked at a place where they would not budge at all. Outside hires or internal promotions were set salaries. I hate it.

JuicyKlay

Celebrated Contributor

I’ve always worked at places where you were encouraged to negotiate salaries. Isn’t that part of the interview process?

TheRealTommyCallahan

Arsonist

President of Callahan Auto

It should be! All the other places I have interviewed at are very flexible and negotiate. Just had this one experience. It was awful. It was my first sales job too so I didn't think twice about it. I would never do that again. Someone should pay you what you think you're worth, especially if it's lower than your current or past employer.

funcoupons

WR Officer

👑

It's certainly possible that there isn't room for negotiation in this case. The company may be adhering to a very strict budget, or maybe all employees start at the same salary and giving a new hire something higher is totally against policy.

I would tell them that unless they're willing to negotiate on salary, you'll have to decline their offer and see how they react. It may be legit the best they can do or they may be trying to see how cheap they can get people.

JuicyKlay

Celebrated Contributor

Good points! And yes, I’m prepared to tell them that this week.

TheFemaleWolf

Opinionated

Director of Sales

If you don't ask, you'll never know.

hauru.sales

Celebrated Contributor

Sales Enthusiast

Agreed

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

Do you have other offers? You can point blank say to them look if I accept this role in going to be motivated to look elsewhere as the salary doesn’t meet my needs. Also we’re you clear with them that your minimum salary was 30k higher than what they offered?

JuicyKlay

Celebrated Contributor

I have other offers coming in this week and yes I was clear I liked everything about the job but needed a higher base.

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

Yeah I’d tell them to go pound sand with their offer in that case. Think about it it’s a huge red flag. They won’t play ball now when you don’t work for them yet what are they gonna do when you are there

JuicyKlay

Celebrated Contributor

Didn't even think about it from that perspective but you're absolutely right. If they can't wiggle internally with salary, I can only imagine how challenging customer negotiations would be.

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

Customer negotiations, advocating for career growth, bringing in new ideas. I’d run and fast

ounceoz

WR Officer

US Sales Director

Totally agree, if you were clear upfront and they didn't let you know the base is $30k lower it isn't worth your time.

Theloanemperor

Opinionated

Loan Officer

Haven't had a salary in my industry, i'd say if the commission is solid, have faith and bust ass!

JuicyKlay

Celebrated Contributor

You are a braver man than I am!

Theloanemperor

Opinionated

Loan Officer

have a process and stick to it. follow up is so important. developing a relationship with that person is even more important. Ask to take whomever the actual buyer of the product is, the decision maker, to a coffee, a meeting at their office, or lunch/dinner, whatever you can do to build a relationship is vital. You can do it man, i'm not braver, i'm in a sink or swim environment financially and i gotta swim! If the commission structure will definitely lead to you ultimately making 300k/yr after you've worked for however much time, couple years whatever; if it enables you to make an uncapped amount of money based on your performance, take it.

CaneWolf

Politicker

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

That doesn't sound like a good place to go. I've never run into non-negotiable salaries before.

JuicyKlay

Celebrated Contributor

Thanks for input! This is my first time coming across this as well.

CaneWolf

Politicker

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

This also indicates that you won't have room to negotiate on raises/promotions as well.

softwaresails

Politicker

Sales Manager

This can be the case. There are a lot of orgs I’ve come across that have the same base pay for all of their AEs. The better AEs always make more money but it’s set up in a way where the hunters / sales pros who hustle are rewarded in way higher commissions.

It never hurts to ask about a higher base but just because you ask it doesn’t mean you’ll get it.

JuicyKlay

Celebrated Contributor

Sound advice! I think this may be a ask but don’t get it kind of place.

thegreatestsalesperson

Tycoon

Usually companies have some type of bands that they want to stick with, but with that being said you should be able to negotiate some. Also highly recommend checking out repvue and Glassdoor + current/ previous reps to find out what pay they have been given. Not everyone is willing to share but often find that many are willing to help out!

JuicyKlay

Celebrated Contributor

Checking both of those and messaging some current cool looking reps on LinkedIn to see what they have to say.

ryan_repvue

Good Citizen

founder

I don't know your personal situation but to be honest I always recommend negotiating salary. In this particular case you should be confident in your worth and know that this is a candidates market and do not settle. This will be a candidates market for a long time, too. I live mainly in the tech and software arena and I can tell you they are ALL hiring.

ChicagoCloser1717

Politicker

New Business Development Representative

Find another sales job. Thats an insultingly big gap for your talents. I worked at a larger company that had standardized pay...good reps would leave cause they underpaid

JuicyKlay

Celebrated Contributor

I appreciate the advice! I think you’re absolutely right

salesdriver

Business Development Manager

In my opinion, that says a lot about the culture overall. In my experience this can be a sign of mediocrity. If salary isn't negotiable, what is? I'd pursue other options.

Littlesaleslady

Valued Contributor

Territory Sales Manager

It’s negotiable for sure!

Blackwargreymon

Politicker

MDR

Interesting. It’s a 300 person shop so doesn’t seem that large but you might be right.

letsgo

Good Citizen

Strategic AE

easily 1/2 the time it won't be. Depends on what market you are in.

ounceoz

WR Officer

US Sales Director

Ideally, you vet that out early in the interview process. As recruiters reach out I generally tell them upfront the range I will need for OTE and what % is base Vs. variable. This way you don't waste your time.

Brbman01

Opinionated

Account Executive

Depends- Ive had jobs where the salary was the salary, I've had some where I was able to negotiate.

I've found that the best way to get what you want is to state your number upfront and don't waiver. My current job they told me the OTE was X and I told them I wouldn't leave my job for less than X + 10k base. Pushed back the entire way but as I progressed it was clear they had the room to offer me my number and that what was on the offer.

Just need to be prepared to walk away.

saaskicker

Celebrated Contributor

Enterprise AE

If the salary is not negotiable ask for a signing bonus.

Clashingsoulsspell

Politicker

ISR

If he doesn't this makes a great idea for a new one

MR.StretchISR

Politicker

ISR

If he doesn't this makes a great idea for a new one

CRAG112

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

Hard balling is what it sounds like. But if they won't budge and you know you cannot budge either, don't take it.

You could also try the salesy-ness tactic.

I really appreciate the job offer, and I am so excited to work here, but the offer is $30,000 below what the average market for my talents is right now.

I can only imagine you really want someone to be here long term. Help you meet your own sales goals, and be a partner to your own efforts, which would further align with your managements goals.

If you really don't think it's possible to accommodate for the best talent out there right now, it's going to be a massive shame to not work together. But I understand that sometimes, the world turns on a different accord than what we wish it did.

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JuicyKlay

Is an AE salary really not negotiable?

45 comments

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