Hi folks, need advice on the following situation: Offer A (Cybersecurity) 300k USD OTE (50/50) 150k USD stock options/4 years Good benefits (fully paid OTE on parental leave etc) 1st 3 months guarantee 9 months ramp Big patch (non-US) $2m+ pipeline Offer B (Finops) 370k USD OTE (50/50) 30k usd stock options/4 years So-so benefits (no parental leave, dependent coverage at own cost) No guarantee 6 months ramp Big patch (non-US) but smaller than Offer A $1m+ pipeline Which offer is better?

Confused Dude

Job offer advice needed

Hi folks, need advice on the following situation:

Offer A (Cybersecurity)

300k USD OTE (50/50)
150k USD stock options/4 years
Good benefits (fully paid OTE on parental leave etc)
1st 3 months guarantee
9 months ramp
Big patch (non-US)
$2m+ pipeline

Offer B (Finops)

370k USD OTE (50/50)
30k usd stock options/4 years
So-so benefits (no parental leave, dependent coverage at own cost)
No guarantee
6 months ramp
Big patch (non-US) but smaller than Offer A
$1m+ pipeline

Which offer is better?

Attached poll

97%

Offer A

Offer B

💰 Compensation

🧠 Advice

🤝 Interviewing/Offer

30 comments

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Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

ERP Sales

Comparing these I would go A, but I would make the decision based on Product Market Fit, Manager/Leadership during the interview/What current former reps say/average quota attainment

Both are founder led sales motions, but an interesting point is that the CRO for A has been around for more than 5 years (first sales hire) while B had its 3rd CRO-ish person ever since starting the business in 2019. There is more stability in A I feel.

FinanceEngineer

Politicker

Sr Director, sales and partnerships

The rotation of sales leadership means that you will be tossed the second you miss your numbers.

Yes that's the risk with B tbh

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

What are you leaning towards more?

The "earn more potential OTE" heart is yearning for B, but the "wants stability/income guarantee" brain went for A

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

If you're about to have a baby then stability is very important important.
I got into cybersecurity when I found out we were expecting. I was at a data analytics startup and wanted something with more job security. Best decision I ever made.

Filth

Tycoon

Live Filthy or Die Clean

I don't see enough data on base here to make a good decision but A for the parental type benefits.

Indeed. The guarantee helps too + longer ramp for A

RandyLahey

Politicker

Account Executive

Both offers are great, really depends on your situation. If your situation warrants a higher threshold for risk, then B, but frankly A sounds better on most fronts.

I think if I didn't have any commitments (kids and all), B seems a suitable choice (like you said)

RandyLahey

Politicker

Account Executive

I've made the mistake chasing higher potential OTE, and frankly the offer from A is juicy enough that I would take it. Godspeed.

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

Stability (A) all day, then!

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Is parental leave important to you? I assume it is because you bring it up. And if i is, then a solid benefits package is VERY important.

As a rule, I never trust OTE unless they can document it and show me how I WILL hit it (never happens). So base is #1 to me. Stock options are nice if you think they'll be worth anything when they vest. MY experience is that its not that common.

I went with A.

Yup super important as expecting one next year...

medhardwaredr

Politicker

Director of Sales NA

I don’t see much of a challenge with your options. Go A

Feels like A wants to give more skin in the game. I did ask for more equity from B; the original value they offered was 6k lesser

Armageddon

Opinionated

Enterprise Account Executive

A all day.. I'll take a less base for more opportunity and stability. Your point about the CRO tenure says it all-- A invests in their people, B throughs money at the problem and never looks inward.

Final point, Cybersecurity is becoming one of the most important line items in a businesses tech-stack

Sunbunny31

Arsonist

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Two great offers, congratulations.

I went with A because of the benefits. Stock options are nice, but obviously not guaranteed.

Like Kosta, I would want to know about PMF in both cases. What’s your past experience been in, and can you ramp quickly in either?

Based on past experience, it is aligned with A, so in terms of familiarity, network would be smoother as well. B is in the Finops space so in a way more niche. Both roles are founding AEs in the region kind.

Sunbunny31

Arsonist

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

A sounds best to me. But honestly, two great offers. Nicely done and a great problem to have.

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

Bigger TAM for security, no?

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

Like professional sports always take the guarantees, Option A

True, confirmed>potential

FinanceEngineer

Politicker

Sr Director, sales and partnerships

I usually pick the higher OTE, but it also depends on the pipe you are getting and territory. Assuming no pipe, the higher territory would be better. I can also offer you $500k OTE but a shit patch or no ramp, and kick you out when you don’t hit and hire someone cheaper with an established pipe.
It is all in the details these days.

The pipe and territory is quite similar, with A marginally better than B. To your point, A seems more stable with regards to sales attrition

MRK47

Tycoon

Head of Growth

Based on info shared, stability is key....while Option B generates approx. $54K in additional OTE potential each year (after factoring in dependent/family insurance costs), it becomes less meaningful if you're not around long enough to benefit from it (due to org instability, not your ability)....sounds as though option A is more mature as a business (likely has strong sales / marketing processes in place + a CRO with domain experience) plus the guarantees during onboarding / ramp indicates a business wanting to set up their team for longer term success rather than unrealistically expecting immediate significant contributions.

Equity option is obviously better with A too but for me, given the number of variables (type of options, vesting schedule, exit timelines etc) it's not the primary decision driver as more often than not, doesn't quite work out as planned.