Lexer profile picture
Lexer profile picture

Lexer

Sales Development Representative

Catalyst
Valued Contributor
Good Citizen
+3

Job Offer and Promotion in One Day… what should I choose ?!

hi everyone! This week has been a pretty crazy one. Backstory, I have been interviewing for new Sdr/bdr postions because of some issues I had with my current role (unreachable quotas, 0% on target consistently) low base salary (42k) so basically an unliveable wage for NYC. I expressed concern to management a few months back and at this quarter review, they announced they wanted to make me an AE! (kinda create a new role for me, an AE that handles only outbound/prospects myself) only problem is I found out from another AE that their base salary is only 45k and they were having the same issue with unobtainable goals, and that earning potential isn't great 

I received a job offer for a BDR role for another tech start up. company seems great and on the rise, but some cons include hybrid office structure. there are only two employees in NYC and I would be the third (two men, and I am a woman). which isn't the worst, but of course not ideal. the company is growing so that might not be a forever issue. they offered 65k base with 20k OTE and ensured 70% of the team is meeting quota. 

So war room, what would you do? take the promotion for a higher title and comfort? or would you take the new position and take the risk for some more money? 

Please Read above before voting !

Attached poll
*Voting in this poll no longer yields commission.
🤝 Interviewing/Offer
💯 Promotions
☁️ Software Tech
23

30 comments

Sort by:
CuriousFox
WR Officer
12
🦊
Do what's best for you and your family.
jefe
Arsonist
1
🍁
This is always the right answer.
Lexer
Catalyst
0
Sales Development Representative
I don’t have a family. Just a boyfriend and we are getting an apartment together at the end of the year. So money is pretty important, but also of course happiness at my job lol
detectivegibbles
Politicker
2
Sales Director
Assuming a few things here so apologies if I am off base...

Sounds like you're younger (no family) and still early on in your sales career.

Your current SDR/BDR role - you said your salary is low, unattainable quota.

The new AE position, the increase in salary is a small difference of $250 a month with what sounds like an unattainable quota.

The job offer sounds like an immediate improvement in quality of life. $1666 increase in monthly salary plus commissions, but a con is the hybrid office structure, particularly that it's with (2) men?

That may be a fixed mindset, what if the two men can help improve your network and accelerate your career? And on the flip side, what if you're bringing certain experiences, ideas, and skills that help them and in turn, they recommend you for a promotion?

Regardless, congrats on the job offer(s), certainly not the easiest decision but trust your gut. It's usually right!
jefe
Arsonist
5
🍁
Take the AE role but look for a better fit at the same time.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Tough one for sure. I'd lean toward taking the promotion and continuing to look for other roles on the outside. While the pay bump sounds great at the new company, the risk of joining a start up isn't ideal right now, and you admit you're not thrilled with the set up.

I'm agreeing with jefe - take the AE promotion while you look. You will be able to leverage that AE title for the next role, which could be a huge benefit.
bandabanda
Tycoon
1
Senior AE Mid Market
Solid advice, didn’t think about leveraging the title for a jump elsewhere when I wrote my post.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
That's what the WR is for - those things you might not have thought of. Leverage the hive mind of savages!
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
1
Bravado's Resident Asshole
take more money for now and keep looking. Unless you can hold out and keep looking.
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
wow. this is a really tough call to be honest.

My first thought is to take the AE role because that can help advance your career.

BUT

you HAVE to be able to live off what you make.

When you think about the new BDR role with a higher base, do you feel like you will happy in that role outside of the money?
Lexer
Catalyst
0
Sales Development Representative
So right now, I can’t afford rent and keep up with my lifestyle with what I am making so for sure something has to change. And 3k won’t cut it. So I guess I have to give up going out on weekends? Not fun.

But of course, being an AE will help advance my career. But at that pay? Seems a little insulting.

Would I be as comfortable in the new position, prob not. But because it is so new, I guess opportunity for growth is also very possible as they hire new BDRs, I will be most senior.

It’s a tough one for sure
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
yeahh i feel you. I might lean toward taking the higher paying SDR role then. this wont be your ONLY opportunity to become an AE thats for sure, and when that time comes, even if its with a different company you will have a solid story to go along with it.
SoccerandSales
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
I would take the promotion and try to leverage that when applying elsewhere. Good opportunity to get into an AE role elsewhere. The only caveat is that you may have to bit the bullet with the lower salary in the meantime
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
1
Sales Rep
45k in NYC will be very tough, but if you love the AE role and the company go for it.
Pachacuti
Politicker
1
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
It sounds like where you are at is a dead end. What is keeping you there?
bandabanda
Tycoon
0
Senior AE Mid Market
^ yup. Based on what she wrote, I was asking myself “why is staying even an option?”
RedLightning
Politicker
1
Mid-Market AE
Hard to answer without knowing the space, your financial situation, what's important to you career wise, etc.
Filth
Politicker
1
Live Filthy or Die Clean
I say new BDR role, see if it its legit while collect the checks and working to see if room for growth. Otherwise look for greener. I mean NYC 65k can't be a livable base itself can it? But it's an improvement in the immediate. Hybrid isn't too bad, might even help you get a real feel for the company.
Anker
Opinionated
1
SAE (Senior Account Executive)
If you’re young/new to sales, I say make the move so you can breathe. I’m not clear what is “not ideal” for you about the office: Is it being with 2 men, the space, or having to go into an office instead of working 100% remote?
Perhaps an AE promotion is not so far off at the new company. Is the AE title really worth basically the same scenario and pay?
You say the new company “seems great and on the rise.” I don’t hear the same about your current role. I agree with @detectivegibbles having to work with colleagues in an office has benefits you can’t get anywhere else in terms of hearing other approaches and techniques, getting information about product, customers, management, culture. I go into the office a couple times a month just to get that myself.
But still, always be looking anyway.
Flounder1
1
AM (Account Manager)
The fact that you aren’t comfortable about the new job and you aren’t even there I feel Iike is a sign in itself. Personally I would take the new position and see if you can negotiate to 50k. Unfortunately you’ll have to make sacrifices from time to time but nothing last forever
Gasty
Notable Contributor
0
War Room Community Manager
+1
Lexer
Catalyst
1
Sales Development Representative
I TOOK THE NEW JOB! Super excited and happy with my decision. Thanks to everyone for your advice. LOVE MY SAVAGES
Gasty
Notable Contributor
0
War Room Community Manager
💛💛
km22
Opinionated
1
Account Executive
Play the long game.

Take the AE role, give your company a shot for another year.

If it doesn’t work out then your resume shows you were promoted at your company and have a year of AE experience under your belt. This makes you a very attractive candidate and you could go somewhere else with twice your salary or more.
aleabith
Good Citizen
1
Director general
I will choose the best option that I see fit for me
SalesDonkey8
Member
1
Account Executive
Agree with CuriousFox, it’s always what’s best for you. Companies aren’t beholden to sales reps, so why reciprocate with loyalty?
Wellss
Tycoon
0
Channel sales
I've learned that the grass isn't always greener with more money. We had a girl that left our company to make double somewhere else & ended up coming back 3 months later because of the culture stunk & the new company was unorganized. So if you're not completely sold on this new job offer, I would keep looking for a position that you're more excited about!
Diablo
Politicker
0
Sr. AE
Take your call as it depends upon your circumstances and priority. If money is an issue and non negotiable - BDR, if career - AE
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
0
Rolling 20's all day
AE position or keep looking. Always look to level up.
bandabanda
Tycoon
0
Senior AE Mid Market
Caveat - follow your gut. You’ll learn more long-term.

But my opinion is take the BDR role OR look for an AE role elsewhere.

Don’t stay at the current company if you know your team AND the AE team isn’t hitting goals. You’re enticed to stay most likely because of fear of change and/or maybe you’re like me and a people pleaser. But looking at this objectively based solely on what you’ve typed in the post, staying would be foolish and not worth the tiny increase in base (which is hardly anything).

In the past 3 years my salary went from 30k, to 55k, to 80k because I made the jump to sell better products to bigger companies and be challenged personally in my sales career. Every jump I felt unprepared and like I was going to fail. Each time it was worth it. Make the jump one way or another!

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