cashqueen

Enterprise AE

Valued Contributor

Job offer - must decide by Fri - What would you do?

After weeks of interviewing, just received an offer for an Ent AE role. $290K OTE, 50/50 split, 4 month ramp with $20K total draw over 4 months (nonrecoverable).

Thing is, I have final rounds at two other companies next week. I asked to postpone my final decision until next week but they said they "can't guarantee the role will still be open" since they have a few other interested candidates. (But assure me I'm their "first choice.") "This headcount is already figured into our numbers for the year and we need to fill it to reach revenue targets."

My first instinct is to call their bluff (and continue with the other final interviews); but I also don't want to lose the offer and end up with nothing.

What would you do?

Not-yet-asked-FAQs:

1) Currently, this offer is my first choice, but I have collected more data points bc I've gone through the full process. My two other opportunities are earlier stage interviews so I can't compare apples to apples. My goal is to get all details from all three opportunities before deciding (but I know that might be unrealistic).

2) I have the personal financial runway to be picky (ie - I'm not desperate). (But also think that if all three jobs were on the table, I might likely take this first offer.)

🤝 Interviewing/Offer

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Celebrated Contributor

Call the other companies and tell them about this situation. Ask to see what an "offer would look like" if you were to get one so you can compare them if you want.
If it's your first choice, start negotiating and it may buy you a day/weekend to decide.
They don't care about the other offers, they want to fill the seat. The other companies if you are on the top of the pile will expedite you and overshare what the offer "could" look like if they are legit.
Lastly - you can accept the offer and continue to interview. If one sounds way better as you get through the process just reach back out to this original company and say I've decided to take another offer. They're putting your feet to the fire, sure you might slightly burn a bridge but... they'd do the same thing to you.

Valued Contributor

Good advice re: telling the other companies; the challenge is that one is legit OOO at a Revenue Kick Off all week and the other's main leaders are speaking at a conference/traveling, so next week is the earliest we can proceed....

I know a lot of ppl will suggest your last point (take it and keep looking), but I don't know if I can sleep at night if I do that.....

Celebrated Contributor

Interesting - a company I'm waiting on an offer from is at RKO this week as well :) -- I pushed to get an answer this week from them. Hoping to get an update by EOD tomorrow. I think when they know there's an expiring offer on the table, they will find 30 mins between sessions to talk to you. I know the last point is semi-shitty but so is an offer that is exploding. Are you more keen to compare comp or want more time to sus out the companies before committing?

Valued Contributor

It's less about the comp; more the latter.

Celebrated Contributor

unless they can hold your offer, i can't think of a creative way outside of accepting with delayed start date while you continue shopping.

Senior Sales Executive

I second this!

poweredbycaffeine

What’s wrong with accepting the offer, setting a start date two weeks out, and rescinding if the other opps come up better? I used to say to never do this, but in this market I say anything goes.

Sr Sales Executive

In this market, they'd do it to a rep in a hot second, so I think the advice is sound.

Celebrated Contributor

agreed - you can love a company but a company will never love you back.

Lead Business Development Manager

I would also say don't do this but this company is forcing your hand. Also, consider if you want to work for a company that is willing to drop you if something else comes along that might be better/cheaper.

RelationshipMaker

Agree with this. Loyalty in this market is a scarce thing....

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Accept the first offer. Bird in hand…
Keep looking at the other companies and see what they might do for you.

SaaS Account Executive

I just went through this scenario. I'll tell you what I did...
I started the position for a week or two to determine if it's for me. I then gave my notice and took job 2 after determining it wasn't for me.
It gives you a chance to feel it out.

senior account executive

This. All fucking day. They wouldn’t hesitate for a second and let you go for the exact same reason. Don’t go soft on these companies.

Anything wrong with accepting the offer with a somewhat delayed start date to buy you a little time? If you’re still considering other opportunities that seem promising (the role, competitive comp, etc), what’s wrong with continuing your conversations? Sounds like you’re being backed into a corner. You’d hate to give up another opportunity that you may find even more attractive— right? People do this all the time. You need to do what’s right for you (and your family if that applies).

Account Executive

Call the other companies to explain the situation. IF they can't do anything playing chicken is not worth it IMO. If it is a top choice they aren't being unreasonable asking you to sign by Friday

What did you decide?

Personal Narrative

SAE (Senior Account Executive)

inquiring minds want to know!

If I know this company is on top of my list I would not delay unless I found any red flags while doing my research about the company - reviews, growth, attainment etc.

Valued Contributor

Yeah - I'm just a little skeptical since I was *just* laid off from another "fast growing, can't fail unicorn!" after they over-hired in our segment..... it's hard to trust any info coming from the company itself.

FinanceEngineer

Sr Director, sales and partnerships

Counter the offer higher, and this will buy you time. Also, let the others know that you have an exploding offer at the countered rate.

Valued Contributor

Staring down at you from the top of the stack rankings

Congrats on the offer! Since it is your first choice, I would accept the offer and keep the interview process going at the other two.

Business Development Manager

Agree with all comments about taking the offer and then bailing (ideally before you started) if you really liked another better. But, I would encourage anyone to ask to talk to a current Ent AE rep that would be on your team to get a first-person perspective of culture, bullshit, etc. (if you don't already know)

sounds like a sweet offer, especially if the other two are early stage (which I'd be suspicious of in the current economic state.) You can take it and keep interviewing if you want as well.

Lead Business Development Manager

take the job and then politely withdraw if needed later on.

Account Executive

The canyons and streets are filled with homeless people who could not play hardball. There is no reward for being the nicest or the most ethical. Take the job and quit if you decide the other job looks better. We did not make the game we are just forced to play it. Wall st will cut you if your below a line on a spreadsheet. F em.

SaaS Account Executive

Exactly. Businesses are not loyal, as much as they try to brainwash their employees into thinking they're.

I liked @saaskicker's advice on calling the other up.

Personally I'd accept, say you need a 2 weeks notice, but also had some vacation planned giving you leeway for 3 or 4 weeks (if they want proof, book yourself a vacation)

Then if the others are better, you resign before your first paycheck.

Business Development Executive

I am actually in the process of making a very similar situation.

I have an offer in hand from a job a really like, but is on the bottom of my range for comp (not the most important factor to me anymore). I like the tech, the role, my primary responsibilities, and it offers the best work/life balance (estimating, but very familiar with this employer).

At the same time, I am mid stage interviewing for another role I really like. They will pay at least middle of my comp range. It's also very interesting tech/work, but will require more travel and more stress.

I also have an offer on hold. It's the best job of the 3 and likely the highest paying, but the hiring manager was laid off. When it comes back is TBD.

I've already left my previous role (long story) and like you can afford to be patient/picky. But I don't like the unknown and it's not easy on the family. I'd hate to hold out for more money only to end up with no offers. I'm going to accept and keep interviewing as the start date isn't for a few weeks.

As for your situation, I think you answered your own question. The offer in hand is also your first choice, at least at the moment. Sure, the other jobs may become more appealing as you learn more, but is that likely?
When would you start? I know it's potentially burning a bridge to accept and quickly resign to accept a better role, but you don't HAVE to immediately pull out from the other interviews. Especially if you aren't actually starting the new job right away. You could find yourself with a lot of leverage to negotiate an even better package.

Account Executive

Also, hopefully this is obvious to all of us but I know someone that recently got burned—don’t update your LinkedIn till you’ve been with the company a couple of months. Nearly anything can change in 90 days and never hurts to be safe and quiet till you’re sure.

Director of Sales

Take the job . Full stop.

Senior Sales Manager

My first question would be: why not take the offer?
Or as Ted Lasso would put it. You listen to your gut and on your way down to your gut check in with your heart.

Reading your post I wonder why you are waiting. It’s a compelling offer. What is stopping you?

VP/Director of Sales

If it’s your first choice, you should accept it. Feel free to counter if it’s not what you want!

Valued Contributor

Negotiate like your life depends on it... cause it does.

Anyone I hired who didn't ask for more money or something from the first offer was a red flag... so don't be a red flag.

But if they give you what you want, suck it up and take the gig.

Enterprise Sales

At this level, +/- 10-20k isn’t going to make a difference. If you’re most excited about the first company and you believe in the product/think you can make the most money there….might be the best choice

Twice in my career I was SOLD and given a short time to make a decision. There is always a reason and I learned to ask to speak to my soon to be peers with the company or request to shadow for a day before making a blind decision.