neversettle

SDR

Valued Contributor

Just started new job as a SDR and was sold a bag of lies in the interview. Help please!

Hello there fellow savages! So I'm looking for some solid feedback on how to approach my new managers. So I was interviewing a few months ago and during interviews with this company, they explained that there was a comp plan (in addition to the salary) and gave me a projected number to expect if I meet my goals. So I join this company about a month ago (after turning down another offer with a solid comp plan). I join the company and start asking around about the comp plan. Turns out they are still developing it as its a brand new offering at this company. WHAT?! During the interviews, it sounded like they already had something in place! So I have 2 managers and one of them told me they were working on the comp plan in June and would have it ready by July. I asked the other manager about it and he said he had no idea what I was talking about. That they haven't been working on it. I have come to realize that things move very slowly at this company so it will probably take a few months for them to get something together. What should I do? Should I send my managers an email explaining that the comp plan is an important part of my employment package and that they need to get a move on it? What would you do?

💰 Compensation

26

43 comments

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Rallier

Politicker

13

SDR Manager and Consultant

I don't think it's unreasonable to leave and find a new job (if you can afford to). If they are lying about something as important as compensation I can only imagine the other shady things they do.

funcoupons

WR Officer

6

👑

On point advice as usual.

OP - If you can afford it, bail like...yesterday. If you can't, start looking for new opps immediately and bounce as soon as you find something. Compensation is the entire reason you work (unless you're just some psycho who actually finds fulfillment in sales.)

SlinginSoftware

Politicker

2

Account Executive

One thing to add on the topic of bailing immediately...

We had a change to customer incentives during COVID that I thought at the time was going to COMPLETELY torpedo my entire fiscal year and I would make very little commission. In fact, I had several colleagues walk within a few weeks because they were so pissed off by the change.

In the end, it was HUUUUUGE for business. I ended up making 3x my OTE and made life changing money...

I'm not saying this scenario is typical, but I had an opportunity that I turned down to let things ride for a few more months to see how it would actually play out. If I would have gone with my assumption that it would be terrible, I would have missed out on something huge.

funcoupons

WR Officer

0

👑

I think your situation is different, though. I assume you were being reasonably compensated prior to the announced change? Giving something new a chance vs entering a position with no set comp plan are two different things...

SlinginSoftware

Politicker

0

Account Executive

I mean, isn't this also giving something new a chance??

In my situation, I did have a very fair OTE, but overnight it was announced that we were giving our product away for free for the rest of the year... with NO heads up (thanks marketing 👍). I know that many companies took this path, but Jesus...bit of a gut check at the time.

@Rallier - Did you sign a contract with an OTE?

neversettle

Politicker

0

SDR

I can appreciate this. The people I work with and the job I'm doing are both great so its hard to leave right away. I'd like to give them a chance to fix it.

funcoupons

WR Officer

1

👑

Sure, but there's a difference between bailing on a company you've gotten established with vs this being the first thing you find out when joining a new org.

I think of it like dating. Your husband/wife is going through a personal issue, hopefully you're sticking around to see it through. I would not recommend doing this for someone you've met once.

idk maybe I'm just cold hearted but if the money and organization around money isn't there it's a no from me, dawg. The market is too hot for salespeople to waste time with companies who don't have their shit together.

SlinginSoftware

Politicker

0

Account Executive

Exactly! Make a timeline in your mind...give them an opportunity to make you whole.

Did you contract give a salary? Or an OTE?

neversettle

Politicker

0

SDR

You make a fair point. Thank you!

CaneWolf

Politicker

1

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

Second, I'd leave. Call the other company back and just explain what happened. They might still have a spot.

ExtremeVibeChecker44

Arsonist

4

Inside Sales

You've been there a month with no comp plan? What are you doing?

Are you the first SDR? If not, ask the others discretely how compensation has been working.

Worst case scenario, give it 3-6 months and bounce.

neversettle

Politicker

0

SDR

Yep, I’ve been there a month with no comp plan. I asked the other SDR that’s been there 2 years and he said this is something new that they’re offering.

HoosierDaddy

Valued Contributor

0

SDR

Ignorance really is bliss

neversettle

Politicker

0

SDR

I wouldn't say that I'm ignorant. I'm fully aware of whats going on. Just trying to give them a chance to fix it before I jump ship.

HoosierDaddy

Valued Contributor

0

SDR

I was referring to your coworker that is perfectly fine with not having a comp plan

neversettle

Politicker

0

SDR

Oh gotcha...lol. Yeah, no way in hell I'd go 2 years without a comp plan!

Ozz

Politicker

3

Account Executive

Yeah, huge flags here - give it a 3 months and start looking for another job right now.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

2

🦊

They weren't upfront with you, and they obviously are not communicating internally. Don't stick around for this kind of abuse.

LordOfWar

Tycoon

2

Blow it up

Did you not get any comp plan in writing to sign for your employment agreement?

Don't trust ANYTHING promised verbally, only what is in writing and signed by the boss (CEO/VP/etc).

Now go and use that "promised" OTE as your low bracket for the new job search with the less-stressed feeling of knowing you at least have a job now.

SlinginSoftware

Politicker

1

Account Executive

Not to point out something after the fact, but ALWAYS ask to speak to another rep on the team you might be joining...

This is really rough and hate to hear it. I would give it some time...a few months. I would guess that there were some other things that got you excited in addition to the comp plan?

neversettle

Politicker

0

SDR

Yes, its actually a really good company and I love my coworkers. This is just the main thing that has me disappointed BUT a pretty important thing!

eds

Opinionated

1

Salesy

You can bail, you should start looking for opportunities, but above all, I think you should talk to the managers and head honchos on what are their business priorities and see if YOU can set the plan to get there.

I've worked in environments where leaders didn't have a clear compensation plan and I was able to get a good deal going on because I understood their goals and I figured out a plan I was able to execute. I included the compensation I desired and negotiated the details and timeframes of the plan with them.

JuicyKlay

Celebrated Contributor

1

AM

Dude in the same boat here. Lies across the board about variable comp, not getting the software I’m promised, office policies, etc. why can’t people just be real?

neversettle

Politicker

1

SDR

I don't know.......sucks for both of us! What are you doing about it (if anything)?

JuicyKlay

Celebrated Contributor

1

AM

I keep reminding myself that at least I’m still making a sick figure salary I can live off and need to suck it up and get by until I can find somewhere better to land.

happytobehere

Opinionated

1

Head of Partnerships

Get outta there! You deserve better.

Telehealth_2the_Moon

Notable Contributor

1

Director of Business Development

At least you should ask that the OTE you were quoted should become your base salary until a comp plan is in place.

At the most, try and hunt down a new job with a more established team that knows what they are doing.

Hambalang

Politicker

1

Enterprise AE

I'm a new SDR and this happened to me at my current company. During the interview process I was promised a hefty base salary with a solid OTE. When I started working there, they were still working on the comp plan. Like you I was pretty worried. Turns out things at my company move very slowly too. I have a fellow SDR who kept following up with manager on the status on the comp plan. Took about 2 months for them to get it all together but everyone is very happy with it now. I don't think it would be unreasonable to follow up every now and then.

My VP of Sales took the follow up in a really positive way and was genuinely apologetic because he had so much on his plate. He even encouraged us to keep bugging him about it. Now, if your managers are evasive and shady when you follow up... then it's time to start looking amigo.

InQ5WeTrust

Arsonist

1

No marketing, mayo isn't an MQL

Sounds like a poison pill - if you're crushing numbers like you say then you should be rewarded.

Know your worth.

Blackwargreymon

Politicker

1

MDR

I don't think it's unreasonable to leave and find a new job (if you can afford to).

RedLightning

Politicker

0

Mid-Market AE

Do you can compensated for anything outside of your salary? I'm trying to understand if there is no comp plan or if this is specifically for a new product/service.

neversettle

Politicker

0

SDR

I don't get compensated for anything but salary. There is literally no comp plan as of now. The other SDR has been here 2 years and just receives salary. I don't know what his salary is though.

RedLightning

Politicker

2

Mid-Market AE

Get out. In the future, connect with reps via linkedin and ask a few questions. I'd recommend checking out repvue as well

DungeonsNDemos

Big Shot

2

Rolling 20's all day

Upvote for RepVue. And I can speak from experience, speak with at least one sales rep in the future before you accept an offer. Don't go in blind because unfortunately upper management often tries to sell you overpromising expectations and then you get screwed.

cw95

Politicker

0

Sales Development Lead

Could use it to your advantage by shifting the 'new' comp plan in a more beneficial way for yourself? Keep bringing it up though, eventually, you'll get the honest answer from them.

tonysoprano

Big Shot

0

Sr. AE

That's a mega tough scene. If you're early on enough in your career and role I would look around elsewhere
(my company is aggressively hiring SDRs at the moment)

neversettle

Politicker

1

SDR

Hey! I'm not super early on in my career as I was in Outside Sales for about 12 years before transitioning to tech. I was with my last company as an SDR for about 8 months and this move was/is supposed to be my landing spot and place to stay for awhile. I don't want to look like I'm a job hopper. But I also know my worth. I booked 7 meetings for my AE my first month (June) so I know what I'm doing. Thanks for the advice!

justatopproducer

Politicker

0

VP OF SALES -US

Been in a similar situation in my first adult-ish job at 19. Long story short, you absolutely should go above your managers for an Explanation. I would also call the other company you rejected the offer from and tell them you reconsider. Do you have anything in writing explaining your comp plan? Maybe able to use that as leverage, but also I wouldnt stay there if thats how they trick people to take the job.

el.guap0

Valued Contributor

0

Account Executive

Run.

looper1010

Celebrated Contributor

0

Solutions Specialist

Huge red flag - I would pester them for something in writing asap. This is not normal. Have you reached out to the other company that had a solid comp plan? If you're able to and can afford it, then it doesn't hurt to reach out and look elsewhere.

softwaresails

Politicker

0

Sales Manager

Leave! If they do this, I can only imagine what else is going to be a pain.

GDO

Politicker

0

BDM

Start looking for something else. Huge red flag

Error32

Politicker

0

ISR

Who is the child that voted yes? Terrible idea!!

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