Jukes

Account Executive

Valued Contributor

Moved into AE role back in January, and realized I'm under market for OTE/Base

Recently moved on from BDR at a previous company into an AE position in new company. Realized early that my BoB is Mid-Market/Enterprise sized however my base is structured as an entry level AE, the company I'm working for is well established and is a pioneer in the industry (SaaS Media).

I'm basically working MM/Enterprise but being paid as a SMB AE. This also means that I have generally longer sales cycles and tougher conversations with C Suite.

Any tips on what to do? I don't know if I should have a conversation about my pay/comp or if I should jump ship to where I'm being properly compensated for my efforts. I still managed to be one of the first reps to close out deals and complete ramp up quota but the precedence of working MM/Enterprise without being properly compensated keeps irking me on a daily basis.

War room please help me out, looking for any advice on what to do in my scenario.

💰 Compensation

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saaskicker

Celebrated Contributor

2

Enterprise AE

Where do you live / how many years of experience do you have?

How far below market do you think you are? What's your OTE?

There are a lot of missing factors here. I hate to break it to you but you should have done your homework before accepting an offer, negotiating 7 months into the year (especially at an established org with everything forecasted and set in stone) is not going to end in your favor 9/10 times.

In sales, your base should be livable and commission is where you build wealth -- if your base is livable (covers your rent/bills/a bit of social life/quality of life spending) then my advice would be put your head down and get the big dollars from closed business. If you can hit your annual number - you're now in a position to negotiate an increase in base. For what it's worth, when you ask for an increase in Base/OTE this always comes with increased quota.

I've seen so many reps cry over 10k raise on their base to realize they could have made 40-50k more OTE by getting into accelerators on their current comp plan. They get the base raise, quota goes up, in turn, the accelerators are farther away.

Jukes

Valued Contributor

0

Account Executive

This would be my 3rd year in SaaS. My biggest focus right now is what you just mentioned, I want to break the quota attainment and receive the biggest bag I can however it seems unfair to me that I'm basically working on a pretty low base while living in Vancouver (pretty high expenses). I finished my first quarter barely scraping by the accelerators. I have made a pretty big splash on my team and have been recognized for my efforts. I wasn't aware that the team I joined was a new sales team; so everyone on my team including my manager is new and we had to wear many hats over the past couple of months. I often found myself doing pretty much my own learning and development. I'm wondering if this is enough for me to leverage into either a new role at another company or talk about advancement.

My salary pretty much covers my expenses but its the comp that I really need that would allow me to invest/spend as that would be my disposable income so every dollar counts.

saaskicker

Celebrated Contributor

1

Enterprise AE

I feel your pain - it only feels unfair 7 months in because you now know your worth in the market. At the time, I’m sure you were pumped to get the AE title and option to close business. Grind it out. Keep a tight budget (hard in a high cost of living area) if you can stick to it and get that base raise at the end of the year you’ll have more disposable income than you think and will be able to hit financials milestones.

A manager once told me “your 20s are for learning and your 30s are for earning” sound advice to stay focused on the end goal and not get distracted by the little things along the way.

jefe

Arsonist

2

🍁

You'll probably have to build a case and just wait for your next performance review. Or MAYBE a big win. There's very little incentive for the company to any adjustments outside of that.

CaaSUnicorn7

Opinionated

1

SDR (Sales Development Rep)

If you have a good relationship with your manager have an off the books talk, if nothing changes continue to perform and jump ship/leverage an offer to raise your pay

Jukes

Valued Contributor

0

Account Executive

I have had an off the books talk during one of our outings and he did side with me saying that he'd support me in whatever trajectory I chose but to stick it out for a couple months because the experience on my resume isn't strong enough (7ish months as an AE) to be entertained by another company. I do think he's speaking some truth to it, however I think I'd be able make a solid case as to why I'm jumping ship early if I was given the chance to interview. Am I shooting blanks here by thinking like this? Or should I keep my head down and continue grinding until at least a year.

On a side note, my rent increases at the end of the year and because of the long sales cycles it's been a peace of mind thing for me to have a higher base.

CaaSUnicorn7

Opinionated

0

SDR (Sales Development Rep)

How likely are they to bump you after 7 months?

If it’s far fetched you can get another role with 6 months exp as an AE. If you have a strategy and resume revamp. If you really want to stay you can get an offer and leverage at your current company. If they don’t play ball you can jump ship smoothly.

Tbh in tech 2 weeks notice is pretty dated because you’ll be locked out of your tech stack before they’ve fully read the resignation. Do what’s best for your bills and mental health eve. If that means you need a vacation week to feel better about your strategy/going to work everyday.

CaaSUnicorn7

Opinionated

0

SDR (Sales Development Rep)

Only you know from reading reviews, working with ppl who’ve been fired, seeing promotions or demotions and overall observing how average performers are treated whether or not they’ll play ball with your salary bump

Gasty

Notable Contributor

0

War Room Community Manager

Look forward instead of going back. Negotiate either in the next appraisal, or, when you get your 1st big ticket closure?

salesdude1

Old School Bravo

0

Sales

Have you checked RepVue to see how your comp stacks up?

antiASKHOLE

Tycoon

0

Bravado's Resident Asshole

how has this played out?

Jukes

Valued Contributor

0

Account Executive

Thanks for following up man. All companies pulled the rug. Kinda shitty, but it makes sense given the current economic scenario.

antiASKHOLE

Tycoon

0

Bravado's Resident Asshole

Something will come through! Just keep at it and stay consistent.

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