My new colleagues getting paid more than me - what would you do?!

Hi team so stoked to be here thank you so much for any guidance you’re able to share.


Okay so the question is, what would you do if you have been at a company for two years, you’ve been their sole producer (granted it’s a start up when you started there were two sales reps and now there are 4; 1s been ramping for the past year). You also achieved 140% over quota the past two years.


You find out the two new hires are going to make $20k more in base salary. The shitty part.... you found out because your boss “lofts” his emails through salesloft to the new hire where you can see the salary. LOL ridiculous I know, also shame on me for reading these emails - am I going to hell??!!


I have no problem asking for a higher base, it’s just how I got this knowledge is the problem.


Any advice greatly appreciates, and should I tell my boss he should stop lofting his emails? Or should I keep reading cuz like wtf else do I wanna do all day?! 🤣

📚 Resource
24
CadenceCombat
Tycoon
33
Account Executive
Don't bring up the salary of your newer colleagues. Book a meeting with your boss to discuss this and state your case based on merit, performance, experience, etc.

Give your boss the opportunity to do the right thing.

I would also caution against jumping to conclusions. Are their responsibilities exactly the same as yours? Do they have tougher territories to manage? Do they have a skillset that warrants the added premium to their salaries?

Coming at it from the standpoint of "Why are my new colleagues making more than I am?" is immature and weak. I understand the frustration but don't be that guy or girl. It's a bad look.

Good luck!
ruca1213
Contributor
5
Regional Sales Director
Thank you so much I needed to hear that haha
I will say they are doing the exact job and have less experience which is why I think I initially got upset - but 1000% speak with my boss on my business case and let him do the right thing!

thank you!!
CadenceCombat
Tycoon
2
Account Executive
All good! Happy to help.

Cheers
Saaspoggers69
Contributor
1
Enterprise Account Executive
Hey man let us know how it went! would love to hear you got a fat raise or flipped a table!
ruca1213
Contributor
0
Regional Sales Director
FLIPPED THE FREAKIN TABLE!! haha nah no need...

My boss came back on Monday with a $120 base, I just simply asked for $135 as a way to meet in the middle (since I asked for $150 base) he came back today, Friday, and said we'll do $130K.

So at the end of the day I am happy and most importantly I did not need to bring the new AEs salaries into the mix. I just presented my business case.

I listened to you all!!! thank you thank you thank you!
CuriousFox
WR Officer
1
🦊
Yes. Have all of your facts organized cleanly and make your case, leaving emotion out of it. 
DaveyDimes
Acclaimed Answer
1
Account Executive
Don't get caught up in what others are making. If you truly believe you deserve to make more. Wait until you've had a great quarter or year and then ask for what you think you deserve. Jumping the gun on things like this is an very easy way to get discouraged and eventually burn out of the role altogether.
NoOneLoveSalesLikeGaston
Executive
1
Associate Consultant
This is the best comment by miles. ^^^
jefe
Arsonist
0
🍁
Extremely well thought out and reasoned comment, and definitely your best option!
Trinity
WR Officer
4
BusDev
Agree with the comments. Since job description/responsibilities are exactly the same, prior to meeting with him, I would itemise all your strengths/accomplishments/value add to the team and company, ask for feedback from peers/colleagues in case there are blindspots. Then focus on these things when talking to him for a salary bump, be objective.
Also, set-up a follow-up meeting with him if he says 'no' and provide reasons for it so you can course-correct on things that you need to improve on or perhaps he may need to check with someone, need approval. All the best and hope you get it. 
exec
Acclaimed Answer
2
Account Executive
Do you believe in the company? If you've been the sole producer for 2 years you're getting a significantly better options package than these people hired after you. 

Of course, this doesn't make things better and it's still not necessarily fair... but it gives you a significant advantage in the long run. 

Agreed with the others you shouldn't compare yourself to other reps. Go to your manager and position your asks the right way. Rather than asking "why do these people make more than me" maybe ask "what does my growth here look like? how do I level up in my role" 
ruca1213
Contributor
0
Regional Sales Director
Love this thank you
gdzll
Opinionated
2
Sales Development Representative
OK so no reason to mention your colleagues salary and how you got the information. It won't go well.

However, this is valuable information and let's face it, companies will always f you over when it comes to salary if they can. Treat it as a gift from the universe or something.

Now, what you can do

- Get a meeting set up with your manager and say that you'd be keen on discussing compensation a bit. You have been producing at a very high level ( + mention anything else you bring to the team, mentorship, investigating tools, anything extra you do for the team ) and you are looking for some upward movement in your base compensation at this point in your career. This is natural and not an awkward conversation. 

Try to get an idea of how much the bump could potentially be. Communicate that it would be a huge motivator for you moving forward to see that your value would reflect in the salary you are paid.

Also, were you given stock options? Do you know if others were given that as well?
ruca1213
Contributor
0
Regional Sales Director
Yes I was given stock options and the others are as well; however I did ask for more and they said yes which is great.
SalesPharaoh
Big Shot
1
Senior Account Executive
well I have a similar case, 1 guy in our team just learned that he is getting paid half the rest of us. so I definitely understand where you are coming from.

but the question is what would one do if your boss doesn't agree with a salary increase. 
wahmsales
WR Officer
0
SDR
Is he the one who left?
SalesPharaoh
Big Shot
0
Senior Account Executive
yup that's the guy, you have a good memory my friend haha
wahmsales
WR Officer
1
SDR
If you talk to your manager, please let us know how it goes!
ruca1213
Contributor
0
Regional Sales Director
Absolutely thank you!
ruca1213
Contributor
1
Regional Sales Director
The saga continues.... if there is one thing I learned from all you bada$$ sales folk it's not to bring up others in negotiation, it's all about me and the the company and the value I bring to.  I will say the new colleague and I are already close and they flat out told me their base is $120K, in that case could I say something to my boss?
RandomPaperclip
Valued Contributor
1
Sr. AE
It's such a tough thing to swallow, but the RIGHT answer is no. I too am currently in this position where I took a pay cut to join my current role (got burned on believing the OTE and higher commish would save me - lol fuck me right?)

I am in a closing role, fed by BDR's. The 3 new reps are full-cycle and have at least 3-4 less years experience than me. All on same base. 2 are being promoted into the closing role that I currently sit at and yep, you guessed it, getting a base increase of 10k. (the promo plans are transparent and they tell you what the bumps are) so.. here I sit, 10+ years experience, with 2 folks who have around 5 that will have 10k more than me as a base, both of which I trained and onboarded. 

I have considered going to my boss and just laying it out there. "I know what the comps are.." but as everyone has said, it's not the right play. I plan on going to my manager and saying "hey, xyz is what I have done and brought to the table. I you low balled me coming in, and promised I would hit goals (no1 has hit goals) lets chat about a 10-15k bump here? 

Hindsight, I am upset they told me their bases when they did.. cause now I know. And it eats at me. 
genequeen
Good Citizen
1
Account Executive
I agree with the other commenters on focusing on merit and have examples to back up your ask - I also suggest you might use this discussion as a way to pivot towards also discussing your career growth - do you want to take on some mentorship/training? If so, propose a formal mentorship program. As your sales team is growing, you're going to have to do more to stand out if you're hoping to make lateral moves within the company. 
Mr.Pickles
Arsonist
1
Sr. Customer Success Manager
Here for the comments - I think @CadenceCombat answer was golden. 
AssistantToTheRegional
Politicker
1
Enterprise Account Executive
I'm on a team of 7 AE's. I know I make less than some, more than others. We all have a different experience level.

Just hit your number and ask for a raise at review time. 

What others make is a reflection of their experience/negotiation skills and many many more variables. It is not about you. They don't make more money than YOU. They make what they showed they are worth during the interview process, even if they aren't worth that $ they sold someone on the idea they are.


Re: Your boss using Salesloft and it being visible that's more of an HR issue and not your place. Tell HR he's sending private information publicly. Others salary is not your business.
FullyDiluted
Opinionated
0
Account Director
DO NOT tell your manager "Hey I know ____ is making $____"

Do list out your accomplishments + contributions and say you'd like to ensure your comp is in line with current market rate.
Spennycanuck
0
AE
My company sells HR services to employers and we always council our clients to provide “consideration” when getting  employees to sign new employment contacts.

Consideration would be something like a bump in salary, or extra vacation days as a kind of signing bonus to the new employment agreement.  If you are willing to sign a new contract, a salary increase would not be out of the question. 
bigtuna
Good Citizen
0
Enterprise Account Executive
@ruca1213 This has happened to me before; where incoming new hires will get paid a higher OTE despite being newer. This is pretty common across sales teams; as they grow - they need to attract top talent and that comes at a price. That said, if you are in fact producing for the company, and helping onboard these new reps, you have justification to align your base salary to new hires. I agree with the folks who have commented already - schedule some time with your boss - do not bring up that you are aware of the new hires base being higher - and just concisely present why you should be leveled up $20k. Good luck! 
UltimateMango
Opinionated
0
Chief of Nothing
Start Looking. You need to get yourself a BATNA in order to have any leverage to negotiate anything. Otherwise you are asking for charity. 
TCV4Life
Member
0
Major Accts
Loyalty Tax sucks, good luck on getting a bump in pay. 
MichaelScottDunderMifflin
Contributor
0
Account Executive
I am curious: what did you end up doing?
ruca1213
Contributor
0
Regional Sales Director
Hi! thank you and to everyone who helped me I can't thank you enough. It's wild to think my knee jerk reaction was to bring up others' salary as a "hey wait a second" but knowing from each and every one of you that is SOOOO not the way to do it helped me immensely.
My boss came back on Monday with a $120 base, I just simply asked for $135 as a way to meet in the middle (since I asked for $150 base) he came back today, Friday, and said we'll do $130K.
So at the end of the day I am happy and most importantly I did not need to bring the new AEs salaries into the mix.
I listened to you all!!! thank you thank you thank you!
MichaelScottDunderMifflin
Contributor
0
Account Executive
Not a bad base...What company do you work for? I'd be interested to apply
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