DataCorrupter

Account Executive

Negotiating Comp

Fellow Savages,

I think I could be accepting an offer soon. I'm comfortable with where my base comp is (and I don't want increased quota with increased pay), so I won't be negotiating that. I'm REALLY curious what other things you've negotiated for (or heard of) in the past as part of an offer. Here's some things I'm thinking, let me know your thoughts.

More stock/shares
Reduced quota
Signing bonus (4 figures)
Tech stipend (2k) for a laptop I want

What's the best thing to negotiate for as part of an offer?

Attached poll

*Voting in this poll no longer yields commission.

👥 Hiring

🤞 Negotiation

44 comments

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Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

pre-negotiated severance in the case of a layoff/firing

unclespacejam

Politicker

ur dad’s brother

In this hiring environment, this is the way. That’s a big brain move. Sounds like the base and OTE is working for you. Get yourself some insurance and lock in severance terms

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

100% Call it whatever you want. Our CFO is a lawyer. I recently got a "termination without cause" clause added to my agreement. It made me all warm and fuzzed out.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

After the fact eh? So now we are side eyeing the new employer 👀

DataCorrupter

Politicker

Account Executive

Oh, really interesting idea. What would you think is reasonable to ask for? 3 months, 6 month?

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Ask for more than you'll settle for.

medhardwaredr

Opinionated

Director of Sales NA

Wow! So going to use this should I ever need it. Here is commission!

RandyLahey

Politicker

Account Executive

This is great idea. How common is this?

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

For execs and vps it is very common, now it is becoming a thing for people who have a job and are leaving for the next one. For unemployed getting a job offer, it's a bit different but if you don't ask you don't get

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

Yep, used to be much tougher to get this one.

LaxDADnSftWrSales

Good Citizen

Sales Director

Can someone explain this to me? I am looking, have job, but would think that an employer would see this ask as a red flag.
Or are we suggesting that because of the current market conditions I am asking for better conditions to the severance terms.
Also for timing when to bring up this kind of ask is later in the process right?

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

I’ve never pulled this off unless negotiating for a management spot. But in that case, asking for comp if you’re fired for ne reason really isn’t a tough ask at any point in the process. It’s more a commentary on the market and your quest for security in it.

It’s like saying “I don’t expect you’ll find a reason to can me, but if you can me with no reason, I’d like to be able to feed my family.” Call it insurance.

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

I think a signing bonus is the one you'd want, but tech stipend might be more likely.

I wouldn't want to go for reduced quota as it would just seem like you lack confidence.

PTO is a lever that I've had success pulling. You can also try for benefits on day 1 if there's normally a waiting period.

HVACexpert

Politicker

sales engineer

Oh the day 1 benefits would be nice

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

If you have to travel for work during those uncovered months you can ramp up the pressure. If something happens to you on a work trip then they won’t want that liability.

snacks

Opinionated

Oooo Day 1 bennies is a good one. If you're leaving a role, this one is almost certain to be granted.

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

It REALLY should be. Especially in the US.

More of a nice to have in Canada (aside from the travel aspect I mentioned).

saaskicker

Celebrated Contributor

Enterprise AE

Would love to see a hiring manager's reaction to someone asking for a reduced quota.

DataCorrupter

Politicker

Account Executive

I had one hiring manager say it was the smart move because I could blow out the number easier. If I sold above 700k instead of 1.2m I would be into accelerators faster

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Your company will provide you a laptop - be happy with that. And you're better off spending your own money to upgrade your WFH environment.

Do you think their stock options will actually be worth something? If so, that's a good ask. But be sure of it. I can wipe myself for a month with all the worthless options I've been given.

Signing bonus is good, especially if you can point out the $$ you're leaving behind from your current job (if applicable). Otherwise, I'd ask for more base pay.

Lower quota is a B-player move. Don't go there. But a longer ramp to get there might be a good move.

If they are offering the standard 2-weeks of vacation time, you might go for 3. That vacation time can pay off for when you leave or actually need the time off.

Revenue_Rambo

Politicker

Director, Revenue Enablement

👆Best answer here so far.

Vacation is heavily under rated. If the company doesn’t do unlimited PTO asking for an addition week is a big win for you and only impacts the business if you take it all.

DataCorrupter

Politicker

Account Executive

Oh yeah, good point, didn’t consider that the extra vacation could be like severance if unused.

Phillip_J_Fry

Opinionated

Director of Revenue

Share/sign-on bonus are probably the answer here.
I would stay away from asking for lower quota as it sends a message to leadership that you don't think you hit quota at current levels. I get that you're thinking of how it'd be easier to crush quota, but with how high turnover is in most sales roles, management is not going to look at it the same way you are.

DataCorrupter

Politicker

Account Executive

Good point, the optics are bad

bonez

Politicker

Account Executive

You gotta ask for what you think you can get. My current company paid me out for commissions I was supposed to get to get me start faster (with timing stipulations).

My last org I negotiated a bigger WFH stipend which got me top level equipment that I still use.

It’s all about context baby!!! Know when to hold em, know when to fold em, know when to ask for RSUs, know when to put a fake name on the corporate card so you can expense strip clubs.

DataCorrupter

Politicker

Account Executive

That last one being the most important

bonez

Politicker

Account Executive

Real ones get it.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Signing bonus. Cold hard cash in hand.

medhardwaredr

Opinionated

Director of Sales NA

I like stock but signing bonus is great. WFH/tech stipend isn’t something you should have to negotiate it’s part of your job and should be built in.
Reduced quota you can argue for at anytime with a business case that’s valid (good luck though). Justatitle had the best idea I’ve heard regarding negotiating though. Pre-negotiated severance!

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

Aren't they paying for your laptop already?

DataCorrupter

Politicker

Account Executive

Yes, but they may be on Windows and I want to be on Mac or vice versa. If they're paying for a laptop already, not much more to ask to get your preferred type. Biggest deal in the world? No, but quality of life on something you use daily.

Revenue_Rambo

Politicker

Director, Revenue Enablement

True but at the end of the day how much is that Mac worth to you? $2k stipend for something you’ll ultimately turn back in.

DataCorrupter

Politicker

Account Executive

I’m thinking about the stipend as a way to not turn the laptop back in. Instead of receiving one that goes back to the company they’re giving me money that’s has no strings so I can I get what I want and keep it. Again, big deal? No, but quality of life even if things go tits up.

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

Signing bonus man, real money !

snacks

Opinionated

Signing bonus and/or stipend would be my focus.

If you're leaving a gig, you can argue you're forfeiting $xK bonus by moving to new org and get them to make it even, so to speak.
Stipend not only for office set up but also ongoing internet/cell costs so you can expense your wifi monthly.

I've heard people can even negotiate not being laid off within the first year of employment and getting that written into your letter (but I don't know anyone personally that did it).

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

Sales Rep

WFH since it can be reoccurring and I believe not as high taxed

JustGonnaSendIt

Politicker

Burn Towns, Get Money

Stock options are nice, but really depends on the company.
Some kind of equity comp would be good, depending on your tax situation / confidence level in the company you could ask for :
- Options (as OP mentioned)
- Common Shares with no vesting period (unlikely to receive)
- RSU's with a short vesting schedule

Goldleader

Fire Starter

Senior Sales Manager

PTO is a good one and relatively easy to get. Stock especially RSUs can be an absolute game changer from the right company

dangb

Executive

VP of Sales

It’s been said above, but stay away from the reduced quota conversation.

DBsalesG

Sr. Account Manager

A guarantee should always be discussed. No body closes deals on day 1 and you will naturally have a ramp up period. You can ask for a guarantee on variable comp for a few months while you ramp.

SteveD

Member

Sales Director

Ask for a four day work week with one day per quarter off for "REST"

DungeonsNDemos

Big Shot

Rolling 20's all day

Always go for the signing bonus 💰💰💰

tequilaninja

Catalyst

Account Executive

Remote for sure

MTW

Opinionated

Sales Director

Longer draw and let them know your upcoming vacation days

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DataCorrupter

Negotiating Comp

What's the best thing to negotiate for as part of an offer?

44 comments

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