Gol Allen

Founding Account Executive

Negotiation pay from offers

Savages, I am getting quite a few interviews now for b2b tech sales roles (SDR) , and for at least 3 of them I am confident I can get to the final round (I already had a final round interview with one of the companies)

This is my question, how can I negotiate a higher base?

Background.

Sold close to 7 figures for my own little online products and 2 other start ups I worked at.
I am 99% sure that the rest of the SDRs there hiring/interviewing are either recent college grads or have sold 0 in their lives.

With that in mind whats the best way to negotiate a higher base?

How much more should I be requesting?

The current base I am being offered from all 3 companies is around £40-£50k (UK based).

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13 comments

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GDO

Politicker

BDM

Just tell them you got an offer from another company with a higher base. pick a base you'd find acceptable and add a bit. Then tell them that you prefer working for them but that the difference in the base is too high to neglect. Ask if there is still some margin on the offer.
After this, you shut up, not a word. Whatever the first thing is they say. Act a little bit disappointed with your face. Then tell them you'll take it into consideration.

Founding Account Executive

Got it how much more do you roughly ask compared to the offer normally?

GDO

Politicker

BDM

As always it depends. I did 15% last time. But the sky is the limit as long as you can bullshit about it

Founding Account Executive

Got it awesome thanks!

LambyCorn

Arsonist

A mfkn E

this guy knows whats up

saaskicker

Celebrated Contributor

Enterprise AE

In my experience, you have max 10% wiggle room on base at an entry level position. You may get nothing in terms of wiggle room as some companies will say "we pay everyone at this level the exact same". If money is motivating you, find out which of these companies has the best commission plan when it comes to attainable quota, accelerators & spifs. You will (ideally) have more control over that. Look for % of reps hitting quota in the same seat/level as you as well as the product market fit -- are you going to be clawing for meetings, or are people familiar with the name brand/and the product is solving a business challenge today.

Sold close to 7 figures for my own little online products and 2 other start ups I worked at.

congrats but this won't really matter to get more base, you're applying for a position that has set guard rails when it comes to compensation. if you want to leverage that experience you should look to apply for an AE/AM position. sure you're up against college grads, but that's kind of on you, yeah?

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

10% definitely seems about right for this level.

Founding Account Executive

Great points, the 10% wiggle room is still not bad.

Regarding AE roles, I applied to a ton of places and instant rejections. The issue is the stuff I was selling for my self and the 2 other start ups were non tech related and carried no quotas. There were 10 people start-ups. Seed level.
I could still end up as an AE but it will defo at smaller companies and likely with lower bases then the bigger start-ups, I am interviewing at right now.
Would you take a shot for an AE role at a smaller start up with a lower base over an SDR rolet at a more established startup?

saaskicker

Celebrated Contributor

Enterprise AE

if you can stomach an SDR role, it's the best way to break into tech sales and learn from the ground up. First time tech AEs with no SDR experience struggle, first time tech AEs promoted from and SDR position are usually more successful. just my $0.02.

Founding Account Executive

Got it makes sense

Founding Account Executive

Update on this, got rejected after the final interview!! messed up big time great company and pay

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Oh no! What happened? Is there any way to recover?

CuriousFox

WR Officer

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Gol Allen

Negotiation pay from offers

13 comments

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