SmashAndGrab

AE

New role but Awful Glassdoor comments on CEO

I'm at final stage of a process with a series B company for a strat AE job. The funding, investment, product and most importantly sales leadership is great and have loved the process so far.

Final stage is with the CEO and he has an awful reputation on Glassdoor for being young, changing direction regularly and not treating smart people properly, which has tanked the rating on GD. lots of these reviews are from product and engineering, but some from Sales.

I've gone through an acquisition into a big name business so I'm no stranger to change and hectic stuff above me, but I'm interested if the Savages see this is as a major red flag in your experience?

There is a huge TAM with a high value product, paying very good money, equity available with a route to exit + I love startup/scaleup culture- so I'm excited about the company but don't want to be back looking again after 3 months when it's not all as it seems.

keep crushing q4 🤑🤑🤑

🤝 Interviewing/Offer

9

17 comments

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CadenceCombat

Tycoon

9

Account Executive

No one can tell you for certain what the right call is but I would be asking myself the following:

1. How much of the role entails working with the CEO directly?

2. Are you trying to find a company where you can climb the ranks internally or is this opportunity simply a great stepping stone to get you to the next thing?

3. Do you have the cojones to ask the CEO directly about the comments on Glassdoor to address your concerns? Because I would, but thats me.

If the CEO can answer for the Glassdoor comments with some empathy for the former employees, a good summary of the situation and how they have grown and learned from it, that would mostly alleviate my concerns.

I think you’d be able to learn a lot based on how they answer this.

funcoupons

WR Officer

5

👑

Great answer!

I'd also add to compare the negative CEO reviews with the other reviews there. If there are positive reviews of the CEO or other management employees, that's less of a red flag than if the majority of the reviews are negative. Also look into the timing of the reviews - if they're from a year ago or older they hold less weight for me.

SmashAndGrab

Fire Starter

2

AE

For sure- I’ve had a good look at the reviews, the pros on the CEO are more about their wider vision and drive behind the company, rather than operational excellence. Positive changes have been made recently , new VP people with tonnes of experience, COO etc- so hopefully they are learning from mistakes and surrounding himself with coaches

funcoupons

WR Officer

2

👑

It sounds like they're taking a step in the right direction.

Honestly, I think this is common with startups for two reasons:

- Startup CEOs are just that...startup CEOs. Creative, hard working, and want to make their idea happen. However, they usually aren't experienced managers and often the drive to make shit happen is displayed in ways that other people find overbearing or inappropriate. Also much more likely to make rookie mistakes compared to a seasoned manager.

- Startup culture is not for everyone. If someone comes in expecting a very organized and detailed working environment where everyone has dedicated roles, corporate jargon is used, and there's very little take home work each day they're going to be shocked and pissed off when the environment is the exact opposite. People who like the startup atmosphere might admire a bold and slightly brash CEO, but people who are used to a calm corporate atmosphere might think that person is a total asshole.

I take both positive and negative reviews with a grain of salt. The best way to learn about a company and the people in it is by asking good questions during the interview, and trying to connect with existing employees (off the record, like in LI messages or by phone,) to ask them about their experience working there.

SmashAndGrab

Fire Starter

1

AE

Totally agree, thanks for the counsel! Legend! Even with the negative reviews, that culture and environment excites me a lot - just trying to take a step back with this thread

CuriousFox

WR Officer

5

🦊

Sounds like this CEO has ADHD. Seriously.

SmashAndGrab

Fire Starter

2

AE

Great advice. I’ve been going back on number 3- when I’ve brought it up with VP sales and head of talent, they’ve said it’s not for everyone but take it with a pinch of salt.
I will ask this of the CEO- just need to word it correctly I feel
Thanks dude

funcoupons

WR Officer

3

👑

For wording, try something like "I was looking at your company on GD and saw some very negative comments about you and xyz. Could you explain what might have led former employees to write those things?"

Sunbunny31

Politicker

1

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

That's exactly how to phrase it.

ryan_howard

Politicker

2

Director, Business Development

Very good advice!

SaaSsy

Politicker

0

AE

Love all of this and just want to add that you should try to find sales people that have left and reach out - I often find that they're very willing to help and by speaking with them directly, you can tell who is just a naysayer/underperformer or who has actual red flags to help coach you through the decision.

DungeonsNDemos

Big Shot

0

Rolling 20's all day

@SmashAndGrab I'm curious how it went and if you asked him about the reviews.

TheOverTaker

Politicker

3

Senior Account Executive

I'm in a very similar situation actually. I don't have much advice but I always take GD reviews with a grain of salt

SmashAndGrab

Fire Starter

1

AE

Yeah me too- lots are former employees not current too, so that’s an indication it might be grievance-led

Diablo

Politicker

0

Sr. AE

Could be. Honestly, there are lot of structural changes that might be changing the direction.Just try and also see if there are new people in top management because as they come in, they try to experiment which might produce good or bad results

GDO

Politicker

1

BDM

How will the ceo impact you? What kind of behaviour did he do in the past. Are there any sales people that left a review?

LordBusiness

Politicker

0

Chief Revenue Officer

Sounds like a lot of the key boxes are checked, and TBH in an early stage startup type vibe if you aren't going into it expecting constant change in direction, then you are likely going in with rose colored glasses. Every CEO has their nuances, focus on the folks you will report directly into, the product you are selling, and the opportunity for it to be sold.

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