Space_Ghost20

Account Executive

Valued Contributor

Perspective about an offer I received?

Earlier in the fall I was part of a RIF at an early stage startup. AE making $75k base/$150k OTE. 30-60 day sales cycle, average deal size $40k (though some well over $1 million). Full cycle, ~75% of my leads were self-sourced (very little SDR support). Obviously this is a terrible time to be looking for work, and I've been fortunate to have gotten a handful of interviews so far. I was hoping to get some perspective on an offer I just got: established company, selling to SMB and Micro businesses, 90% inbound (almost no prospecting whatsoever), order taking type of role, one call close, 50-60 deals a month, average deal size of $2k (occasional $10-15k deal). $50k base, $80k OTE.

They say don't look a gift horse in the mouth, but at the same time I feel like this is a step back in my career, even though the title is the same. I also don't want to leave these guys in a lurch if I accept but continue to look for something else and leave shortly after starting. Thoughts?

💰 Compensation

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24 comments

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Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

4

Sales Rep

I would ask myself these questions when getting another offer

When you started to look for new opportunities, what did you imagine the next role being? Is this it?

What are the issues with your current role that caused you to look for new roles? Will this new role have those same issues?

I would also ask yourself, would you want to start doing one-call closes and being more tactical with being more than an order taker?

Its important to note, just because you spent time interviewing and have an offer, you don't need to accept the opportunity.

Space_Ghost20

Valued Contributor

1

Account Executive

The only issue I had with my last role was that I got laid off. I thought the solution they had was great, the team I worked on was great (and most of the other teams I interacted with were great too). Obviously it had the typical startup growing pains, but it didn't bother me too much.

But, no. This is in no way the kind of job I really want to do. The only reason I'm entertaining the offer is because I'm unemployed.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

3

Sales Rep

If you need the job, I would accept and continue to look. You got to take care of yourself financially. If you know its not a long-term solution, you can leave early and not feel bad since it was a temporary fix.

Best case, I would use this offer to leverage a quicker process and more money with the other opportunities.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

2

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

I agree fully with this.

I took a job I didn't love back after the dotcom crash. It was at least in tech, but was awful (which I hope this is not for you). The benefits were that I was back in the market AND I met a person who ended up recommending me for the tech job that landed me where I am today - so in hindsight, of course I'm glad I took it!

Space_Ghost20

Valued Contributor

1

Account Executive

To follow up on this, I also took an interview for an SDR position (figuring it would just be practice) with another company and I'm likely to see an offer sometime early next week. Same comp as this AE role I posted about here, just taking a step back in title as well as pay. I was planning on turning it down, but your comment here has me wondering if going that route would be better than this one.

Of course, I've also heard that you never go back to SDR after being an AE, that it's essentially killing your career.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

2

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Well, I hated the step back, but I needed to work. It was only about a year. It very much depends on your situation. And a step back can always be explained when there’s a shaky economic situation.

activity

Politicker

4

VP, Business Development

Do what's best for you and your family. Companies don't care when they are laying people off right before Christmas. So, why should you care if you are only at a job a short time.

TennisandSales

Politicker

2

Head Of Sales

so its hard to say what is right for YOU. But here are somethings to think about:

- when looking for a new gig the first question a recrutier will ask is what is your average deal size. Its SUPER hard to go UP in average deal size. so if your average deal size will be $2k you will find it hard to get another job where it is $50k. (unless you are not there long)

- the sales cycles are very different. you need to think about what you will find more satisfaction in.

- also, when someone tells me its all inbound, i hear "we send you shit leads"

if this was me, I would pass on this opportunity and find something with larger ticket items

the best way to make money in sales is to sell a product that is expensive!

Space_Ghost20

Valued Contributor

1

Account Executive

Yeah, this is similar to what I was thinking. I ultimately want to be in that mid-market/enterprise space and this doesn't seem like it's the best path to get there.

I think a lot of us would love to have a one call close on a six or seven figure deal, but obviously that doesn't happen. Shorter sales cycles correlate with smaller deals (and vice versa). It being all inbound is less about the leads being terrible, and more about continuing to develop my outbound skills which will be more valuable down the line in my career.

Thanks for you input. I really appreciate it.

TennisandSales

Politicker

0

Head Of Sales

no problem! and yes i would agree with how you are looking at this.

Good luck!

CuriousFox

WR Officer

2

🦊

Can you take it while still searching for the job you really want?

Space_Ghost20

Valued Contributor

3

Account Executive

Yeah. Though with their strict recording of hours, I'm not sure I'll be able to schedule interviews during the workday. I mean I'm sure I can figure something out, but it wouldn't be easy.

Diablo

Politicker

1

Sr. AE

Are you making any commissions at your current company? Did you try to find out how many inbound leads the new company gets per month and what’s the conversion %. I understand 50-60 closes, I would also want to know how much commission the reps are making.

Ultimately, you will have to decide what’s best for you because this is just one part. I wouldalso consider other important parts in my
life - working hours, work life balance, leave policy etc etc.

all the best !

Space_Ghost20

Valued Contributor

1

Account Executive

I made commission in Q2 and Q3 at my previous employer. I was laid off at the beginning of Q4 so I'm not sure I'll get anything for the few deals I closed in Q4.

It looks like they're doing 5-7 demos per day (almost all inbound leads) and expected to close roughly 50% of them. Top performing reps are making roughly $3k a month in commission.

Working hours are a strict 40 hours a week, but strictly 9-5 eastern. Taking time off during the workday for a doctor's appointment or the like needs to be approved by your manager. I've personally never worried about working 50-60 hours a week in exchange for higher earning potential. I suppose I can accept and keep looking.

Diablo

Politicker

0

Sr. AE

That’s a great choice. If no option I would join and see if it’s adding value and aligned to what I want to do. Never know you might make more than others + find the job to be satisfactory.

Pachacuti

Politicker

1

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

You gotta take care of yourself first and foremost. You’ve learned the hard way that companies don’t care about their workers.

I’d take the immediate offer and keep looking. Give them the 40hrs/week but keep applying for other positions.

punishedlad

Tycoon

0

Business Development Team Lead

I've been in your exact shoes before. It may feel shitty, but I'd take the offer and keep looking. I've done the same thing. Unless these are people you could potentially run into in the business world again (or your personal life for that matter), I wouldn't feel any remorse by burning the bridge.

Think of it this way: Do companies/business leaders ever consider your feelings or situation before they, let's say, lay you off? All's fair in love and war, and the job market is war.

SADNESSLieutenant

Politicker

0

Officer of ♥️

Go with your gut

ZeeSales

Good Citizen

0

Enterprise SDR

As others have said, and as is always the case with job moves, this comes down to what you value in a role, where you are in life and what ultimately drives you.

Being laid off sucks and nobody wants to be unemployed. However dependant upon your current financial/ living situation, I’d say wait a little if you can as I’m sure you’ll end up with a couple more offers from your upcoming interviews. There are a ton of AE roles live right now and if you can I wouldn’t go for a role which you feel ‘is a step back’ and something you really don’t want to do.

Having the MM + ENT experience you do is invaluable and sets you apart from the majority of the market. There is no reason you should be looking at a 33% drop in base and 47% drop in OTE with your expose of the market unless you *really* need the money in which case, take the role and keep looking.

Employees come and go all the time, the only person you need to be thinking about right now is yourself.

Mikey

Politicker

0

Senior Regional Director

Take the job if you need it… if you don’t, I agree with many responses asking if this is really what you want.

If you have the privilege to be a little picky, take more time.

My guess is that you’re a talented sales pro that’s looking for a challenge. Inbound order taking could get old fast and leave you unmotivated and uninspired.

sending you good vibes!

oldcloser

Arsonist

0

💀

@Space_Ghost20

Space_Ghost20

Valued Contributor

0

Account Executive

Sent. Thanks!

oldcloser

Arsonist

0

💀

In the air.

Space_Ghost20

Valued Contributor

1

Account Executive

Appreciate it.

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