mrsexyspizza

Account Executive

Fellow reps, would you stay or jump ship?

Six months in at a small SaaS startup. It isn't looking great.

For context:

No VC money (self backed up to this point)
Company is about 6/7yrs old, roughly $5M in ARR
3 legacy reps (been there 2+ yrs) all tracking or above goal, 6 new reps at less than 10% of goal (I am the top "new" rep and am at 11%)
Bleak outlook for the company, don't see it every surpassing the $25M ARR mark
I have 1.5yrs of closing AE experience with a 90k base and 180 OTE (but you can basically forget the variable with the numbers above haha)

I also believe I will get fired in the next 2-4 months if I am not at or closer to my goal. Again, literally none of the new reps are there but they seem to cut people after about 8 months.

I don't want to be a job-hopper but the board/leadership team are taking this in the complete wrong direction and it's showing in sales. I don't have a ton of experience to rely on but more time spent not hitting quota isn't going to help me either.

What do you think? Ride it out and see if things pick up? Or cut my losses and go somewhere else? My thought is try to go to a Salesforce or similar next, plant myself for a few years.

Really appreciate everybody's opinion and advice on this

☁️ Software Tech

🚀 Career Goals

13

26 comments

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JuicyKlay

Celebrated Contributor

9

AM

10% to goal??? You won't be able to stay long whether you want to or not. Get out of there and find yourself a job you love. Things have got to be stressful there.

mrsexyspizza

Politicker

3

Account Executive

Lol yep... there is a $1M delta between me and the rep above me. Everyone else is <10%

mrsexyspizza

Politicker

0

Account Executive

JuicyKlay, they laid off 11 people yesterday (including myself). Got two offers in hand - glad I took your advice!

SalesSage

Valued Contributor

6

National Account Manager

I think you answered your own question on the summary, say Bye Bye on your terms

mrsexyspizza

Politicker

0

Account Executive

Thanks for the reply SalesSage. Any thoughts on being a job-hopper? Or if it's worth trying to stay for the 2nd year of AE experience?

braintank

Politicker

2

Enterprise Account Executive

I'd rather be a job hopper and find a good opportunity while employed then get fired and have to find something ASAP.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

2

☕️

If you have a good reason for why you are leaving, and this reason is understandable to most any recruiter/hiring manager, then you'll have no problem explaining yourself.

braintank

Politicker

2

Enterprise Account Executive

^ This. I had a short stint at a start-up (<9 months) which raised some red flags with recruiters, but once I explained in a thoughtful way *why* I was leaving it wasn't an issue.

mrsexyspizza

Politicker

0

Account Executive

What was your explanation?

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

2

☕️

I worked for a CPG company that decided to make big bets on building a regional outside sales force. They quickly realized their CAC calculations were completely wrong, which ate into their margin and was tanking the business because of how much they paid reps in commissions. Rather than adjusting the comp plan they axed our entire team and kept on 4 national account executives. I was a part of a company that was taking a risk, and unfortunately, it did not pay off. A business decision was made, and I wasn't on the inside of it.

mrsexyspizza

Politicker

0

Account Executive

How long did it take before that decision was made? I'm wondering if something similar will happen here, especially with the lack of funding to support the 100k salaries of 7 reps...

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

1

☕️

Oh, sorry--8 months.

braintank

Politicker

1

Enterprise Account Executive

Sounds corny but I sold too much. They quickly changed their tune from "we'll pay you the month after the deal books" to "we'll pay you when the customer pays us in full". The problem was they didn't have a proper AR team established -- literally one person working part-time. So I was going months without getting paid. My wife was pregnant with our first kid at the time and boiled down to doing what is best for my family. When I explained this to the recruiter they were very empathetic.

mrsexyspizza

Politicker

0

Account Executive

Well, that is a damn good reason!

SalesSage

Valued Contributor

0

National Account Manager

I have never been a job hopper. Maybe it is time to start though. Not feeling the love right now!

Sgt_Trollingham

Valued Contributor

4

Business Development Director

I wouldn't worry too much about being a job hopper, if you can simply explain what happened. Say that you joined that company, because you thought the potential and journey was the right next step, but unfortunately, that hasn't materialized. If you feel confident you can work Salesforce or another leading SaaS company, that's a great way to build up your resume, and skills/experience.

No point in waiting for the inevitable.

iworkinchonies

Politicker

2

Account Executive / Chronic degenerate

Sounds like they're going nowhere fast 😂 some might see it as being a job hopper but good managers/recruiters will see it as having the wisdom to get out of a sinking ship before its all the way down.

Justatitle

Big Shot

1

Account Executive

I think you already know it’s time to go and the next company should understand your reasons when you lay it out like this. Outside looking in it’s time to pack the bags

mrsexyspizza

Politicker

0

Account Executive

I'll play devil's advocate here - is there any reason you would stay in a scenario like this?

Justatitle

Big Shot

1

Account Executive

No. You’re not hitting your numbers, the ceiling is capped and unless they are gonna have a miracle sounds like your stuck in 2nd gear here

HappyGilmore

Politicker

1

Account Executive - SMB

I think you cut the losses and go somewhere else and get a fresh start at a different org like a Salesforce.

GrindingSales

Politicker

1

Account Executive

In reference to the job hopper worry: As long as you can explain it, you can overcome that objection from a future employer.

MrMotivation

Politicker

1

Sales

What is the reason for the difference in attainment between you and the legacy reps? If it is favoritism-led lead routing, then yes, make a case to change that or bounce

mrsexyspizza

Politicker

0

Account Executive

It’s largely due to those reps having significant install base / $$ available to renew. They have 25-30 accounts, where as the new reps have 5-10.

MrMotivation

Politicker

1

Sales

Ah well if they are creating an uneven playing field, then yeah, time to bounce

aiko

Politicker

0

Sr. Account Executive

I would jump, but find a company with a little more stability with reps that have been there for 2+ years.

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