oldcloser

vice office

Taking a garbage offer because you're unemployed.

@CadenceCombat's last post just gave birth to another post.

There was no gun to my head when I accepted the current role. I'd been out of work for 3 weeks, and didn't have to take a shit job.

But one came up and I jumped all over it.

Pure startup with a solution in the hype zone, enterprise scale AI/ML with the majors a year behind. $100k base, no OTE, 4% equity and straight 15%. Target deal size 2M, They had done 3 at that size, but they were board-connected buddy deals. Either way, entirely possible. So, based on the above, I know this:

One personality conflict, missed meeting or bad hair day could blow it up.
If I don't make smaller deals happen faster, I could get ditched by board-itch.

So, I'm peppering the long-cycle likely and I carved off a piece of the tech into a repeatable SaaS model that I'm pitching in MM where I've got people who will take my call.

Most would consider this insanity. I would have 10 years ago, but I'm in a spot where I can tolerate a big-risk/big-reward proposition. I think most of us cold take this kind of short term pain if that's what it turns into. It''ll prove out fast and can be completely deleted from both memory and resume upon explosion. It plays out, I get the finish line gig I didn't know existed.

No real moral to this story. All snark accepted. Void where prohibited. No food stamps, please.

/rant

🚀 Career Goals

28

38 comments

Sort by:

WheelofCheese

Opinionated

6

Sales Executive

Nothing wrong with giving it your best and see where it leads you. If you end up hating it, you can always put your feelers out for other opportunities. Best of luck!

Pachacuti

Politicker

5

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

You did what was best for you at the time and in the moment. Nothing wrong with that.

The only thing I would negotiate into the employment deal is that you get paid on what you sell, regardless if you are currently with the company. I have seen many companies hire sales people who close deals and the fire them before the solution is implemented, thus not having to pay out commissions.

SoccerandSales

Politicker

3

Account Executive

This is interesting to me as I have never come across someone having that sort of an agreement with company. How does one even go about getting that?

Pachacuti

Politicker

3

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

You ask for it and hope they agree.

oldcloser

Politicker

2

vice office

Yeah, basically how it went. They floated a 60k base verbally. I said "I wouldn't consider that for any reason" before they finished their sentence. The rest wasn't difficult.

oldcloser

Politicker

1

vice office

I told them that should execution happen before implementation, I'd stay on in a 1099 role and see any deals through. They were actually grateful for the gesture.

coletrain

Politicker

4

Account Executive

There's trash offers, then there's this.

This isn't a trash offer IMO. I don't know how compensation looked for you in the past and seems like a stopgap if it does go south otherwise a big oppty.

I agree this is a big risk/big reward chance and if nothing else can be a "I went to a low ARR startup to focus on growing that. Here's what I take from that experience"

RandyLahey

Politicker

3

Account Manager

Just fucking go for it closer. Sounds juicy enough to me.

oldcloser

Politicker

2

vice office

Yeah! How I felt. It'll work or it won't. In the meantime the fam eats.

RandyLahey

Politicker

2

Account Manager

That base increase to 100k is the best. No more 5 figure bases. Good luck Closer keep us posted.

detectivegibbles

Politicker

3

Sales Director

Void where prohibited hahaha

Space_Ghost20

Good Citizen

3

Account Executive

I don't know that I would look at this as a "garbage" offer. Risky, sure, but easily spun as a job you took because you believed in the tech and thought it was a great opportunity but the product was nowhere near market-ready, etc., should the job not pan out.

To me, a garbage opportunity is taking a step backward in title, responsibilities, pay, etc. Not saying that your job is perfect, but far from garbage.

FinanceEngineer

Politicker

3

Sr Director, sales and partnerships

This is a great position until it isn’t. Once you make enough, the commission plans change. But run it while you can. Congrats on the amazing role.

oldcloser

Politicker

0

vice office

Thanks homie!

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

2

☕️

Our EBT machine is broken.

oldcloser

Politicker

1

vice office

I could fix that for $39!

oldcloser

Politicker

1

vice office

Sign here X________________

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

2

☕️

Signed, Michael Jackson

CRAG112

Valued Contributor

2

Account Executive

You were out of a job and landed a 100k sales gig in a short time.

sounds like it’s time for the gun to head literally (sarcasm)

also sounds like you know what to do be successful.

oldcloser

Politicker

0

vice office

🙄🔫

Funny though- perspective is everything. It’s just not enough money- until I get ink. Then it’ll be a great job. 🤷🏻‍♂️

CRAG112

Valued Contributor

1

Account Executive

100k base is nice far as majority of the works is concerned.

always keep applying if that’s what you got to do.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

1

Sr Sales Executive

I'm here for the show.

Also, all the work you put in previously led you to being able to take this risk and let it play out. Could be very interesting!

Also, every AI discussion is now going to have you tagged on it. You've been warned.

oldcloser

Politicker

1

vice office

In that case- tag me in an “is AI going to replace me” chat and I’ll be sure it does. 😁👍

Sunbunny31

Politicker

1

Sr Sales Executive

You know we'll get at least one of those this week!

punishedlad

Politicker

1

Field Sales

Nothing wrong with it. I did a similar thing when I was unemployed for a few weeks. Worked the job for three weeks and then moved to greener pastures, wiping all memory of the experience from my resume.

Justatitle

Politicker

1

Account Executive

nothing wrong with taking the job and still looking on the side

oldcloser

Politicker

1

vice office

that also is in progress :)

Donutpanda

Executive

1

Enterprise Account Executive

Do it!

El_Duderino

Executive

1

Senior AE

Fuck it dude, let's go bowling. Maybe it becomes a moonshot acquisition when the market turns

oldcloser

Politicker

0

vice office

Bowling is always the answer!
I’m in

CuriousFox

WR Officer

1

🦊

What about EBT card

1

Account Executive

I once interviewed and was hired by a start-up company that I originally thought was not very professional. Within only a few months I quickly came to learn that I had a lot of freedom to use my own sales process. I pumped my heart and soul into this software company that sold software to police agencies, and it paid off big time, with 6 figures a year for the 5 years I was with them. The management were great people and I really enjoyed the time. They were acquired by a larger company and that start-up environment evaporated quickly.

oldcloser

Politicker

0

vice office

Had to be someone who had some success with a venture like this! They can't all fail. Appreciate the input!

matt_saas_eae

Personal Narrative

1

Enterprise Account Executive

I'd kill for not being unemployed right now.

oldcloser

Politicker

0

vice office

1st will get you the 2nd. Easy

1

Bus. Dev. Due.

Off I have done this. It is an awful revelation when you find out your new company sucks.

oldcloser

Politicker

0

vice office

Yes, it is. With all of the resources available that cost nothing, it’s pretty easy to keep a company current. Yet people still have a way of getting all the way in their own way. 🤷🏻‍♂️

FranchiseSalesQB

Catalyst

1

Franchise Sales QB

WAIT A MIN, WAIT A DAMN MIN!!! Am I reading this correctly, 100k base and it's garbage? If you've read any of my stuff recently, I'll trade you in a heart beat.