saaskicker profile picture
saaskicker profile picture

saaskicker

Enterprise AE

Celebrated Contributor
Politicker
Big Shot
+12

The woes of chasing that high base salary

Not a rant, just a PSA.


This time last year was insane for tech sales, I made the jump to a new company because "you can only get a raise if you switch jobs" and all that jazz.


This year I will have had:

  • My highest base salary
  • The lowest $ amount of deals closed

The grass isn't always greener, but the grit and grind can pay off, if you're upset about a base salary and want to chase a big number, think twice.


That being said, I've just been onboarded to a Bravado Flex role to supplement my income. Hope to keep everyone posted on that experience.

☁️ Software Tech
💰 Compensation
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26 comments

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TennisandSales
Politicker
3
Head Of Sales
oh nice another Bravado Flex story! interested to hear how that goes!

When it comes to the base salary chase its an interesting problem. The best way to provide stability for you and your family is to have a base that is sufficient for you.

one problem that i have seen play out is if you get to the TOP of the salary range for your role, and then want to make a switch, if could be harder to find a role with the same base never mind a higher one.

Not every company looks to pay top of market so if you find your self in the top just be aware that your mobility may be effected.
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
3
Bravado's Resident Asshole
the grass isn't always greener...
saaskicker
Celebrated Contributor
1
Enterprise AE
some times there's simply no grass
Gyro25
Notorious Answer
3
Account Executive
Good to remember as I start interviewing again.

Honestly, barely making quota/commission has me second guessing myself, but like you said, the grass isn't always greeners.
saaskicker
Celebrated Contributor
1
Enterprise AE
Enterprise title is nice, but if you can close a fuck ton of mid market deals and make money - you'll keep your sanity.
Gyro25
Notorious Answer
0
Account Executive
I'm just trying to close deals, regardless of size Lmao. Currently in MM though and probably won't move to enterprise till I see some evidence of an org that has reps actually hitting quota, not just the top 1%
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
I’m sorry this happened.

Do you think you would have made more in your previous role? And does the economy have anything to do with this?

I’m also interested in hearing more about Bravado Flex, and hope it all works out for you!
saaskicker
Celebrated Contributor
0
Enterprise AE
total comp, my last role i would have made more with the lower base, just higher volume of deals.

the market has a little bit to do with it, but still the sheer amount of at bats i had in my last roll gave me a better opportunity to have a shot at making commission on a more regular cadence.
punishedlad
Tycoon
1
Business Development Team Lead
So have your total earnings in this new role fallen below what you were making in your last position?
saaskicker
Celebrated Contributor
1
Enterprise AE
yes.
Diablo
Politicker
1
Sr. AE
Sorry to hear about that. I agree though base salary is very important it should not be a deal breaker if we can make make way more in commission.
FinanceEngineer
Politicker
1
Sr Director, sales and partnerships
What exactly is a Bravado Flex role? I have heard about it a couple of times in passing, but haven’t really dug too deep. Hope you crush it and being in the big $
Pachacuti
Politicker
1
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
High base often compensated for long sales cycles and lower commission rates. The ote often is about the same.
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
1
Sales Rep
Congrats on the Bravado Flex role! Tell us the details
BrianTracysLoveChild
Fire Starter
1
Account Manager
"you can only get a raise if you switch jobs" and all that jazz."

I hate this is true. Shouldn't be a thing.
saaskicker
Celebrated Contributor
0
Enterprise AE
the internal pay band politics are brutal in some places.
Maximas
Tycoon
1
Senior Sales Executive
Good luck with the side hustle,don't forget having a good base salary is never Bad!!
Maximas
Tycoon
0
Senior Sales Executive
BTW,I also have applied to the Flex role,but didn't hear yet from them,any specific criteria they require from the candidate and have you applied for a SaaS role or something else?
Feel free to reach me on my email for more info if you would love to ,it's [email protected] .
saaskicker
Celebrated Contributor
0
Enterprise AE
i don't think i "applied" to anything specifically - i think they match your proifle/background to what they have in the system. i'll post an update on my experience after a full month.
activity
Politicker
0
VP, Business Development
Yep, seems like the larger the OTE the more likely you are to miss quota.
BlueJays2591
Politicker
0
Federal Business Dev Director
Definitely keep us posted on the flex job. A lot of people are interested in hearing more. Hopefully the situation gets better for you. Hard time to sell with the economy the way it is, but it will get better. It always does
CuriousFox
WR Officer
0
🦊
Congrats to you! I can't wait to read about your experiences!
SalesJesus29
Tycoon
0
Regional Sales Director
Can someone educate me a bit on Bravado Flex? Likes/Dislikes?
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
0
Rolling 20's all day
I'm trying to keep this mindset too. The grass definitely isn't always greener.
If you like your manager, feel like your have a chance to succeed, and make the money you want then think strongly about leaving for an extra 20k on OTE.
Lambda
Tycoon
0
Sales Consultant
working hard doesnt always equate to more $$ something i am learning the hard way
Armageddon
Opinionated
0
Enterprise Account Executive
was recently offered a 50% increase in base / OTE at 5m ARR start up. The thing is, how realistic is the OTE?? In my experience, its not

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