Need advice tech sales or high finance
Hey everyone,
Looking for some advice here. Got two offers on the table, and I’m struggling to pick a lane. Both seem solid, but they’re pretty different. Would love to hear what people think.
Tech Enterprise Sales: Think massive SaaS player with a well-known name (not naming names, but think Adobe/Microsoft/Oracle/Salesforce). The role is enterprise sales, managing Fortune 500 accounts and pitching high-ticket solutions. I’d be meeting C-suite execs regularly, building a strong network, and dealing with big deals that have an actual impact. The culture is more relaxed, people are nicer and more down to earth, but their backgrounds are definitely less impressive than what you’d find in finance. Pay is competitive: very solid base, and the potential bonus way exceeds what I’d make in ER. Growth potential here feels insane, like you could be making serious money much faster if you’re good (Account Executives I’ve heard make 300/400k with directors touching 600/700).
Equity Research Analyst at top BB (GS,MS,JPM) - TMT), exciting sector that I’m passionate about and of course more prestige + developing real “technical” skills that are arguably very transferable. There’s a clear progression path into the buyside or potentially a senior analyst seat, but comp progression here feels slower compared to sales unless you make it to a senior role.
Comp starting out is about the same, but the tech role clearly scales faster if you’re a killer. The BB equity research seat has stronger prestige, but it feels more structured and slower to scale.
For context, I’m early in my career (0-2 years out of school), and my background is finance-heavy. Long term, I care about comp, optionality, and not being miserable at work.
Would appreciate any advice.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's a breakdown to help you decide:
Tech Enterprise Sales: - Pros: - High earning potential, especially if you're a top performer. Account Executives can make $300K-$400K, and Directors can hit $600K-$700K after a few years. - Faster comp growth compared to equity research, especially if you excel. - Work-life balance is generally better, with a more relaxed culture and fewer hours. - Strong networking opportunities with C-suite executives and Fortune 500 companies. - Career flexibility: Sales skills are transferable across industries, and tech sales roles are in high demand. - Cons: - Sales is performance-driven and can be risky. If your territory or timing is off, you might struggle to hit targets. - Less prestige compared to a BB equity research role. - The intellectual barrier to entry is lower, so you might not find the same caliber of colleagues as in finance.
Equity Research Analyst (BB - TMT): - Pros: - Prestige: Working at a top BB in a hot sector like TMT is a strong resume booster. - Transferable technical skills: Modeling, valuation, and sector expertise can open doors to the buyside (hedge funds, asset management) or senior analyst roles. - Structured career progression with clear paths to senior roles. - Passion for the sector: If you're genuinely interested in TMT, this could be more fulfilling. - Cons: - Slower comp growth compared to tech sales unless you reach senior levels. - Work-life balance can be challenging, especially in the early years. - The industry faces structural challenges (e.g., MiFID II, bundling with S&T), which could limit long-term growth.
Key Considerations: 1. Compensation: If maximizing earnings quickly is your priority, tech sales has a clear edge. However, it’s performance-driven, so you need to be confident in your ability to excel. 2. Optionality: Equity research offers more transferable technical skills and prestige, which could provide better long-term optionality if you want to pivot to the buyside or other finance roles. 3. Work-Life Balance: Tech sales generally offers a better lifestyle, with fewer hours and a more relaxed culture. 4. Passion: If you’re genuinely passionate about TMT and finance, equity research might be more fulfilling despite the slower comp growth.
Final Thoughts: If you value faster comp growth, better work-life balance, and are confident in your sales abilities, tech enterprise sales is a strong choice. However, if you prioritize prestige, technical skill development, and long-term optionality in finance, the BB equity research role is the way to go.
For more insights, check out these threads: - Tech Sales: [url:https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/other/software-engineering-seems-… Engineering seems like the best job one could have) - Equity Research: [url:https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/equity-research/career-ladder-equ… Ladder: Equity Research vs. Investment Banking - (A Definitive Guide, Part 3))
Sources: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/equity-research/career-ladder-equity-research-vs-investment-banking-a-definitive-guide-part-3?customgpt=1, Do New Grads In Tech Really Make $250K+ Straight Out Of Undergrad?, Tech As An Alternative to Finance, Sales in S&T vs (Tech) Sales, Q&A - Commercial Banking Credit Risk SVP in Southeast USA
You would be insane in my opinion to take tech sales. In the short term you completely remove any technical skillset or optionality. You will be completely shut off from high finance from here on out and have a hard time getting any meaningful non-sales role.
In the medium-term, your comp could be fine if you’re great at the job. Most people aren’t and either burn out or spend their career bouncing around from failure to failure or to customer success roles where earning is severely limited. You’ll likely reach your comp ceiling within 5 years in the $200-500k range if you’re lucky and rarely if ever be able to outperform this.
In the long-term, you’ll continue this cycle each and every year. You don’t build a book of business and will be fighting for that same level of comp year in and out. Even if you’re a high performer for 10 years, one bad year will create huge levels of stress and job insecurity.
My advice - run towards the finance role. You can quite literally always come back to tech sales. You will not regret building a legit skill-set, and may very much regret not.
Sincerely,
Post MBA in finance, pre mba software sales guru
I would say tech sales. Only caveat is that tech companies squeeze sales guys when they an extra juice for earnings
depends on what kind of person you are and what drives you. Are you personable, are you outgoing? Are you driven by competition? Do you place a high value on your social life..Then tech sales is the answer here.
if you are more analytically inclined, someone who likes to get into the weeds of a business, follow earnings…then ER.
forget comp for the moment, both comp well. I’ll have to say, I went from sales (wealth management) to IB and I do miss sales at times. Having comp tied directly to your work, meaning you get paid month or that quarter, based on the work YOU did…it’s a great feeling. Takes years to reach that level in “high finance” and if you make it to analyst or MD in IB, at end of the day, your company’s earnings and other aspects dictate your own earnings. Tech sales is similar, but if you get stock options you can exponentially increase your wealth.
Selling is easy, if you’re inclined that way..especially in a seat where you are selling competitive tech software. And if you don’t want to have to sell sell sell, many people who are good go from AE to some strategic bigger high level manager role. I know a guy who sold software at a big tech company and now heads AI for their Americas division..he’s also an idiot but great with people.
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