What should you consider before accepting an account management job offer?

Does the company see account management as equal if not more important than new business? What most companies are realizing is that reducing churn, and growing the current client base has more value than new business. It is the secret of sustainable growth. Do they see that, agree with that, and provide the tools, training, and support aligned with that. How they view the importance of the role will tell you a ton about the culture you can expect.

Before accepting an account management job offer, you should consider the following aspects: 1)Base Pay: The salary is usually the first consideration when reviewing a new job offer. It’s important to assess the income your potential employer offers and compare it to your financial needs. 2)Benefits Package: Your salary is not the only way an employer may choose to provide financial benefits. Benefits can include financial incentives, such as stock options and retirement plans, as well as indirect financial benefits, such as health insurance. 3)Working Hours: The hours you’re required to work each week are another item to assess when evaluating a job offer. Maintaining a work life balance is also an important factor.

I love that this is #1. Candidates are usually buried in compensation when this is what drives an organization’s success. It’s crucial in understanding your superiors in acceptance of an offer, leadership regarding growth and direction, and what processes/resources are in place to assist in your development and success in the role.

One thing that is often missed in reviewing a company's culture is this: the "I can" mentality. In a positive company culture, you will encounter coworkers that have clearly defined goals and know the path to achieve them. It is going to be hard to succeed in an environment where your future colleagues are uninspired and not driven, and it is hard to be inspired without a company culture that supports its workers.

It is important to align your past experiences, both successes and failures to strategies in supporting your new book of business. For example, if you underestimated trends in the manufacturing industry that resulted in customer churn in the past, you can use this experience to better predict outcomes for future manufacturing customers. Demonstrate the knowledge you've gathered in these areas and objectively ask yourself, "will your past experiences provide added value to this particular portfolio?"

-define your territory -how warm vs cold it is -how long is the avg. cycle - are others hitting their quota? what challenges they face - how long it takes to warm a cold territory -will you get support from marketing and leadership

- what's the comp plan? - does the company stick to the plan or change it as they please? - is it transparent and clear - when do you get paid? - how does new vs. extension revenue count towards your goal - do you share comms. with other AEs or CS?

Be mindful not just of what comp is paid out but how. Is it an individuals or team number? What percentage of peers in your perspective role are achieving their comp goals? What are the companies goals for growth and how will that affect comp in coming years?

does the company measure the "how" as well as the result. meaning: - attain quota or not? - how? match activity levels? - demonstrate expected behavioural skills such as team work, learning etc. what role do they play in promotions

What kind of resources does the company offer to support you in your career journey? Do they have a clearly defined career path? What happens if you want to explore another area of the business (internal transfers)? Are promotions based on mainly merit, tenure, or other factors? Can you find examples of employees that have successfully progressed in their career at the company and if so, talk to them. How did they make those moves?

You quality of life is just as important as any aspect of the job you are evaluating. If you are a working parent, what happens when your kid is sick with no notice? Is sick paid leave different than PTO? How will your company support you? If you celebrate a specific religious holiday that isn't on the company's holiday schedule, how will they handle that? It is fair to reach out to current employees with gentle questions about their experience during the process. You should not be too aggressive in getting these answers, but you have a right to understand what to expect from your new role and who better to answer these questions than someone that has been there.

Evaluate the company's reputation, culture, and values. Understand the specifics of the role, including job responsibilities, expectations, and growth opportunities. Inquire about the accounts you will manage and assess whether they align with your expertise and interests. Consider the compensation package, including salary, benefits, bonuses, and performance incentives. Ask about the team dynamics, support structure, and opportunities for professional development and training. Research the company's market position and stability, especially in a rapidly changing industry. Consider work-life balance and how the role fits your personal life. Thoroughly evaluating these aspects will help you make an informed decision.

Why are they hiring? When is the last time someone left a good-paying, successful, stable job for no reason at all? Is the market drying up, consolidating? Does the company promise the moon and deliver a pothole? Is their actual growth opportunity or just dangled carrots? Account management companies are great at selling themselves, just as you may be great at selling a product. They're using the same tactics against you that you use on customers. Brush away the hype. Why are you hiring? What happened to the last person - lets get real and lets get real honest and maybe we can help each other. Otherwise, you're about to become the next person to turn in a notice for that position.