Is it unprofessional to ask about incentives and salary expectations during a sales job interview?

Steven P. · 2026-09-18T16:11:37.251Z

I am unemployed and just interviewed for an inside sales position for a security products company. The Hiring manager said that the KPI is to call 10 to 15 leads per day to book meetings. Is it unprofessional by any means to ask if there is incentive for the booked meetings or even advocate for a livable wage with 10+ years experience and an almost completed MBA? She rescinded her offer to come in for a second interview shortyl after she left the call. "After reflecting on our conversation, I’ve decided not to move forward with a second interview. While I understand the importance of discussing compensation and incentive structure, I did not feel that the overall tone and communication throughout our conversation aligned with the level of professionalism and collaboration I’m looking for when building my team."

14 comments

· Sorted by Oldest

Manuel H.
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While this doesn’t put food on your table, I’ll still say it: You’ve dodged a bullet. This is a perfectly fair question to ask, in fact, I’d expect anyone in a customer facing sales role to be asking about this. Even if the answer is “this is part of the base compensation”, it’s a perfectly acceptable and necessary question to be asking.
Manuel H.
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Honestly, I’d be inclined to respond to that rejection with “Noted, you are one of those, thank you for your time and I wish you well”, but that might just be a bit too passive aggressive.
Steven P.
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(edited)·
I just want to confirm i am not taking crazy pills. I got a sense something was off before the question was asked as it is. It really is unfortunate how some of these companies act. I guess they get what they pay for.
Ayse G.
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You definitely don’t want that job!!!! If they are not comfortable discussing compensation on especially a sales role, F em respectfully. No you are not taking crazy pills. Means you dodged a bullet. I know the current feeling sucks, that’s real. But they really are not worth your time believe me!!!
Steven P.
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(edited)·
yep i had the same problem at my last company. same issue did not want to compensate appropriately for sales efforts and now i am unemployed again
Ayse G.
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I am so sorry about that. It is a shitty feeling for sure. Sales is an art form, especially enterprise SaaS if that is what your background is. Where are you based?
Steven P.
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i can dm you
Ayse G.
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Yep pls do
Paul B.
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Some companies use the interview process to scrape data or train models -- with no intention of hiring. I wouldn't rule that out, in this case.
Ozan D.
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honestly the rescind is a blessing in disguise. any company that pulls an offer because you asked reasonable questions about comp structure is telling you exactly what the working relationship would look like. 10-15 cold calls/day to book meetings with no incentive beyond base is a pretty standard red flag in B2B — the good orgs tie SDR comp to meetings booked, not just activity volume.
Jason B.
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I've had inside reps making 6-figures, ~70/30 split comm/base when in enterprise sales. Inside sales live on variable so i would be surprised if you didn't ask for a commission + accelerator. The fact that this job doesn't have that baked into the comp plan makes me think the title is not aligned to the actual role. I would walk away from this one. And for you I would say know your value and don't give discounts. Good luck
Steven P.
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and for anyone curious they want to pay 50 to 60k in long island ny
🤣1
Manuel H.
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That just adds icing to the cake Steven P.
🥳1
Steven P.
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(edited)·
and my brother said their equipment is garbage (he works in the industry as an engineer). so i'd be trying to sell crappy equipment
🎯1

Manuel H.
·
·
While this doesn’t put food on your table, I’ll still say it: You’ve dodged a bullet. This is a perfectly fair question to ask, in fact, I’d expect anyone in a customer facing sales role to be asking about this. Even if the answer is “this is part of the base compensation”, it’s a perfectly acceptable and necessary question to be asking.
Manuel H.
·
·
Honestly, I’d be inclined to respond to that rejection with “Noted, you are one of those, thank you for your time and I wish you well”, but that might just be a bit too passive aggressive.
Steven P.
·
(edited)·
I just want to confirm i am not taking crazy pills. I got a sense something was off before the question was asked as it is. It really is unfortunate how some of these companies act. I guess they get what they pay for.
Ayse G.
·
·
You definitely don’t want that job!!!! If they are not comfortable discussing compensation on especially a sales role, F em respectfully. No you are not taking crazy pills. Means you dodged a bullet. I know the current feeling sucks, that’s real. But they really are not worth your time believe me!!!
Steven P.
·
(edited)·
yep i had the same problem at my last company. same issue did not want to compensate appropriately for sales efforts and now i am unemployed again
Ayse G.
·
·
I am so sorry about that. It is a shitty feeling for sure. Sales is an art form, especially enterprise SaaS if that is what your background is. Where are you based?
Steven P.
·
·
i can dm you
Ayse G.
·
·
Yep pls do
Paul B.
·
·
Some companies use the interview process to scrape data or train models -- with no intention of hiring. I wouldn't rule that out, in this case.
Ozan D.
·
·
honestly the rescind is a blessing in disguise. any company that pulls an offer because you asked reasonable questions about comp structure is telling you exactly what the working relationship would look like. 10-15 cold calls/day to book meetings with no incentive beyond base is a pretty standard red flag in B2B — the good orgs tie SDR comp to meetings booked, not just activity volume.
Jason B.
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·
I've had inside reps making 6-figures, ~70/30 split comm/base when in enterprise sales. Inside sales live on variable so i would be surprised if you didn't ask for a commission + accelerator. The fact that this job doesn't have that baked into the comp plan makes me think the title is not aligned to the actual role. I would walk away from this one. And for you I would say know your value and don't give discounts. Good luck
Steven P.
·
·
and for anyone curious they want to pay 50 to 60k in long island ny
🤣1
Manuel H.
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·
That just adds icing to the cake Steven P.
🥳1
Steven P.
·
(edited)·
and my brother said their equipment is garbage (he works in the industry as an engineer). so i'd be trying to sell crappy equipment
🎯1