Overworked and Underpaid - Customer Success Manager (CSM) KnowBe4 Employee Review

1.0
23 Jul 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Health Benefits and "unlimited" PTO

Cons

I had heard great things about KnowBe4 and was excited to finally take the jump and become a CSM. Unfortunately, I quickly found out it's smoke and mirrors. While every other role seems to still be enjoying their work here, CSMs are extremely overworked, and underpaid, morale is suffering, and it feels like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Drastically overworked - We have been tasked with taking on almost triple the workload since going through a "restructure." We have so many tasks and busy work that we can hardly manage to provide proper customer service. Before we can even finish one task, we are pushed with another and another. Since starting this job, I have personally struggled mentally day-to-day. Being a CSM does not provide a work-life balance. I was thankful for the unlimited PTO for needed appointments until I was told to limit my requests. Now, I worry about asking for time off to see my doctors. No Recognition and unrealistic expectations - There is no individual recognition here. We are told daily we are the best, but it now feels like we are all being gaslit. After hearing we are the best, we get denied the cost of living adjustments to our pay because we get bonuses, which we don't even hit sometimes, or only get a small amount—not enough to make a difference in bills. All while we hear higher-ups flaunt their success. Limited Career Path - There is also no room for growth. After the restructuring, we lost an entire level of management. The new career path is unclear. We also don't have access to reports anymore to do our daily tasks. Why the secrecy? Our commission structure is also unclear. KnowBe4 harps on culture. Well, for CSMs, that company culture is suffering. Something needs to change, and it needs to change sooner rather than later.

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KnowBe4 Response
1y
Hello Knowster. We have taken CSM feedback, and the CRO announced multiple changes based on feedback received at the end of July. If you are still unclear about your compensation plan or production expectations, please get with your manager or the People Operations team. If any manager denies it or you feel you will be punished for taking time off to see a doctor, you must go over that with Employee Relations.

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A welcoming and inclusive environment with a patient onboarding team. Work is always fun and collaborative!

Cons

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KnowBe4 Response
2w
We’re glad to hear you feel supported! Open communication is a huge priority for us — and feedback like yours keeps us motivated. 🤗
1.0
8 Jun 2026
Recommend
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Business outlook

Pros

Great office snacks, free ev charging, cool coworkers

Cons

Out of about 100 AE's only 10 hit Quota, OTE is a joke there. It's possible to hit quota if you are lucky with your inbound leads, but if you want to hit quota every month you have to do something moreso out of the box. I was trained by hard closers and have a lot of expierence with cold calls so i came up with my own script and was getting a demo a day, and was doing a demo a day. The demos did lead to sales as well, so it wasn't a waste of time. I got fired because of a "lack of professionalism" I spoke off script all the time because speaking on script leads you in to the Kool-aid drinkers club, aka not hitting quota consistently. I was fired without warning, even though I was told I had an incredible work ethic and was exceeding the ramp-up numbers. I just didnt match their sales style, they are not looking for salespeople, they are looking for sales associates. They make you work 9-hour days, 1 hour mandatory lunch that has to be taken in the middle of the day. 9-6pm. Their handbook even says you are allowed to take this lunch at 5 pm to go home sooner, but the managers never let that happen. DO NOT BE CREATIVE AT THIS JOB, DRINK THE JUICE.

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