Commission Sales Jobs: Are They for You?

Commission sales jobs are perfect for some people, while others simply can't make it work. I'm a member of the latter group of people, which might present a certain bias to this article, but I've found that most commission sales jobs are far from fair to the employee. If you are considering taking a commission sales job, answer the following questions about yourself as honestly as possible.

Do you depend on a guaranteed paycheck?
Commission sales jobs do not guarantee that you will earn a certain amount from week to week. Some have a low hourly rate, while commission is extra, but it still might not pay as much as a salaried job. If you are supporting a family, saving for a new car, or are simply struggling to make rent every month, a commission job might not be the best way to go. However, if you are good at sales, then a commission job might earn you more money than you could possibly make on salary. It depends how well you can sell a product or service.

Are you a "people person"?
If you are uncomfortable approaching and talking to people, then you might not flourish in a commission sales job. These types of positions require that you be gregarious and full of life as you try to convince people to purchase a new car or a new pair of shoes or to switch to XYZ Energy Co. People who do well in commission sales jobs are naturally good at relating to people, and are persistent to a fault.