Salary tips : Set up for Failure

I currently work for a Insurance Agent for a well established insurer. My position is as a sales producer but the majority of my time is spent in servicing existing client base with no time for selling/commission. My Agent is more interested in cross selling which benefits the agency but not the producer. The book of business is about 3K and with the established requirements to reach commission payout in place is impossible to reach due to the various responsibilities which were not included in the interview process. Currently I receive salary which a person cannot live on and have a commission structure which cannot be achieved. The agency is profitable so how should I approach this situation.

I think it's time to sit down with the agent and have a polite heart-to-heart talk about your situation. Get all the data together on your salary and any other pertinent information and just be candid about being unable to survive on the salary and being unable to actually generate commissions - given the present emphasis servicing existing accounts. If you otherwise like the job and the people, I'd say so, but I'd also ask the agent how "the two of you" can adjust your job responsibilities so you can earn an income upon which you can live. If nothing happens as a result of your conversation, I'd keep my job, but I'd quietly start a job search - keeping in mind that it's always easier to find a job when you have one. Hope this helps.

Paul W. Barada

The Negotiation Expert

Thanks Paul, great advice!

Career Tips

Set up for Failure