I am an account manager for a very large company. The compensation plan has been changed three times so far this year. The goals are very out of reach and the percentage of payout has decreased by half.
Because the goals are so unreachable, I have been reduced to my very modest base salary until the next sales cycle. Again the goals are tremendous. The expectation is approximately 15% growth for each cycle (at 3 times per year). In about a year and a half, this would mean 100% growth. Meanwhile, the parent company, is losing money and we were all forced to take furloughs.
After taxes, my base salary resembles the top of the unemployment scale - around $550 per week. The carrot is dangled so far out, I am thinking of resigning. Like most sales people, I never signed up for this position to have to rely on my base salary.
I am wondering what my chances are for collecting unemployment in light of all of the changes. My job barely resembles the one I applied for a year and a half ago. Do I have a shot?
While on unemployment, without the stress of chasing the unrealistic carrot, I am thinking I might actually interview better. What do you think? Thanks.D.L.
DL, thank you for your question and you are indeed in the middle of making some extremely tough decisions. I see there are two main questions, should you stay at your current company or should should you look for another job.
Looking for another job:
* It is easier to find a job, when you have a job. I recommend staying at your current company while looking for another job.
- When I look at resumes, I look for gaps in employment and I believe you will interview better with a job vs., without a job.
* If you quit, you will most likely NOT qualify for unemployment. Unemployment is designed to support people who are involuntary unemployed, most often by lay-offs. If you quit, that is voluntary unemployment, and I would research your state laws for qualifying for unemployment insurance
* Even if you do qualify for unemployment, we are in the middle of the great recession and starting the jobless recovery phase. Unemployment is for a fixed amount of time and it may take you awhile to find another job.
* Insurance, if your employer offers health insurance, look at the cost of your insurance which you would now be responsible for the rates
* If you quit, are you financially independent (ie how long can you go without a job)?
* Check out my other posts on job searches:
- http://closerq.blogspot.com/2009/01/wednesday-january-21st-2009-new.html
- http://closerq.blogspot.com/2009/08/wednesday-august-5th-2009-resume-vs.html
Staying with Current Company:
* Where do you rank compared to the other sales people at your company?
- If you are in the bottom 50% look in the mirror to see what you can do to increase your sales and compensation.
- If you are in the top 20%, go to your manager with your concerns.
* Can you transfer to another division?
* Are other sales people quiting or getting laid-off? If yes, do you have the opportunity to increase your territory and your opportunities to win for business.
* You have only been with the company for 18 months, can you grind out another 18 months as the economy improves.
‘Good Deciding’. Reader Feedback, please click the comments below to give ‘DL' additional recommendations and I want your feedback on my response. Shaun Priest at shaun@closerq.com.
Because the goals are so unreachable, I have been reduced to my very modest base salary until the next sales cycle. Again the goals are tremendous. The expectation is approximately 15% growth for each cycle (at 3 times per year). In about a year and a half, this would mean 100% growth. Meanwhile, the parent company, is losing money and we were all forced to take furloughs.
After taxes, my base salary resembles the top of the unemployment scale - around $550 per week. The carrot is dangled so far out, I am thinking of resigning. Like most sales people, I never signed up for this position to have to rely on my base salary.
I am wondering what my chances are for collecting unemployment in light of all of the changes. My job barely resembles the one I applied for a year and a half ago. Do I have a shot?
While on unemployment, without the stress of chasing the unrealistic carrot, I am thinking I might actually interview better. What do you think? Thanks.D.L.
DL, thank you for your question and you are indeed in the middle of making some extremely tough decisions. I see there are two main questions, should you stay at your current company or should should you look for another job.
Looking for another job:
* It is easier to find a job, when you have a job. I recommend staying at your current company while looking for another job.
- When I look at resumes, I look for gaps in employment and I believe you will interview better with a job vs., without a job.
* If you quit, you will most likely NOT qualify for unemployment. Unemployment is designed to support people who are involuntary unemployed, most often by lay-offs. If you quit, that is voluntary unemployment, and I would research your state laws for qualifying for unemployment insurance
* Even if you do qualify for unemployment, we are in the middle of the great recession and starting the jobless recovery phase. Unemployment is for a fixed amount of time and it may take you awhile to find another job.
* Insurance, if your employer offers health insurance, look at the cost of your insurance which you would now be responsible for the rates
* If you quit, are you financially independent (ie how long can you go without a job)?
* Check out my other posts on job searches:
- http://closerq.blogspot.com/2009/01/wednesday-january-21st-2009-new.html
- http://closerq.blogspot.com/2009/08/wednesday-august-5th-2009-resume-vs.html
Staying with Current Company:
* Where do you rank compared to the other sales people at your company?
- If you are in the bottom 50% look in the mirror to see what you can do to increase your sales and compensation.
- If you are in the top 20%, go to your manager with your concerns.
* Can you transfer to another division?
* Are other sales people quiting or getting laid-off? If yes, do you have the opportunity to increase your territory and your opportunities to win for business.
* You have only been with the company for 18 months, can you grind out another 18 months as the economy improves.
‘Good Deciding’. Reader Feedback, please click the comments below to give ‘DL' additional recommendations and I want your feedback on my response. Shaun Priest at shaun@closerq.com.
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