The Growing Trend of 100% Commission Jobs: Have We Just Accepted It?
After nearly a decade in business development—primarily within advertising, design, illustration, and the music sector—I consider myself well-versed and skilled in my field. I’ve successfully assisted agencies in securing valuable projects.
Recently, I’ve begun exploring a new passion in voice acting (which I’m thrilled about!), but I’m still actively engaged in biz dev on the side to support myself while I build my portfolio. However, I’m astonished by a troubling trend: a significant number of companies now expect employees to work on a purely commission basis.
In just a few weeks, I’ve had at least five discussions with agencies that feel it’s acceptable to offer zero base salary—only commission. And I’m not referring to struggling startups; these are established businesses that seemingly want to avoid any financial risk in their hiring process.
Today, I spoke with someone who bluntly stated, “We can’t afford to pay you a salary, but we’ll give you 10% of whatever you generate.”
Seriously?
Business development involves much more than just making a few calls and cashing in. It requires time and effort to build relationships, pitch ideas, follow up, negotiate, and ultimately secure projects. And let’s be honest—10% of an agency project rarely amounts to a significant income. Effectively, they’re asking people to work for free, with the possibility of payment only if success occurs.
Maybe it’s just my bad luck, but I can’t shake the feeling that this is becoming the norm. Are people genuinely accepting these kinds of positions? Is this the new standard? Because it feels like a major red flag to me, and I’m interested to hear if others are experiencing the same trend.
I’d love to get your thoughts—have you noticed this shift too, or am I merely encountering a string of particularly audacious companies?
2 Comments
You’re definitely not alone in noticing this troubling trend. It’s concerning to see established businesses opting for 100% commission roles, especially when they expect highly skilled professionals, like yourself, to take on the entirety of the financial risk. Business development is indeed a critical function that requires significant effort, relationship-building, and strategy—not to mention the emotional labor involved in pursuing leads that may or may not pan out.
The justification of not having a budget for salaries while offering commission-only compensation reflects a broader issue in the industry. It seems to stem from a growing reluctance among companies to invest in their people while still wanting to benefit from the expertise they bring. Expecting individuals with experience and skills to work for free on the hope of future commission is not only unfair, but can also signal a lack of sustainability and responsibility in the organization’s business model.
While some may be willing to take these roles, especially if they are confident in their ability to generate sales, it’s crucial to evaluate the bigger picture. Are these companies truly sustainable? Is the commission structure fair, and does it provide enough incentive to compensate for the risk?
Networking and relationship-building are foundational to business development, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of financial stability. If more professionals speak up about these practices, it can help raise awareness and encourage companies to reconsider their approaches. It might be worthwhile to hold out for opportunities that value your expertise with a reasonable base salary plus commission, rather than settling for roles that could lead to potential financial strain.
Stay cautious and keep that excitement for voice acting alive! It’s great that you’re diversifying your skills—hopefully, that opens doors to more favorable opportunities.
Thank you for bringing this important issue to light! Your experience echoes what many are feeling in the current job market, particularly in fields like business development and sales where commission-based roles are becoming more prevalent. It’s concerning that established companies are opting for a model that offloads the financial risk onto employees, potentially undermining the expertise and effort that professionals bring to the table.
I’ve noticed a few trends that might be contributing to this shift. Firstly, the rise of the gig economy has changed employer expectations, leading some companies to view traditional roles as too costly or fixed. Secondly, the emphasis on performance metrics can sometimes lead organizations to overlook the value of foundational work—like relationship building and strategic planning—that often doesn’t have immediate financial returns.
For professionals considering these roles, I think it’s crucial to assess not only the potential earnings but also the support and resources the company offers. Are they providing training, leads, or marketing support? A collaborative environment might offset some of the risks associated with a commission-only structure.
Furthermore, discussions around fair compensation should be a continuous dialogue in our industry. It might be beneficial for all of us to come together and advocate for more transparent pay structures. Perhaps sharing our experiences more widely could encourage a shift in mindset, prompting companies to rethink their approach to compensation.
I appreciate you starting this conversation—it’s vital as we navigate this evolving landscape together!