The big question is, should you interview with other companies when you’re already on a good offer?

Salespeople feel as though they’re doing wrong by the company they work with, as well as the one they’re interviewing with.

If someone found out they were doing it, they would be in some kind of trouble.

I couldn’t disagree with that more.

As a start point, it should be noted that I believe all commission-only salespeople should be at a minimum working with 2 accounts, regardless of the time split. What I mean by that, 90% with your main, 10% with your second. This way, if something happens with your main, you still have some income to fall back on and it’s not full blown panic.

So how do I handle the situation?

Before I hop on any interview/call with a new offer, I make it clear that I work with multiple companies at a time.

I tell them that if I can’t do it, I will likely know someone who can.

Think about how they view me through that frame.

They know I’m not applying for the job, I’m connecting to see what they have on offer, what they’re looking for in a salesperson and if it’s a fit for me or someone else I know.

What are the possible outcomes from this?

1. I accept it on low volume/part time. 

• They get a reliable sales pro who can deliver; and 
• I get a great second/third offer. 

2. I refer them to someone else who I know can deliver.

• They get a reliable sales pro;
• That sales pro gets a solid gig; and
• I gain goodwill from two people. 

3. I assess the offer and let them know the red flags I see, and how they can fix them. 

• The company gets insight that they possibly didn’t already have;
• Whoever I refer them to gets new business;
• I gain goodwill both ways; and
• They will likely bring me in for sales once they’ve fixed their systems.

In each scenario, everybody wins.

For this reason, I am always happy to take on interviews when I’m already with an offer.

I also know that most of the good offers take months to land.

At any time, when one of my offers dips or falls through, I have 2-3 other offers that I can go to.

To put it simply, when you connect with a new company, you’re not trying to land a job then and there. You’re assessing them to see the best way you can assist.

Just be honest about your intentions, you’d be amazed how receptive the company hierarchy will be.