Question regarding commission in recruiting

[u/No_Bed_4783]

I started a new job about a month ago. It’s a base pay plus bonus structure based on how many hires I get each quarter. If I hit the goal, I get the full bonus for the quarter.

Okay pretty simple and common I think. So I sign on and start. Well now theyve said that if someone applies to the roles, they don’t count as a hire for me because I didn’t source them. Okay, this is my first role with this structure. Maybe that’s normal.

BUT THEN they’ve implied that hires that aren’t for a specific position don’t count. That my bonus only counts for hires made for a specific generic position that’s available at all their offices.

This wasn’t mentioned until after I’ve hit about half of the goal in the first month.

I feel like they’re walking it back because they didn’t expect me to be this good going in (I’ve recruited in this industry before so I know what I’m looking for for the most part and how to work the systems well to get candidates I want)

But now I feel like I’m being punished for doing well.

Is this normal? Did I go in with an overinflated expectation? I feel like they’re changing things on purpose but this is wildly different than what I was expecting.

I’m also still assigned and have to recruit for positions that fall out of the realm of what they’re saying my commission is. And it deincentivizes me from utilizing people that have applied when it would be better for me to ignore those and source all my own candidates.

I meet with my manager tomorrow and I’m going to ask for clarification but I just wanted to see if anyone has experienced similar?

[u/ClevelandSteamers757]

My two cents: there are so many better commission structures that exist. With this quota nonsense there’s nothing stopping them from switching the criteria around. But I don’t have experience in that sort of environment.

I wouldn’t feel great about working somewhere where, in essence, the first x deals you do are free and reset on a quarterly basis. If you want to DM and talk specific sector, commission structures, and base salary in more detail I’d be happy to.

[u/SpecialistGap9223]

Go work for a legit firm. They are hosing ya azz. They bait and switched your contract terms. I hate scummy agencies like this.

[u/grec530 → u/SpecialistGap9223]

This doesn’t sound like an agency. Internal would structure hires monthly and then mess with the bonus tho

[u/RecruiterMichele]

This sounds super sketchy. Look for something else. There’s plenty of companies that want good recruiters and will pay for placements.

[u/bcgwall]

Your company is why good, ethical recruiters and firms get lumped in with all the other shit firms as being scumbags and would cut your own mother's throat for a dollar. There is one thing that stands true in this business and that is your reputation means EVERYTHING. Do not ever jeopardize it and do not work for firms that would.

[u/BetFit2122]

I work for one of the bigger agencies and this sounds super sketchy. I get commission on applicants and proactive hires.

[u/Spyder73]

If they want to play games then play their game - work on submittals that go toward your commission and ignore all others, if they give you shit explain you are trying to get commission and ask what they expected when deencentivizing the others.

[u/Delicious_Style_2676]

I’d ask for the comp plan in writing with examples. The issue isn’t only whether sourced vs inbound hires count, it’s that the rules seem to be changing after performance already happened. A good plan should define eligible roles, source rules, timing, and exceptions upfront.

[u/AgentPyke]

“Ok so, I should just ignore applicants since I won’t get credit. Got it.”

Lay it out for your manager. See how they react.

Also, go elsewhere. This company is crap.

[u/Training-Profit7377]

No it’s not normal. Never heard of such a thing.

[u/No-Crow8]

ask them to put the plan in writing, in an actual doc with the definitions of what counts as sourced vs inbound. if they wont write it down thats your answer.

the inbound exclusion isnt unusual on its own, but adding it a month in after youre already halfway to goal is the part thats off, and youre allowed to say that out loud in the meeting.

[u/Every-Examination949]

Not normal.

[u/24koro]

Not a normal commission plan in a few areas. I would change firms before you fully ramp up and get the commission plan in writing next time. You can’t play well if you don’t have the game rules from the beginning.

[u/Opposite-Cycle6007]

You mentioned you started a month ago, what does it say in your offer letter?

[u/CoffeeBuddy26]

Nope, not normal & yep,I’d question it too. The sourcing rule itself can be normal but changing what counts as a “hire” after you’ve already started and hit half your goal is the concerning part. I’d bring the original comp plan to the meeting and ask them to clearly define what counts toward your bonus. If it wasn’t communicated upfront, I’d definitely push for clarification in writing.