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I am slightly surprised that it is legal to ask potential employees for W-2s. I guess it is not like health records but tax filings are in-general private. If

I am slightly surprised that it is legal to ask potential employees for W-2s. I guess it is not like health records but tax filings are in-general private. If I were asked for W-2s, I would respond by asking for the same information from the company on the existing sales reps.

takinola 11y ago
This is fairly standard for recruiting sales people. Sales is unique in that there is a clear metric to judge performance. A W-2 is incontrovertible proof that they have been able to hit their numbers. It's a great way to cut through the bullshit.
- nickpsecurity 11y ago
  I have limited experience in sales but I agree. People look at all kinds of things for individuals and companies. I look at revenue, cash flow, and customer loyalty. Revenue for obvious reasons. Cash flow because it's what they're bringing in for real. Customer loyalty because it hints at what they can sustain and build on. For sales people, it might be what they made in terms of compensation plan and customer loyalty in terms of what they can bring to the new company. One thing not mentioned in the article, but which I've witnessed, is that great sales people often bring their customers with them to a new company if they can. One recent example from people I know involved a guy who moved to a competitor with literally over a million in sales. He just fed his customers's egos to get and keep their acquisitions then benefited when they sold their own companies on the change that mainly benefited him. Made a killing on this approach despite not even trying hard to get new customers lol. So, always worth remembering that this might happen if your product/service is interchangeable with others.
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RyJones 11y ago
Actors attach head shots to resumes, the rest of us don't. Same thing here.
- thaumasiotes 11y ago
  The rest of us in the US don't. In other countries this can be quite common.
  - RyJones 11y ago
    you're right, I haven't seen resumes from outside the US so my original remark was provincial.
  - walshemj 11y ago
    It seems to be a European thing the UK and USA don't do it as its an obvious avenue for race discrimination.

takinola 11y ago

This is fairly standard for recruiting sales people. Sales is unique in that there is a clear metric to judge performance. A W-2 is incontrovertible proof that they have been able to hit their numbers. It's a great way to cut through the bullshit.

nickpsecurity 11y ago
I have limited experience in sales but I agree. People look at all kinds of things for individuals and companies. I look at revenue, cash flow, and customer loyalty. Revenue for obvious reasons. Cash flow because it's what they're bringing in for real. Customer loyalty because it hints at what they can sustain and build on. For sales people, it might be what they made in terms of compensation plan and customer loyalty in terms of what they can bring to the new company. One thing not mentioned in the article, but which I've witnessed, is that great sales people often bring their customers with them to a new company if they can. One recent example from people I know involved a guy who moved to a competitor with literally over a million in sales. He just fed his customers's egos to get and keep their acquisitions then benefited when they sold their own companies on the change that mainly benefited him. Made a killing on this approach despite not even trying hard to get new customers lol. So, always worth remembering that this might happen if your product/service is interchangeable with others.
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RyJones 11y ago

Actors attach head shots to resumes, the rest of us don't. Same thing here.

thaumasiotes 11y ago
The rest of us in the US don't. In other countries this can be quite common.
- RyJones 11y ago
  you're right, I haven't seen resumes from outside the US so my original remark was provincial.
- walshemj 11y ago
  It seems to be a European thing the UK and USA don't do it as its an obvious avenue for race discrimination.