You’re looking for something different than the life that most of us know, on these boards.

The big wirehouses, will pay you a salary for up to 2 years while you are building your business, by then you will know if you can support yourself on commission. If you do your business the right way, you can build it so that you are getting recurring revenue, which is as good as a salary base. Its clear to me from your first post in this particular thread, that you havent done your homework on the industry yet.

[quote=GGGR]

facinated by sales, favorite flick, gggr, want to pickup sales & interview tips here but no nerve to work on commission in case i don't do well  and get fired.

are there any brokerage or fs companies who pay salary vs commission?i tired of banking,work in custservice handling credit card calls @ a mid-sized bank, good custserv skills, people skills, working on BA degree, late 40's considering crossing over to better paying position.does aarp hire salaried? friend has relative who works @ usaa in TX but says you have to work in customer service first before moving up unless you have your license.  single and considering a move.inspired by movie, facinated by good salesman in action but need security of salary, single but engaged, mingling children from prior marriages, can possibly relocate.  Live in SC but can move. USAA is in TX and AZ. AARP has brand of old or VERYOLD but if salaried may be interested, but seems to be a stigma with oldage in this country.

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Enjoys long walks on the beach and sunsets.  Beautiful music and a sweet glass of wine.  Must not smoke.  Into leather and feathers.

Scottrade or schwab pay a salary

Many non sales types, teachers, engineers etc come into our business. Those who don't learn to sell have a short, unpleasant stay.

This is a tough business to cut your selling teeth on. There are many professional sales organizations, in the tangible sales area, that offer a combo of salary and commission that could be used to build a sales resume. It might be better to start there rather than wandering into the deep end of the pool without knowing whether you'll be able to swim.

One of the most successful brokers I've ever known, a 2 million dollar producer, started by selling Fords for two years. Actually he didn't do this by choice. The  BOM of the office he wanted to work in wouldn't take anyone without sales experience, Period! In fact no one in his area would hire without sales experience. He even had trouble getting hired on by the car dealer. Over his two year stint he became the top salesman at the dealership. He did it by cold walking the neighborhoods near the dealership and cold calling every business he he could find that used pickup trucks or work vans. He mailed the monthly sales reports to the BOM and finally got in. By the way, this guy was Colonel in the Army before he retired from the military to begin his 2nd career. From Colonel to car salesman to 2 million dollar producer as a broker. How tough was that?

This story illustrates what it takes to succeed in this business. This guy was willing to do whatever it took to get in. And it paid off bigtime for him and his employer. As you interview keep in mind that this is the type of person that the industry is looking for. As for those who are afraid to make the move because they aren't sure that they can do it? Well, thanks for coming in, good luck with your career search. Those people won't get past a first interview.

None of us was sure we could do it. Yet, knots in stomach, off we went. Our time is now. We live or die by how good we are at what we do. There is no room for second guessing. There is no room for lack of confidence. Those who aren't sure need not apply.

That said, the discounters pay a salary to their order takers.