Questions to ask any door-to-door sales recruiter (including us)

Pay and money

1. Is this commission only, or is there a base or hourly wage? Neither is wrong, but you should know which one you’re signing up for.
2. Will I be a 1099 independent contractor or a W-2 employee? Contractors pay their own self-employment taxes and usually don’t get benefits. The IRS explains the difference ^[1].
3. Can I see the written pay plan before I commit? If it can’t be shown to you in writing, or nobody can explain it simply, treat that as an answer.
4. When and how do I get paid? Weekly, per install, or at the end of the season? Some programs hold back part of the pay until the season ends.
5. What happens to my commission when a customer cancels? Ask about chargebacks and clawbacks, and how long a sale can be clawed back after you make it.
6. What do reps who have been here 12+ months actually earn, and how is that number calculated? Industry guides call this the single best interview question ^[2]. Ask whether the number is an average, a median, or just the top earners, and whether it counts people who quit.

Costs and housing

1. Are there any fees to start, or anything I pay for up front? Gear, tablets, licenses, background checks, uniforms. Get the full list.
2. If housing is arranged, what does it cost and how is it paid? Is rent deducted from your commission? What happens to the lease if you leave early?
3. Who pays for travel, gas and licensing? Some cities require door-to-door permits. Find out who handles and pays for them.

Customers and ethics

1. How do customers cancel, and how is that explained at the door? A company that makes cancelling easy and clear is usually one that treats reps fairly too.
2. What do you do about reps who use high-pressure or misleading tactics? Listen for a real answer, not a slogan.
3. Has the company faced complaints or lawsuits about sales practices, and what changed? Search the company name with “complaints” and “lawsuit” yourself before you sign.

Training and the first weeks

1. Who trains me, for how long, and when do I knock alone? Ask whether managers ride along in your first week and how often you get coached after that.
2. What does a normal day look like, hour by hour? Start time, knocking hours, meetings and weekends.
3. What percentage of first-year reps finish the season? A company that knows this number and shares it is taking retention seriously.

Leadership and growth

1. Who would my direct manager be, and can I talk to people on their team? You’ll spend more time with your manager than with the company.
2. What does it take to become a manager, and how are managers paid? If growth depends mainly on recruiting other people, ask how much of a manager’s income comes from their own sales.
3. Can I switch products or markets if the first one doesn’t fit? Some companies sell one product; others run several programs.

The contract

1. Can I take the contract home and read it before I sign? Pressure to sign today is a red flag. University career offices recommend having a contract reviewed and talking to former reps first ^[4].
2. Is there a non-compete, a penalty for leaving early, or a required notice period? Know what it costs to walk away mid-season.
3. Can I talk to former reps, not just the ones you pick? Then actually call two or three.

Reviews and reputation

1. Where can I read reviews from your reps? Check Indeed, Glassdoor and RepVue, and look for independent rep surveys like the Door-to-Door Millionaire pest control rankings ^[3].
2. Are you the same company as other businesses with a similar name? Several unrelated companies share similar names. Make sure the reviews you read are about the company you’re actually talking to.

Answers that should worry you

• “Don’t worry about the pay plan, everyone here does great.”
• “You need to sign today to hold your spot.”
• “Our top guy made six figures his first summer,” with no word on what a typical rep made.
• “We don’t really have cancellations.”
• “You can talk to some of our reps,” followed only by hand-picked names.

For a side-by-side look at pest control, fiber, alarm and political signature jobs, plus online high-ticket and insurance sales,, read What’s the best door-to-door sales job in 2026?

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