Are these jobs more protected in this economy

[Anonymous]

Does this industry offer any extra job security in this bad economy? It seems that the companies that are going to use this type of service will still need it even in poor economic conditions?

[Anonymous]

This is only somewhat true. Some of these companies are going after smaller companies to expand and grow revenues. In the current environment smaller companies are keeping payroll in house or bringing it back. Of course, being a good producer will usually keep you around.

Unless someone above you doesn't like you of course.

[Anonymous]

Who is the market leader in this industry?

[Anonymous]

Who is the market leader in this industry?

ADP is the market leader.

[Anonymous]

Can you make reasonable money with one of the top companies, or is it more of a stepping stone?

[Anonymous]

If you are good, and work hard you can do ok. But don't plan on getting rich. Dont plan on making over 100k even.

It is not a bad place to get some sales experience and establish a record of success. But after that, you will have to move on to make some real cash.

[Anonymous]

Here is the skinny on ADP as I have worked there for 2.5 years now.

Beggining Payroll- Yea it sucks and your a newbie, do you really expect to be making $150K right out of the gate? No. You are here to learn and bust your ass and prove yourself. You'll hear a bunch of crap about how it sucks, your numbers are unattainable etc. These are the schmucks who can't sell 140K in a year. If you want to make money selling payroll you need to advance to Majors, but no one is going to help you, you need to apply on your own, hunt down the managers and make it known you want to get into Majors.

Like others said, it is a stepping stone, either for a different sales job or for moving up within ADP.

I work in a completely different division than payroll but I work closely with all of the new payroll reps. I also left ADP to do medical device sales and guess what...I'm back at ADP.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for an informative post. I hate to sound ignorant, but can you tell me more about "Majors"?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Yes to a certain degree that the jobs are protected. ADP and Paychex had some layoffs but they were much needed both in the home offices and in the field. Can you make a career at ADP or Paychex? Yes. I worked in both payroll and medical and i will say I enjoyed my tenure more in payroll despite making less money. Its really not about the money b/c in medical I was making 150 a year but I hated life, hated the constant travel, and crazy hours. I am out of medical now, but making 85K with a company suv. Quality of life is important to me and that is the most important thing especially at 32.

I think alot of people come to adp and paychex to get trained for medical or pharma. I worked in pharma. Its about dried up. I doubt in the next 10 years, they will have pharma reps maybe in biotech or injectables or any drug where I hospital or clinic has to buy.

Some ex employees are coming back to ADP and paychex and to me that says alot. Is it an easy sale, no. Can it get frustrating, yes. But at least you are not sweating a 6 million dollar quota each year like i did in medical equipment.

Imo if you are ADP, try to advance into Majors. Especially in 100+ employees. Those are great jobs and you will make over 100K with great quality of life. Sure you will have some days where you have to work late to get paperwork turned in for a deal, but it beats the hell out of dealing with a cocky ass medical sales manager.

to answer the above question. Small business divisions for both adp and paychex call businesses from 1-49 employees. Anything over that you have to refer to majors. basic major rep calls 49-99 employees, and large market reps call 100+. I think National accounts call 999+. ADP clearly is the market leader in majors. Paychex reps even know that. Paychex small business is a great division. Managers are usually decent to work with but I heard Paychex's hiring practices are arrogant as hell. They called me while at ADP for a 401K position. RD turned me down and two months later called me to offer me the job. I left for pharma after that.

Bottomline you have a good career at ADP or paychex especially if you are consistent. They both take care of the people that meet numbers. ADP's small business numbers are easier to hit than Paychex's. ADP majors quotas are higher, but still attainable.

Like I said I worked both in payroll and medical and I would say the better job longterm is in payroll. Now I work in industrial in the energy sector and the job pays comparable to pharma but the quality of life is great. I hope that helps.