As specialist HVAC recruiters we have helped hundreds of new sales engineers and sales managers negotiate terms for their next career move.

Here are our 6 top tips on what to look out for when you’re signing a contract for a new HVAC role.

1. Your sales area

As a sales professional you are likely to be assigned a specific region to cover. If you live within the area and don’t have any plans to move in the near future, you probably have very little to think about, but what if you’re planning to relocate in the next few years? Or what if the area you’ve been given is a significant commute from home? You will probably be home-based but you may only spend one day a week working at home and the rest of the time will be on the road. Be realistic about the distances you’ll need to travel and the time it will take. Does it fit in with your lifestyle and are you up for the challenge?

2. Role and responsibilities

Study your job description carefully before signing a contract with your potential employer. Ideally the list of duties should be specific so that you know what’s expected of you and can meet the expectations of your new boss. If anything is vague, ask for clarification. If there are responsibilities you’re uncomfortable with, this is your opportunity to discuss them.

3. Salary, benefits and bonuses

The contract should detail the salary, benefits and bonus that were outlined at interview and in your offer. Make sure you’re absolutely clear about how bonuses are worked out and whether they are guaranteed or discretionary. 

4. Restrictive covenants

Restrictive covenants are clauses within an employment contract that become enforcable when that employment comes to an end. They are designed to protect the company’s interests by preventing an employee from carrying out certain activities when they have left. Often HVAC sales people are so keen to sign up for their next career move that they don’t spot the small print in the employment contract and it isn’t until they want to move on again that they realize what they’ve signed up to. 

5. Hours and flexible working

Most HVAC employers offer flexible working options these days and will be happy to negotiate on hours and working patterns. However, they will only do so if they can be certain this won’t impact on productivity. If you want to work in a certain way, prefer to be home rather than office based or want to be on the road in the week and do your admin at the weekends, make sure you lay this out right at the start. 

6. Holidays

The practicalities of holidays include when the holiday year starts and ends, how many days you are entitled to, whether this increases with length of service and how time off is agreed. Beyond this, you may have specific requirements that need to be discussed with your new employer. You might be intending to make a long haul trip that requires taking more than two weeks’ holiday in one go. There may be personal events coming up such as a wedding or anniversary where dates have already been fixed. If you have commitments that impact on your holiday entitlement discuss them now to avoid difficulties later on.