How to Find Insurance Sales Opportunities
Working in insurance sales is a rewarding and challenging career path. After you tailor your resume, take steps to elevate your job search above the standard head-hunting websites.
The first step is to become licensed to sell insurance. Locate licensing regulations at your home state’s Department of Insurance website. Some types of licenses require coursework, while others can be completed through self-study. Almost all require you to pass an exam.
A license demonstrates your understanding of the insurance industry and reduces the amount of training an employer needs to put you through, instantly making you a more marketable candidate. Additional courses or training in sales are a definite plus and should be at the top of your resume.
Insurance is about building relationships, which usually start through networking and referrals. Ask friends and family who have long-standing relationships with their insurance agent to give you a referral. Agents and brokers often hear about job openings that never make it to job-hunting websites.
Keep an eye out for new agencies and brokerages. Start-up firms are more apt to be hiring than long-standing agencies. In the same way, listen
Pick up the phone and make some calls. Since phone manner is such an important aspect of insurance sales in today’s market, giving the agent the opportunity to hear your professionalism and confidence over the phone can set you abode the competition.
Non-traditional forms of insurance may also have career openings. Consider travel or baggage insurance, moving truck insurance, special event insurance, and other types of brokers.
Sales positions require confidence and knowing how to approach your market. You won’t succeed with every job lead, just as you won’t close every insurance sale. But through consistent effort and awareness of your own strengths and your audience, you vastly improve your chances of finding a good position.
