Job Responsibilities
The main responsility you have at an Insurance Agency is to
sell Insurance, and lots of it. Most of your time should be spent
prospecting and selling. You will spend some time in required
classes. You need to be able to juggle priorities.
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Job Requirements
You need to have Insurances licenses in the states in which you
choose to sell. Life is mandatory. Accident and Health is
advisable and can usually be obtained after hire. It is
advisable that you obtain your series 6 and 63 to sell variable
insurance. You can obtain your series 7 in lieu of the 6. If
possible get the 7. It gives you more options if things don't
work out. There are no special educational requirements, but
lately managers are looking for those who can sell to high net
worth individuals and they highly regard advanced degrees and the
contacts that go along with them.
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Uppers
They best part about the job is selling to people who need your product.
Closing a deal when the sale was tough is great as well. If you like learning,
it never stops. So you can enjoy continuing education.
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Downers
The worst part of being and agent is not making quota and having
to continuously prospect. It is tough, if you do not have a
network already established.
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Lifestyle
At the beginning the hours that you keep are very long if you want to make it.
Prospect all day and usually you will sell at night, unless you have business
accounts. Even though you are out selling, you must be in the office to do
paperwork, attend classes and report on your activities. You are part of a
family as long as you are selling. Dress to imppress, image is everything.
Having a car is a plus even in Nw York so you can schedule several appointments
in one day. It helps to reduce the effect of no-shows. You will not hen have to
wait for public transportation. This cuts into your time.
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Compensation
I entered a training program for about $40,000 a year. This
number varies with experience, the company and the agency. You
usually can keep a training salary as long as you maintain your
minimum quota, if not it may become a draw and then you go on
full commission. Benefits start when you start. This is
general. Compensation varies.
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Advice to Jobseekers
Insurance comapnies will always hire. The more agents they have
the more people they can sign. If you do not have a network
already and do not think you have the personality to develop one,
forget this occupation. It is very difficult especially if you
are not mentored. If you are then you at least have half a
chance without the network. Many companies state that you are in
business for yourself, but not by yourself. Just remember this,
if you are in business for yourself you can loose money until you
decide to quit. If you are working for an insurance agency they
will terminate you for under producing. It is not the same as
working for yourself.
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