Aug. 3 Insurance industry: I have researched a bit into this before. It was probably at the job fair at the University of Alberta where I picked a brochure about it.
I cut out this article "Be assured that this industry offers the same security you'll be selling" by Meaghan Greaves (Talent Egg) in the Metro on Apr. 23, 2014:
Before you start a career in any field, it’s important to find out all the major details you should know.
While you’ll learn a lot hands-on, a little bit of research can go a long way in preparing you for the perks and challenges of a particular career.
These five things about insurance can help you get started!
It’s inclusive
One of the great things about the insurance industry is that you don’t have to have a specific educational background or set of work experiences.
Insurance is all around us and touches virtually everything we do in life and in business!
While there are many insurance diploma programs, certifications and specializations that can offer you a distinct advantage, you can hatch a great career in insurance without necessarily having a background in insurance.
Many top insurance companies assess a potential hire based on their knowledge, skills and previous work experience as it relates to their current needs.
Since insurance is involved in so many different aspects of our lives, that previous knowledge and experience can come from many different areas: cars, business, medical terminology, the law and infrastructure are all excellent examples.
Employers in insurance recognize that some additional training and education is required to ensure you can excel in your insurance career and to round out your knowledge – often, the cost for this training will be picked up by your employer.
Insurance is also inclusive from a demographic perspective! 63% of industry professionals are women and 14% identify as a visible minority, compared to 17% in the general Canadian labour market.
It’s exciting
Many people see working in insurance as a 9 – 5 desk job that involves working in isolation.
Nothing could be further from the truth!
While many roles do have an element of independence, an insurance career often calls for frequent client interaction, teamwork, networking and professional stewardship.
These activities not only provide variety, they also provide a well-rounded set of experience that can help you find a role or set of responsibilities that matches how you like to work.
The roles are highly varied
Besides a range of different responsibilities, opportunities for career specialization abound in insurance.
Whether you are a number cruncher, like working with people, can spot trouble before it happens or enjoy research and analysis, there is likely a role for you.
Job opportunities posted on TalentEgg in insurance include: Claims Representative, Underwriter, Insurance Advisor and more!
These positions include tasks like developing strategies and putting policies into place for your clients, understanding the goals and risk tolerance of your clients and being an independent and collaborative worker to meet personal and team goals.
There’s lots of opportunity to learn and grow
Since the insurance industry welcomes candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds, there’s a heavy emphasis on training and development, both in terms of onboarding and continual learning.
Career development programs and trainee programs are popular training formats for insurance companies to offer new hires. These training programs are designed to get you up to speed, whether you’re taking your first step in the industry or moving into a more senior role.
You can specialize in insurance
There are lots of college and university programs, specializations, designations, and certifications out there to give your education an edge or specialize your skills to a particular insurance career path.
The same goes for specializing within the industry, as your career evolves you can have the opportunity to develop niche expertise focusing on one area of the sector.
These areas can be as specific as fine wine collections, cyber liability, directors and officers insurance (for corporations, not-for-profits and other groups), or even sports and entertainment insurance.
Essentially, you can build on your education and experience to take you exactly where you want to go.
Even if you aren’t sure where your interests lie just yet, it’s great to know that you can specialize in your chosen field!
"What can you offer an insurance industry?" I cut out this article Meaghan Greaves (Talent Egg) in the Metro on Apr. 23, 2014. However, I can't find it on the internet so I have to type it up:
Communication
Customer service
Teamwork
Professionalism
"Can you over deliver?": I cut out this article "Giving the job your all and then some" by Sidneyeve Matrix (Talent Egg) in the Metro on Apr. 23, 2014:
High-performers can be counted on to deliver value, day in, day out.
In fact, superstar talent tends to exceed expectations regularly, and that’s how they get noticed by the powers-that-be.
The truism, “under promise, over deliver” has merit.
Even if the “promise” part is out of your hands because your position comes with an assigned task-list, it’s always possible to exceed expectations. Here’s how you can practice over-delivering this week to shine at work.
Think outside the box
Coming up with brand new creative ideas, or fresh combinations of existing ones, adds value to a business, project, or unit.
Think more creatively by getting out of your comfort zone and gaining new perspectives. Strike up conversations with those outside your field or market, ask questions and listen carefully to the responses.
Innovative ideas arise when you shift mindsets and put yourself in the client’s shoes. “Fall in love with your customers’ problems,” not your solutions, advises Andrew King of the University of Virginia, and you’ll be well-positioned to come up with saleable ideas and solutions based on existing needs.
Once you have some fresh new ideas, test them with a bit of research, then practice your pitch for team members, supervisors, or senior management.
Be on time
For self-starters and entrepreneurial types, consistent punctuality is absolutely essential for communicating to higher-ups that you are trustworthy and prepared to be productive.
To get ahead, business coach Dan Kennedy advises you to “be where you’re supposed to be when you’re supposed to be there, as promised, without exception, without excuse, every time, all the time.”
Managing your schedule properly is part of managing others’ expectations, and it indicates that you can be counted on for higher-stakes projects and critical, time-sensitive tasks. So be on time, and deliver on deadline.
Or better yet, be early. Having work finished ahead of schedule always gets noticed.
Volunteer for extras
There are some tasks no one puts their hand up for. Be the one to get your hands dirty.
Whether you are an entrepreneur, an intern, a middle manager striving to climb a corporate ladder, or even the CEO, this one’s for you.
“Do the jobs no one else wants to do,” advises LinkedIn author Creel Price, “tackle tough or inglorious tasks without complaint or promise of reward” and you’ll demonstrate your strong work ethic and leadership mindset.
And while you’re at it, stay on alert for the pet projects that come down from the C-suite and grab ahold of those high-visibility opportunities.
Step up, own it, stand out
Differentiate yourself by delivering exceptional work products and performance, above and beyond expectations.
Too busy or slightly unmotivated?
At those times, the secret to feeling optimistic and inspired at work is adopting what Harvard Business Review author Heidi Grant Halvorson calls a “promotion focus” – a mindset concentrated on racking up the accomplishments and achievements that will get you noticed.
One easy way to find those promotional opportunities is to be on the lookout for tasks or projects you can take ownership of.
Own it, do it, and establish a reputation as the problem solver, “the one your boss associates with getting things done,” advises Tim Murphy.
In the process you’ll increase your value to the organization, and your job security.
http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2014/04/07/can-you-over-deliver-4-ways-to-exceed-expectations-at-work/
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