Job seeking in the insurance sector, if done with a structured plan in mind, can surely bring you success. But if you go ahead without positioning yourself well, you can be left directionless.
The most important step in your job hunt is to understand how the insurance job market works and what the recruitment process involves.
Self-Analysis
Whether you are looking for a new job in a different insurance company or seeking a promotion at your current workplace, you need to do some self-analyzing in order to position yourself better for an interview with the employer.
This can be done if you ask yourself some questions related to your career graph, like:
- Where am I in my professional life and where do I want to reach?
- Do I need a change and if yes, why?
- How do I plan to go about a career/job change?
- What are the different levels I need to go through for the same?
- What is my backup plan?
Market Research
The insurance job market is dynamic. The trends keep changing and the jobs that were available aplenty a few months back might suddenly not be available anymore or recruiters seem to look for more experience in candidates compared to professional degree certificates.
Recruitment processes change, there are lay-offs, pay cuts, tax hikes and many other factors that contribute to an ever-changing professional scenario for insurance jobs.
Therefore, it is vital to do a thorough market research, especially in your own field of work. You can make use of items such as the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook for this, which sheds light on career characteristics and potential in different fields.
Speaking to important people from your domain can also help you understand the growth opportunities in that particular area.
The second most important thing after market research is to research potential employers. This will ensure that you end up in a job where your talents are utilized and where there are ample growth opportunities.
Marketing Strategies
Marketing is not just important for products and services but for you as well. With the right marketing strategy, you can get yourself an interview and the job too. There are certain steps which if followed can get job seekers hired quickly.
Know your strengths
You have to pitch yourself to potential employers and convince them that you will be an asset to the company. The will also want to know about your weaknesses and how you would deal with them in the workplace.
Be sure about your career path and your future
Employers want confident people who know what they are doing and what they want to achieve. You cannot expect them to hire you if you are open to any and every position and will do whatever they ask. That shows a lack of precise goals.
Build a killer resume
Your resume speaks before you do, so make sure that the document will attract the employer and get you an interview opportunity.
Don’t just include a list of your certificates and work experience. Make it personal. Share something interesting in your cover letter. Give examples and anecdotes that portray your work ethics, capabilities and social skills.
Ace Your Job Interview
Job interviews usually present the first opportunity for a job seeker and an employer meet in person. Having a strong resume and good references may not work if you have not positioned yourself strongly for the specific job position you are seeking.
