1. What exactly do you do?
- What field is your job in?
Insurance - What is your job title?
Office Manager Sales - Please provide a brief description of the firm or organization that you currently work for (size and general description of what type of organization it is)
Allstate Insurance Company which provides insurance and financial services to the public.
- How long have you been employed in this position?
5 years - How many hours do you work a week on average?
45 - Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)
45 - Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)
sales, office management, customer service,
- What was your gross income last year? Please include any bonuses or incentives received.
35000 - What is your expected gross income for this year? Please include any bonuses or incentives you expect to receive.
35000 - Please list any benefits you have (Please include number of weeks vacation, sick leave and type of health insurance, retirement plan 401k)
14 pto days, life insurance - Do you feel you are under/well/over compensated at your current position?
yes
2. Work environment!
- Does your job entail you working with others on a daily basis? Is this something you like/dislike about your job? Explain
Not only do I have to work with others in the office, but others within the company daily as well. Also working with clients daily
- Do you work collaboratively with supervisors/managers?
- Do you work collaboratively with your co-workers?
Yes - Describe your work location (e.g., office, home, theatre, in the field) and what you like/dislike about working in it
we are in an office where everyone can hear everything - that can be rough. Sometimes you feel you need space and can't get it.
- Please rank in order of importance from 1-8 (1- most important 8- least important) Assign each number once.
- 2 Income
- 4 Work Environment - co-workers
- 8 Work Environment - supervisors
- 3 Benefits
- 1 Hours
- 6 Level of responsibility
- 5 The actual "work" you do at your job
- 7 Job Title
3. How should someone new to the workforce get a J-O-B like yours?
- If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
I would recommend getting your property & casualty and life & health license before applying for this position. This puts you one step above the rest that are applying with out this. If you have a basic knowlege of the insurance industry, you can do well with any company
- What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours? Please be specific and explain why (e.g., social skills, organization skills, technical skills)
Patience - not only are you 'selling' but you are working with clients who get upset over the smallest things. You have to learn to let things roll off your back
organization - not doing what needs to be done doesn't just effect your company, it can effect people's lifes. Were you supposed to mail in that life application, and you forgot -then that person passes away?? could be a major issue
- Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
yes, the knowlege and training about insurance coverages and what they do for people is very imporatnt - What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
Don't just 'sell' people. Be understanding, do whats best for THEM not for you or the company. Be ethical. People respect that, and if they know they aren't being 'sold' they are going to be a lot more likely to purchase from you , and refer their friends and family
4. How did you get your J-O-B
- How did you find your current job? (e.g. newspaper, internet, referral, etc.)
thru a temporary service - What was the application process for your job? (e.g. submitted resume, paper application, electronic application, all, etc.)
resume in office then 2 interviews - Did you have to interview for your current job? If yes, what did the interview process entail? (e.g., number of interviews, who you interviewed with, group interview, individual interview, etc.)
There was a single interview then a group interview. At one point I had 5 agents throwing questions at me. - If you can remember, what questions were you asked at your interview?
they give you some 'examples' of situations and ask you what you would do. They ask about your prior work history as well, why you left places etc - Is this the job / field you planned to work in?
No - If your job is in a different field from your original plan how did you get here? Explain (Plan can be from high school/college/post college/personal plan)
I was looking for a full time 'career' when I was 18. My Mom mentioned that I should stop at our current insurance agents office and ask if they were hiring. I did and I got the job. They 'trained' me to learn what I have, and helped me become what I am today in my career.
5. Background: Are you qualified?
- Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?
Yes you must learn each companies SPECIFIC rules - in insurance you learn something new EVERY single day. The licensing part can be a bit scary, there is a LOT of info your covering, but the hands on is the best training you can have. - Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain
In a way - there are always new situations that arise that you help - Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain
Not really. - If applicable, do you feel your internship experience helped you prepare you for your job?
6. The Future and Beyond (FINAL SECTION)
- If someone were to observe you at work, what would he or she say is "fun" about your job?
At this point I set my own pase and I don't answer directly to anyone. Some days I get more done then others, and as long as the final monthly tally shows I'm selling, thats what counts. - What is (are) the most fulfilling aspect(s) and least fulfilling aspect(s) of your current employment? (e.g. fiscal, spiritual, type of work, hours, commute, compensation, etc.)
I enjoy helping people understand insurance - Right now I don't feel that insurance sales producers get enough 'credit' for this as a career. you can make or break a person by not helping them understand insurance and their needs. When I can explain a policy to someone and they get it, you almost hear that click, thats why I love my job. I dont like that the companies require us to write a certain amount of policies - there are times I dont think I should sell someone a policy but with pressure from the big wigs, you almost have to. Also most sales producers work for agents, and the agents are 'small business owners' and were not employed by the big company. So we don't get benefits, or all the 'extra's we should. - Is your current employment part of your career plan? Why or why not?
This is the 2nd time I've came back into the insurance field after leaving- I dont know right now honestly what my future holds career wise. - What are your current career goals? (Can be broad or specific)
I want to own my own business - whether is be an insurance agency or something else completely. But my knowledge of insurance and what it does for people will always be close to my heart. I will always help people with it as long as I can, and as long as they will listen. - Is there anything else you would like to share about your career?
no
7. A Day in the Life Of...
- 7 am - 8 am
- 8 am - 9 am
- 9 am - 10 am
- 10 am - 11 am
- 11 am - 12 am
- 12 am - 1 pm
- 1 pm - 2 pm
- 2 pm - 3 pm
- 3 pm - 4 pm
- 4 pm - 5 pm
- 5 pm - 6 pm
- 6 pm - 7 pm
- 7 pm - 8 pm
- 8 pm - 9 pm
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- 10 pm - 11 pm
- 11 pm - 12 pm