There are numerous opportunities for contract underwriting jobs and life underwriting jobs, as well as considerable flexibility in how agents perform their work, with many operations allowing their representatives to work from home or the office, depending on the nature of the position. One of the current trends, particularly in the life insurance industry, is to provide the option of working from home, and it is not unusual to see remote life underwriting jobs being advertised in the industry press.
Here are our top ten tips for getting a contract underwriting job.
Tip #1
Use an online job-search service which does not charge employers to advertise job openings.
Of course, many sites and agencies do charge employers to advertise so that they (the sites) can provide individual users free access, but this approach is seriously flawed!
Most employers will not advertise their vacancies with any one particular for-fee service, so such websites will never provide a comprehensive database of vacancies. Sites that are free to employers wishing to post openings, on the other hand, typically have far more comprehensive listings since they’ve removed that barrier to employers.
Tip #2
Use a website which collects and arranges vacancy information without engaging the employers in any contracts.
Again, you’re looking for a service which will have the most comprehensive vacancy information possible, so anything that a site or agency is doing to attract more vacancies is a positive attribute for you to look for and take advantage of.
You will also find that this type of resource provides the most accurate and up-to-date information on openings, and this essential for your job search.
Tip #3
Your resume is the most powerful tool you have for presenting yourself to employers — at least until they actually call you in for interview — and you must use it to good effect.
Adapt your resume to highlight the skills and experiences that most closely match those required by a particular employer. Don’t mislead an employer by claiming skills and experiences you do not have; simply underscore the relevant attributes you do have that are required by the position and employer.
This is basic marketing, and you do not want an employer having to go digging through your resume to find the right information when they have a dozen other resumes to look at.
Do not adopt a “one size fits all” policy with your resume; instead, tailor each resume to each application you make for a position.
Tip #4
Ensure that the websites you’re using are really delivering what they claim to. Check that a website has a physical mailing address and a landline telephone number. If they do not have these two simple business attributes, then avoid using them completely as they cannot be trusted.
If they do have a landline telephone number and you’re seriously considering using the site, give them a call to see if you can talk to someone actually involved in the operation.
There are all to many scams and poorly supported web services out there, all of which are likely to fail to provide any value to your job search.
Tip #5
Control your resume and make sure it’s secure.
Every agency or website you use should have a strict and transparent policy about what they do and don’t do with your resume, and should provide you with full control over who gets to see it.
Too many resumes are simply mass mailed to potential employers or employer marketing databases, which is not effective and is unprofessional. It’s not uncommon, in fact, for the same resume to cross the same desk several times from several different sources, and this makes you look desperate and unprofessional.
Tip #6
Sticking with resumes and security, remember all the important pieces of information you’ve put in your resume: your name, home address, telephone number, email address, and work history.
Just think of how an identity thief would feel if he or she were able to get hold of this information, and make sure that you’re protected from the consequences of such a fate.
A resume is an important document and should not simply be mailed to anyone who wants to look at it.
Tip #7
Arrive for an interview punctually, and dress appropriately for the occasion.
This is extremely basic advice, but some of your competing candidates won’t follow it, so this is an easy way to get out in front of some of them.
Tip #8
Do your homework and prepare properly for your interview.
Preparing well will give you confidence, and it’s usually obvious to an employer who has and who hasn’t bothered to find out about the employer and the areas they’re operating in.
Knowledge dispels fear, and you’ll feel much more confident and professional if you’ve taken the time to learn about the job, the employer, the area, and the issues.
Tip #9
Don’t be afraid to reach higher with your job search.
Look for a few vacancies that you feel are slightly above your level and send in your resume. You may be surprised at the response, and if you do get called for interview, don’t be afraid to step up to the plate and make your case for the job.
Tip #10
Finally, be confident, self-assured, and positive!
