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Job Interview Tips: How To Land An Insurance Job
July 29, 2023 inCompanies like Afni understand how hard it can be to secure a stable insurance job. That's why we are committed to sharing valuable tips for landing an insurance job and helping you succeed. In this article, we go into invaluable tips and strategies that will help you stand out from the competition in your search for a new insurance career.
Insurance is among the sectors with the biggest job stability and career advancement opportunities. With countless career opportunities on our platform, the insurance industry is an excellent choice for those seeking long-term professional growth.
However, you must be well-prepared to nail your interview and get an insurance job. Let’s see how to impress the job interviewer and successfully land the job.
Source: shutterstock.com/ Photo Contributor: fizkes
Why An Insurance Job Would Be A Perfect Fit
The insurance industry is highly sought-after as it provides long-lasting careers with many financial benefits. Some people may picture a boring office setting upon hearing the word insurance. Nonetheless, the truth is that the insurance industry is among the most dynamic fields to work in.
The insurance industry is essential and affects almost all businesses and individuals. For example, most businesses need some type of insurance coverage. Suppose you have health issues; in that case, you will need health insurance.
Most entry-level insurance jobs only need a GED or a high school diploma. The employers usually provide extensive training programs. With an insurance job, you can:
- learn new skills.
- advance in your career
- have a stable job.
Interview Tips for Landing an Insurance Job
Working in insurance means dealing with different responsibilities based on your job title. There are various insurance jobs, each with requirements and responsibilities.
Some of the insurance jobs people apply for include:
- Insurance Specialist
- Customer Service Representative
- Administrative Assistant
- Claims Representative
If you get an interview for an insurance job, you must prepare in advance. The interview is crucial to landing an insurance job, so let’s discover some interview tips for landing an insurance job.
Research the insurance industry
The insurance industry encompasses various sectors and job titles. To impress during the interview, you should thoroughly research the insurance industry. Under the broad category "Insurance" fall the following types of coverage:
- Auto
- Property
- Health
- Life
You show your preparedness by knowing what sectors are in the insurance industry. You should also know what each sector does.
It also shows that you understand your responsibilities. Knowledge about the role and the industry shows the interviewer your passion for the job.
You can also research the latest trends in the world of insurance. Bring up the relevant insurance trends during the interview. Discuss how they may impact the industry.
Study the job description
Before you send in your resume, ensure you thoroughly understand the job responsibilities. The job description can help you identify the role's key qualifications and skills. Tailor your resume to highlight the skills matching the job description.
Highlight any working experiences you have matching the job's responsibilities. The chances of getting an interview will be higher if you possess the skills needed.
Always stay true to your skills and qualifications because, at any time during the interview, the interviewer may ask you more in-depth questions about the qualifications you already mentioned in the resume.
Prepare for common interview questions
During the interview, you should sound confident in your answers. It is easy for nerves to get in the way. But you can get over this issue by researching the most relevant questions for an insurance job.
Research interview questions specific to the role you are interviewing for. Prepare for the interview by rehearsing your answers to questions beforehand. Be ready to answer questions about yourself. For behavioral questions, it is best to have impactful and concise answers.
The interview will likely begin with the "Why do you want to work in insurance?" This question is most often asked no matter what type of insurance role you are interviewed for.
Other basic questions you can expect to answer regardless of insurance job type are:
- what motivates you to do a good job?
- do you have strong customer service and communication skills?
- what Qualities do you value to help you succeed in insurance?
Source: shutterstock.com/ Photo Contributor: fizkes
Highlight your relevant experience and knowledge
During the interview, talk about your relevant experience in the role you are applying for. The role you are applying for is only one of the careers in insurance. Each role makes the industry and company run successfully.
So, ensure your skills match those in the job description you are interviewing for. Another big advantage is preparing examples of using past experiences in the new role.
Showing the interviewer your interest and dedication to the job will put you ahead of other applicants. You must also meet the education requirements besides having the skills needed.
Relevant education
Most jobs need specific training, licensing, or vocational certification. You will need a bachelor's degree if you are applying for a more challenging insurance job. Some jobs may even need a background in statistics and math.
In contrast, job roles like customer service representatives and sales agents only need a high school diploma or a GED. Still, having a college degree makes the candidates more attractive to the company.
Knowledge and understanding of insurance policies
Discuss the various insurance policies with your interviewer. An insurance policy is a contract between an insurer and the policyholder. It determines the claims the insurer will cover in exchange for an initial payment. The initial payment is also known as the premium.
Discussing different insurance policies showcases your industry knowledge. As well as your understanding of the specific role you applied for. It is a significant advantage to you if you know what the different insurance policies cover. For instance:
- auto insurance covers different scenarios, including liability, collision, and personal injury protection.
- property insurance covers someone's property against theft and damage. Also, it covers if someone gets injured on the property and natural disasters.
- health insurance covers a person's medical needs. The medical needs include doctor's appointments, surgeries, preventative care, and tests.
- life insurance covers the costs associated with death, including burial and mortuary costs. It also helps the family offset lost income if the deceased is the main provider.
Showcase your soft skills
Even without experience in the specific insurance role you are interviewing for, you likely have skills relevant to the role. Some of the previous skills probably match the ones needed for the job. Talk about how you can transfer previous skills to succeed in the insurance job.
For example, you can provide examples demonstrating your problem-solving skills. Most insurance roles need a similar skill set that helps with administrative tasks. Also, skills that aid in building and maintaining client relationships.
The skills most insurance jobs look for are the following:
- computer literacy
- analytical skills
- communication skills
- customer service skills
- organizational skills
- attention to detail
- problem-solving abilities
- math skills
Prepare your questions for the interviewer
Another way to prove your industry knowledge is to prepare several well-researched questions. By asking questions, you show interest in the job and determine if it is right for you. You may ask about the work culture, training, and growth opportunities.
Base the questions for your interviewer on your research about the company. Some of the questions should be technical security-centric. Also, you should find out more details about the role's responsibilities.
Remember to keep your questions until after the interview. If a candidate immediately starts asking questions, it will leave a bad impression on the interviewer.
Dress professionally and arrive prepared
First impressions matter. So, how you present yourself will be crucial to the job interview's success. It is important to dress appropriately for the industry. For example, the insurance industry favors a more conservative dress code.
Arriving at least 10 minutes early is a good way to leave a positive impression on the interviewer. If you arrive late, you may be turned away immediately.
Bring two or three copies of your resume if the interviewer asks for one. During the interview, having good posture and maintaining eye contact is important. Good posture and eye contact showcase your confidence and assurance in your abilities.
Source: shutterstock.com/ Photo Contributor: Mix and Match Studio
Start Your Insurance Career With Afni
Starting a new career is difficult, especially in an industry like insurance. Job hunting can be time-consuming. Also, finding an insurance job matching your skills may be even more challenging.
Nonetheless, with a company like Afni, you can find your next job quickly. Afni provides job listings for specific industries in each state. With Afni, you can find remote, hybrid, and on-site job opportunities listings.
Afni provides valuable insurance industry knowledge and opportunities for career advancement. With Afni, you can learn about the ins and outs of the insurance world while starting your career.
Use our interview tips for landing an insurance job with Afni today!
About the Author
Samantha is the Recruitment Marketing Manager for Afni and brings a wealth of knowledge and tips for job seekers. She holds a bachelor's degree in public relations and marketing from Mount Saint Vincent University as well as a masters degree in digital marketing and advertising from Liberty University.
