The insurance job market is on full swing as it is one of the hottest career options of 2010. People today are financially aware about insurance, they have access to resources (read the Internet) which tell them how to make comparative analysis between various insurance products. This means, insurance companies by themselves have become very competitive, are looking for hiring the best talent that can give them a higher market share.
General insurance companies and life insurance companies recruit people who have the go-getter attitude and confidence to explain to people about their insurance products. Training is provided but it has always been seen that the text book approach has limited effect. The insurance agent has to be a people's person, give a plan that can work best for the customers.The plan should be so good that the prospect should get 70 percent idea from looking at the plan. The insurance agent can clarify and confirm a few additional questions that the prospect may have. So, it is very important that the insurance agent has a good knowledge of the plan he is selling, the inclusions, the coverage amount, investment returns (if any) the exclusions, disclaimers etc. The agent is paid a handsome salary and there are commissions for targets met or exceeded.
Life insurance companies employ freelancers, retired people, students and part-time professionals to work for them. People who are selected are given adequate training and company material which they can use while showing plans to people. Life insurance is basically a thing of trust and though people should go by rationalist thinking, our human nature makes us say 'yes' to people whom we trust. This is the reason life insurance companies ask freelancers to work for them, so that they can reach out to their near and dear ones and show them the insurance plan.
Of course, there are good number of perks and financial incentives. There are many people who have earned a sizeable amount of residual income which runs into more than five figure through life insurance, as freelance life insurance agents. The insurance agent's career can be lucrative and self-fulfilling. The field of insurance is such that an individual has unlimited earning potential, there is no capping of income, you can earn as much as you want to, if you are good at your job. For the person who is working in an insurance company, he can steadily climb the corporate ladder if he or she is good at the job. Also it is recommended to have an MBA or a financial degree, because that definitely helps you in getting a high position in the company. You can also take independent insurance agency jobs as a freelancer where you can work for multiple insurance companies as you are not officially employed by them. You definitely up your stakes to get higher income here.
Apart from this, the pleasure of being self employed as an independent insurance agent is quite satisfying. However there is a downside because you have too many insurance carriers in your hand, and you have to take that extra effort to get training and become abreast with the latest developments happening with every insurance company that you are working for. If you can do it, then nothing like it! An insurance agent can be expected to earn between $30,000 to $40000 in the start and then move to $40,000 to $70,000 mid-career with people having good amount of experience can earn more than $100,000
