Ever Been to a Recruitment Seminar?

[darnardo]

Has anyone ever been to a recruitment seminar for a major insurer?

I would like to hear your experiences. I work for a large insurance company and they are evaluating their agent recruitment strategy. This is in light of a high turnout on the welcoming event but very few agents signing up.

As many of you know the number of agents in the US is depleting (especially those agents who sell mostly from 1 insurer). I'm sure many of you are now independent agents and view your first captive job as an initiation of the sort. Many major insurers (Including the one I work for) hire agents with no previous insurance experience. They hire in groups and have similar recruitment seminars where experienced agents and maybe even the CEO talk of the benefits of working for the company etc...

I assume many of you that have been to these events have an oppinion. Too much formality and not enough practicality perhaps?

I am in a position to make some changes to these events but I need your valuable feedback to do so...

 

[TNAgent]

I have been to two.
Marketed heavily in the paper, monster, careerbuilder and more.
the first had 5 people there and the second 3.
the first was Liberty National
the second was Bankers life and Casualty.

I think it is a time saver, however it gives the impression of MLM and like you are selling them something. For many people that have never worked a job like this, it is a turnoff because they do not want to be sold their next job. At both of the presentations 1 person took off which I always think is rude, but it's their time too...lol

Just thought i would share since you asked.

 

[FL P&C Broker]

If they can't take the time to set up a one-on-one interview they can't take the time to help me in the future if I was to work with them. I have never had a good experience with recruitment seminars.

 

[alexkane03]

well , after 20 years I tell you ......take the good leave the bad . can not throw the baby with the bath water , sooooo one day when you are building your agency you might use this method to attract new agents , always think how can I use this Info .

 

[darnardo]

If they can't take the time to set up a one-on-one interview they can't take the time to help me in the future if I was to work with them. I have never had a good experience with recruitment seminars.

I think you misunderstand the purpose...The seminar is meant to attract candidates to apply... The problem we are having is that many people are showing up to the seminar but not enough are applying.

 

[VolAgent]

And yet again, you showed how great an analyst you are by missing the point.

I agree with EDM completely. You can not take any company serious that wants to recruit you via a cattle call. Also, I am not aware of any major insurer that recruits in such a manner, certainly not one worth working for. Think about it, TNAgent listed two companies that recruit in such a way, do you really want to use a method similar to them? Of course, feel free to post the name of one reputable, major insurer that recruits via seminar and prove me wrong.

I think you misunderstand the purpose...The seminar is meant to attract candidates to apply... The problem we are having is that many people are showing up to the seminar but not enough are applying.

 

[darnardo]

TNAgent

Did you meet the sales manager or general agent at anytime during the session?

You seemed discouraged did you apply anyway?

In your oppinion what is a good method to attract potential talent?

Thanks for your input

 

[jehargro]

Yes, I wouldn't waste my time

 

[FL P&C Broker]

To further make my point:

I interviewed with all the big companies in my area; Mass, New England, Northwestern, Metlife etc. All of them had a face-to-face for the first interview.

Bankers, NAA and a couple other companies contacted me about coming to there "group interview". The first thing I made sure I did was put their number under "Do Not Pick Up" on my cell phone.

 

[Cenla Agent]

I went to a "group interview" with MetLife years ago, before I was licensed. I would imagine the reason the manager did it that way was because his office was about 2 hours away from this particular town and he didn't have a lot of time to devote to one on one interviews.

AFLAC is another company that frequently does group interviews.