If You Can't Jump into Sales Yet...

[futureinsuranceguy]

From reading many of the threads in here, I realize a lot of people come here hoping to make a quick buck and don't want to actually stick with insurance. I really don't want that to be me! However, being realistic and looking at my finances, I'm probably not in any place to start a sales career yet.

So then that makes me wonder- what can I do that's insurance related now so I can be prepared for it? Should I even bother taking my licensing exams if it's not something I can do yet?

As a quick background, right now I'm working in Medicaid style work and have done LTC enrollment for the state in the past. I've enjoyed this but there's not really a career in it like there is in insurance sales.

Any ideas would be really helpful. I hope to get to know you all and not get too jealous of our awesomeness.

 

[Mark]

If this is something you will do in the future or one day. Start learning today. Everything that you can learn now, will help you in the future.

If nothing else you can start reading books or talking with other insurance agents.

 

[Bitnis]

I'm not sure the first thing you should do is call "a lot of people here" quick buck artists. I hate to sound like the jerk but you are the one asking if you should do anything today for a career in which you intend to pursue long term. That rings quick buck to me.

Most of the successful people here have probably used a lifetime of experience to get where they are today. Licensing is the easy part. What experience do you have that would allow someone to trust their family and money with you?

On a more kinder gentler note, yes you should start now and learn as much as you can. These days it seems like everything ties together...health, insurance, taxes, business, finance, etc. You really do have to be a jack of all trades while maintaining the ability to focus on whatever it is you do best.

 

[futureinsuranceguy]

Bitnis - the comment about the quick buck was only about the ones who come on here for one post and then dash, never to be heard from again. Trust me, I know that for every one of those types, there are more good ones sticking around giving great information.

It's ok about the maybe sounding like a jerk - I probably need a kick in the butt like that. I find myself in one of those Catch 22 situations where I want to be knowledgeable and helpful but need experience to do that- but of course I need experience to get the knowledge and be of service. I 100% agree that I don't have the experience yet.

 

[russelltw]

I would recommend something that gets you in touch with a lot of people. I have worked as a stock broker, aflac agent (not a very good experience), and now with a captive insurance company for the last 5 years.

My experience has shown that any previous job that made you interact with a lot of people was helpful. Bankers have done well. I have even seen a guy who worked at the local oil change place do well. He know a ton of people and made the transition very well. When you go into insurance, the more people you know, the better chance of success you will have. That and the 1/2 days you get to work...just pick which 12 hours you want to work.... ; )
Russelltw

 

[Dave020]

From reading many of the threads in here, I realize a lot of people come here hoping to make a quick buck and don't want to actually stick with insurance. I really don't want that to be me! However, being realistic and looking at my finances, I'm probably not in any place to start a sales career yet.

So then that makes me wonder- what can I do that's insurance related now so I can be prepared for it? Should I even bother taking my licensing exams if it's not something I can do yet?

As a quick background, right now I'm working in Medicaid style work and have done LTC enrollment for the state in the past. I've enjoyed this but there's not really a career in it like there is in insurance sales.

Any ideas would be really helpful. I hope to get to know you all and not get too jealous of our awesomeness.

Best thing to do if you have the time would be to try and get a job (part time or full time) with a successful agent. Do the gopher work, run the proposals, set up the appointments and maybe occassionally go on a call with the agent. Lots of successful agents need part-time help for these things and you will learn the business.

Story time:

When I was with NML running the Monterey office, there was a very nice woman who had worked there for some time, she was really cool. Never licensed, no interest in selling insurance but she could get the appointments and do all of the back office stuff. One day she took me aside to show me how to manipulate the NML software to produce a report of the IRR for each fund inside the VCL product. Even people at home office did not know how to do that. She was really excellent at group health proposals as well.

Had she ever wanted to be an agent, she probably could have outsold most of the successful agents on this forum as well as most of the San Jose GA agents.

That is the way to learn this business and give yourself a head start. Also, you will find out whether or not it is something you really want to do.