Questions to Ask when Interviewing

[emg35]

I have two interviews tomorrow one at an private co that mostly deals with senior and life sales and the other with State Farm.I was hoping some of you might have some input into questions I should be asking and info that I should be trying to obtain from these Co.

 

[Norwayguy]

I have two interviews tomorrow one at an private co that mostly deals with senior and life sales and the other with State Farm.I was hoping some of you might have some input into questions I should be asking and info that I should be trying to obtain from these Co.

I think one of my top questions would be how many agents have been hired/appointed whatever in the past 5 years and of those how many still with the company....Can you speak with them etc....

Who owns the client relationship.

What do they provide to make you successful other than commissions ie mentoring, great training (and its probably not as good as they make it sound), provide you with orphaned accounts etc

 

[VolAgent]

Ask to talk to the trainer, and ask if the trainer is and has been a producer. Ask about joint work, either with the trainer or another agent. Joint work is a great way to learn the business and have an income.

If the recruiter and trainer are the same person, ask about how the person will have time to train you and still recruiter. This is vitally important if you are doing joint work.

Ask about their marketing system, how will you prospect? Will you be buying leads, doing a Project 200, calling on orphans and existing clients, etc. Ask about what if any expenses you'll face. If there will be a lot of expenses, see what your employment status is, 1099, W-2, statutory employee.

With the private company, find out about their carriers, products and the companies' financials.

 

[xrac]

Here are some questions I onced used in an interview:


AGENTS STATUS

Are agents independent or captive?
If products are not offered by ?????????? can other products be used?
What is status of orphaned clients as far as replacement products are concerned?

COMPENSATION

Are agents compensated other than commission?
What is commission structure?
Are agents independent contractors?
Are there any benefits?
Any deferred compensation?

MARKETING

What markets is targeted primarily?
What is current focus? Where is it going?
How do I acquire prospects?
Are any leads provided?

LICENSING AND E&O

What are strongest products?
Are licensing fees for insurance and Series 6 & Series 63 the agents responsibility?
If so what is the cost?
What about E&O Insurance?
What about other state licensing?

PRODUCTS

What securities products may be used namely mutual funds and variable annuities?
What types of annuities are offered? Fixed, variable, indexed?
How much of business is insurance and how much securities?
What investment products are offered?
Work site products?