Hello guys. I am a newbie trying to get into the insurance industry. I had a interview with Farmers a few weeks ago and after some research i chose to see if I could find a better opportunity. I contacted American family and did a phone Interview. Then i submitted to have the background, credit and all those reports. The recruiter told me it would take 2-7 days for the results and that she would get back with me. I spoke to the recruiter for American family and my background, criminal history, credit came back and I was ready to move to the next step. She sends me the link to the online assessment. It took me about 90 minutes to complete since I took my time. Today I got an e-mail from her thanking me for allowing them to talk to me but at this time they chose to go with other candidates whose skills were closer to what they were looking for. That damn test did it! Ok so here is where I need some help. Is there something to help prepare to take this type tests? I have taken a few of these for different occupations in the past and the all did me in. They say just answer honestly but there has to be something else to it also. I wonder if there is like a class or book or software to help one prepare for these online assessments. I am not giving up, I am going to start talking to other Insurance companies in Utah that are looking for Agents. If any of you know any good ones please share. But I do need to find a way to get more skills to take these assessments. Thank you guys again.
Trying to Break into This Industry
- Thread starter J-da
- Start date
- 3,384
Re: Trying to Break into This Industry.
Is that the stupid LIMRA test? It is crap and one of the reasons there is a 92%+ failure rate in insurance and financial services.
I know NML (Northwestern Mutual Life (now NMFN)) gives it but used to ignore the results.
If you want to go captive, talk to Northwestern Mutual, MassMutual, New York Life, Prudential, Met or Guardian. I don't think most of them, if any, put much stock into that idiotic test.
Yeah, I flunked it too and lost a position with the Principal Financial Group. Went to NML, flunked it again and did fine there (just don't like being captive). Needless to say, 12 years later I am doing fine as an independent and, if my health insurance production counted in full, would be an annual MDRT producer.
That test is a terrible indicator of potential for success and any company that uses the result to determine whether or not to contract you (it's a commission job, they put nothing on the line) is not a company you want to waste time with.
Is that the stupid LIMRA test? It is crap and one of the reasons there is a 92%+ failure rate in insurance and financial services.
I know NML (Northwestern Mutual Life (now NMFN)) gives it but used to ignore the results.
If you want to go captive, talk to Northwestern Mutual, MassMutual, New York Life, Prudential, Met or Guardian. I don't think most of them, if any, put much stock into that idiotic test.
Yeah, I flunked it too and lost a position with the Principal Financial Group. Went to NML, flunked it again and did fine there (just don't like being captive). Needless to say, 12 years later I am doing fine as an independent and, if my health insurance production counted in full, would be an annual MDRT producer.
That test is a terrible indicator of potential for success and any company that uses the result to determine whether or not to contract you (it's a commission job, they put nothing on the line) is not a company you want to waste time with.
- Thread starter
- #4
Re: Trying to Break into This Industry.
I agree those tests are terrible. Well thanks for your input so far. I have contacted State Farm and Mutual of Omaha so far. They haven't responde since I did so in the evening yesterday. I am in the hospital waiting for my new born son, Dominic, and momma to be released today
. Thanks for the list of this others i will look into them. Im looking to get into p&c also life and health. I have this feeling that its easier to break into p&c first and then cross sell. I am I right? Any input on this? Also, I have this other idea to get a list of independent agencies around here and just pay them a visit to see if I can chat with the owner agent and see what possibilites there is to work for them. I don't have much insurance background so I am in need of a good mentor or training. Is this a good idea?
I agree those tests are terrible. Well thanks for your input so far. I have contacted State Farm and Mutual of Omaha so far. They haven't responde since I did so in the evening yesterday. I am in the hospital waiting for my new born son, Dominic, and momma to be released today
. Thanks for the list of this others i will look into them. Im looking to get into p&c also life and health. I have this feeling that its easier to break into p&c first and then cross sell. I am I right? Any input on this? Also, I have this other idea to get a list of independent agencies around here and just pay them a visit to see if I can chat with the owner agent and see what possibilites there is to work for them. I don't have much insurance background so I am in need of a good mentor or training. Is this a good idea?- 1,183
Re: Trying to Break into This Industry.
I know someone who flunked the test several times with Met who is now a successful agent with NYL.
I know someone who flunked the test several times with Met who is now a successful agent with NYL.
- 3,384
Re: Trying to Break into This Industry.
Exactly. It is a test that says most who take it won't make it and those who pass it decided to answer according to what the test wants.
You could take that test, lie your a** off and ace it. You might still fail in the business, but you could just answer according to what they want you to answer.
I know many agents who did poorly on LIMRA who are major producers. LIMRA is so 1940's.
Exactly. It is a test that says most who take it won't make it and those who pass it decided to answer according to what the test wants.
You could take that test, lie your a** off and ace it. You might still fail in the business, but you could just answer according to what they want you to answer.
I know many agents who did poorly on LIMRA who are major producers. LIMRA is so 1940's.
Re: Trying to Break into This Industry.
I always answer the test the way I think they want me to answer. I adopt a very agressive type A personality who is independently motivated, requires very little supervision, very driven, very goal oriented, but who works well with others when I answer the questions. I have always done extremely well.
I always answer the test the way I think they want me to answer. I adopt a very agressive type A personality who is independently motivated, requires very little supervision, very driven, very goal oriented, but who works well with others when I answer the questions. I have always done extremely well.
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- 14,808
Re: Trying to Break into This Industry.
I totally agree. I had to take one of those types of test to work at Beemer and I was everything they weren't looking for and I knew that. So I answered the questions knowing they were looking pretty much for a suck-up yes man.
I totally agree. I had to take one of those types of test to work at Beemer and I was everything they weren't looking for and I knew that. So I answered the questions knowing they were looking pretty much for a suck-up yes man.
- Thread starter
- #9
Re: Trying to Break into This Industry.
Anyone have opinions on this?
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Ok so a quick update. Mutual of Omaha contacted me today and I am meeting with a DM tomorrow. I was looking to get into p&c because I thought it would be easier sale for a new agent but now I am having second thoughts. I visited a few Independent agencies today around my area and only one seemed interested in "hiring me". I also turned in my reserve agent application with Farmers. So far I haven't seen to many negatives about MOO around here so I figure it may be better opportunity than Farmers. So basically as of now I am looking at three possible options. 1 go captive with farmers and get as much out of it as possible as quickly as possible and see if I can go Indy later on. 2 MOO but as of now I am just checking it out to see If they will contract me and see with what terms. 3 see if the Independent agency agrees to Interview me and mentor me. I guess time will tell. Any thoughts?
I agree those tests are terrible. Well thanks for your input so far. I have contacted State Farm and Mutual of Omaha so far. They haven't responde since I did so in the evening yesterday. I am in the hospital waiting for my new born son, Dominic, and momma to be released today
Anyone have opinions on this?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ok so a quick update. Mutual of Omaha contacted me today and I am meeting with a DM tomorrow. I was looking to get into p&c because I thought it would be easier sale for a new agent but now I am having second thoughts. I visited a few Independent agencies today around my area and only one seemed interested in "hiring me". I also turned in my reserve agent application with Farmers. So far I haven't seen to many negatives about MOO around here so I figure it may be better opportunity than Farmers. So basically as of now I am looking at three possible options. 1 go captive with farmers and get as much out of it as possible as quickly as possible and see if I can go Indy later on. 2 MOO but as of now I am just checking it out to see If they will contract me and see with what terms. 3 see if the Independent agency agrees to Interview me and mentor me. I guess time will tell. Any thoughts?
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instestinfo
New Member
- 1
Here is a link to the actual test, with some tips on how to take it
docstoc.com/docs/document-preview.aspx?doc_id=82540945
docstoc.com/docs/document-preview.aspx?doc_id=82540945
