Insurance

Overview

Did you know that some of the hottest jobs in finance aren't on Wall Street at all? These are jobs in insurance. Insurance is a trillion dollar business that employs more than 2.5 million people in the United States alone. As the population ages and wealth grows, the demand for insurance professionals will increase dramatically. This is great news for you if your thinking of going in to insurance. Jobs in insurance involve helping individuals and business manage risk to protect themselves from catastrophic losses and to anticipate potential risk problems. Work in this area is not only personally rewarding, but can be financially rewarding as well. You will help clients understand their insurance needs, explain their options to them and hopefully help them purchase appropriate insurance policies. You could work in a variety of areas in insurance including as an underwriter, a sales representative, an asset manager, a customer service rep or an actuary. A theme that is constantly emphasized by insurance professionals is that the industry is ultimately about helping people when they need it the most. The stereotype of a slick, sleazy, fast-talking insurance salesman is largely a figment of the past.

Skills & Talents


Key Skill Area Requirement

People skills: High
Sales skills: Medium
Communication skills: High
Analytical skills: Medium
Ability to synthesize: Low
Creative ability: Medium
Initiative: Medium
Work hours: 35-55/week


The Business is About Risk Transfer

Insurance companies are in the business of assuming risk by writing policies which transfer risks from customers to themselves. This work is challenging, complex and likely to continue to prosper.

Most People in Insurance Don't Sell

Many people avoid insurance careers because they perceive that the business is about selling and slickness. Certainly, part of the business involves selling but keep in mind that insurance policies help people, especially in times of need. Moreover, most jobs in the field do not involve direct selling