A Year-End Guide for Job Seekers in the Insurance Industry to Help You Land Your Dream Job in 2024!

 

Employment in the insurance industry is hot. Anyone in the industry knows it is going through a massive shuffling of talent as many retire (50% by 2028), and the challenge is to make the industry sexy enough to attract Gen Zs and Xs. In addition, the new cool insurtech jobs are getting much attention. 

What does all this mean? Tremendous opportunities are everywhere, and if you are looking to change jobs or get a job in the industry, 2024 will be your year!

One thing has changed since COVID and the hard facts about the retirement challenge. Insurance companies, brokers, agents, TPAs, and MGAs have all had to change how they care for their employees. So many jobs are now hybrid or remote. Benefits have changed to include mental health days with no questions asked. Salaries have expanded, and companies hire people intending to train instead of waiting for the perfect candidate. For job seekers, it is the perfect storm to get a job that may be better than your current position.

How do you take advantage of this in 2024? Here are four ways to do this:

Revamp Your Resume and Online Presence.

Before the new year begins, critically examine and update your resume to reflect your most recent accomplishments, skills, and experiences. Your resume must be tailored to the specific job you're targeting, emphasizing how you can add value. Ensure that your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and optimized with relevant keywords for the insurance industry. Many employers and recruiters rely on online platforms to find potential candidates, so make sure your skill sets shine.

Network in the Insurance Industry.

Networking is a powerful tool for career growth. If you can attend the annual conferences like RIMS or Workers Compensation, you will meet professionals from many types of insurance companies who may be hiring. If you can't participate in a national conference, Google "insurance industry conferences near me" and attend local events. All these events allow you to meet live humans, and with 80% of all sources of hire being referrals, the odds are in your favor!

Find Companies You Know Nothing About.

Everyone knows about traditional insurance companies like Liberty Mutual and others. You may not know that many of these large stock and mutual companies have many subsidiary companies with great jobs. On top of that, a new insurance company comes online almost every day, and while these jobs may be riskier, they also may be fantastic. This includes the over 3,000 insurtech companies who hire insurance professionals like yourself. Lastly, go to insurance conference websites and look at the list of their exhibitors. 

You will see companies exhibiting that you never knew existed, and they could have your next job. If you are looking into insurtech jobs, check this out: https://vegas.insuretechconnect.com/sponsors/. Not sure if you can find a better list of companies that may have your next excellent insurance job!

Have a Plan.

Define the type of job you want, the industries and companies you're interested in, and the path you need to take to get an interview. Rely on your networking, research, and resume optimization to ensure you get an interview. Plan on attending a couple of local or national conferences, applying for five jobs that you find at companies you have never heard of, and growing your professional digital social network on sites like LinkedIn by ten connections.  

Finally, pay attention to the power of your social network. Let them know you are looking for a specific type of job, and you may be surprised at how quickly your network responds!