Insurance Agent as a Career

In this economic downturn, there are many jobs gone, many people jobless, yet there are many people in Indonesia shun away from job offer as insurance agent. It is ironic as demand from insurance companies are still there, they are recruiting.

Common reasons for people not to choose this job amongst others are:

Because an insurance agent earns mainly from commission without basic salary.
Because many people do not feel comfortable with direct selling, face to face persuasion.
For the new agent (Financial Adviser) it will make them broken when no one closing sale was made after they meet more than tens people

Below are some facts and information about an insurance agent (also referred as Financial Advisor):

The Work
An FA develops and manages relationships with retail/mass market clients. FAs will determine the clients’ risk profiles, understanding each unique individuals' needs, and provide recommendation on the most suitable financial products.

For Financial Advicers, extended hours are not uncommon, as they have to fit the potential clients' time for meetings. Some extra hours may also be needed to handle administrative matters, or conduct weekend sales road shows.

Requirements
Working as insurance agent is not as simple as selling insurance policies. Current array of insurance products are more and more complex as many of them also tied to investment instruments. A FA typically requires a Degree, Diploma or other relevant professional qualifications e.g. the Certified Financial Advisor (CFA).

As an FA gains more experience, he can aspire to manage clients with larger sums to invest (e.g. by progressing to become a Unit Manager), specialize in a product (e.g. pension and retirement planning). Some may move laterally into a complementary area of work (e.g. product structuring, compliance) and yet others may consider launching their own businesses as independent financial advisers.

Other important skills:
• Possess strong communication and listening skills
• Have the ability to network and establish relationships with clients
• Possess persuasiveness, determination and tenacity
• Possess self-motivation and organisational skills
• Have high levels of numeracy
• Be attentive to details
• Have a target-driven mindset
• Have confidence and the resilience to cope with setbacks and to survive difficult circumstances

Earnings
A considerable portion of an FA’s pay will depend on the commissions or bonuses earned on meeting and exceeding sale targets, most of them even earn from commissions only. The levels of commissions and bonuses vary according to the employer.

So really, open up your mind...go find out more about a career in Finanical Advisor. Regardless of your decision to join or not, what you will then have is another option you can take on when needed, a backup just in case things don't turn out well for you. If you're looking for job security, look for one that you don't have to rely on someone else to give it to you. Or take it away from you. I think financial planning fits that perfectly. People always look for the safer option. Fixed salary means job security, or so it seems. That's very shallow, isn't it? I hope this economic downturn has enlightened some of these people. The only job security in this world is when your job isn't given by someone and it cannot be taken away by another person. As long as you're at the mercy of someone (your superior), your so-called job security is a mirage.

Whatever is written above is definitely true and is being experienced by our fellow associates. Currently we are exercising our recruitment activities for Financial Advisor. Anyone out there who might be interested of knowing about what kind of future you can have as a Financial Planner, you can communicate with us through our email or my mobile number.

Regards

@MIR
http://anak-cilegon.blogspot.com
Prudential Unit Manager
081210555603
myameer@yahoo.com