A Job For Everyone.

Feb 24, 2023, 1:21 PM

There’s a lot of misconceptions about the industry, the most prevalent being that every job requires people to sell Insurance.

Pop culture often has obscure references to Insurance careers, usually as the mysterious profession of a parent or grandparent (Richard Gilmore, from the “Gilmore Girls” anyone??). However, the Insurance industry actually employs more people (in America) than Google, Facebook, Apple, Twitter, and Yahoo! combined, according to PropertyCasualty360. What does this mean for you? Well, whether you’re close to college graduation, or you have an established career path already, there’s an insurance job waiting for you!

There’s a lot of misconceptions about the industry, the most prevalent being that every job requires people to sell Insurance. While being an Agent is a hugely rewarding career, with endless opportunities, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Hastings Mutual Insurance Company is an Insurance carrier – which means we are the providers of the Insurance, but not necessarily the ones selling it on the frontlines. We work with independent Agents, in our service areas, to talk to clients, gauge their needs, and develop a package for them. However, our internal operation requires many diverse departments to keep our clients protected. We have positions in Human Resources, Marketing, Advertising, Information Technology, Sales, Claim, and much more.

diverse insurance professionals collaborating

Interested in how to get into the industry, even if you don’t have a degree in Insurance? We can help! Speaking with Matt Thom, Talent Acquisition Specialist at Hastings Mutual, here’s an insider look into the recruiting process:

What do recruiters in the Insurance field look for, when hiring?

Regardless of the role, we always look for those with backgrounds built on both service and collaboration. It doesn’t matter where these experiences were gained, but having the ability to provide exceptional service to others, whether they be a customer in the traditional sense or your “internal” customer (i.e. peers) is vital. Likewise, while we all work independently to a degree, we are all part of a larger team with a shared goal. It’s just as important to be able to collaborate and engage with a diverse set of individuals.

Are there any specific fields of study that are beneficial for a career in Insurance?

We’ve interviewed (and hired!) individuals with degrees in English, Mechanical Engineering, a Foreign Language, Nursing, Chemistry, just to name a few. Needless to say, there isn’t a required field of study necessary to have a successful career in the industry. If I had to narrow it down, an Insurance and Risk Management major would obviously align the closest, but degrees in Finance, Business, and Marketing would also be good examples.

Any tips for applicants still in school?

I’d encourage young applicants to be “like a sponge,” and look to learn as much as you can, however you can. Likewise, be realistic with yourself- we all have to start somewhere! Don’t turn down an opportunity by its face value, you never know where it might lead.

Any tips for individuals looking to make a change to Insurance, after a career elsewhere?

For those looking to pivot to insurance, it all comes down to highlighting your transferrable skill sets. A Property Claim Adjuster, for example, doesn’t need to be an expert with construction methods and building codes – we can train that. What we can’t train is the sense of urgency, attention-to-detail, and again, that service ability which that role requires.

Are there resources for those looking to get into Insurance that you would recommend?
I would encourage anyone to keep their professional online presence up-to-date, and to opt for alerts that many organizations offer to be notified when opportunities that match your interest(s) become available. Keeping an eye on the industry overall is beneficial too. The practice of Insurance is not new by any means, but the industry, and how insurance is “delivered” is always changing.

As you can see, Insurance is a diverse industry, and with the landscape ever-changing, you can help shape the future of it. Hastings Mutual has opportunities for you to get to know us, too! If you’re still in school, Hastings Mutual offers a Summer Student Internship Program. Follow this link to find out more and apply today:

Property Claim Internship – Summer 2023

Commercial Underwriting Internship – Summer 2023

Application Development Internship – Summer 2023

Looking to make a career switch? Check out our open positions.

For more Insurance career support, visit PropertyCasualty 360.

Make sure you follow us on social media, so you can stay up-to-date with all of our exciting ventures!

The Mutual Understanding blog and Hastings Mutual videos are made available for educational purposes only. The information referred to is not an official company statement, corporate policy, or offer of coverage. Refer to your insurance policy for specific coverage. There is no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of any information found by following any link on this site. Please contact your local independent insurance agent with further questions and for more details on any insurance policy-related information you read here.

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