With relationship-building positions representing a significant portion of today’s jobs, networking is one big way post-secondary students can tap into the job market.
Trevor Buttrum, Career Connections program manager at the Insurance Institute of Canada says students should use a multi-pronged approach to the job search, which includes networking. By connecting, “you bring in a number of people who are on the lookout for you,” he says. “If you’re leveraging your network effectively, you never know who they know and how they might be able to connect you to opportunity.”
Navigating your way through the insurance industry takes more effort than simply mass emailing your resumé to top firms. Here are tips to building your network in insurance.
1. LOOK AT WHO YOU ALREADY KNOW
Without formally networking, we’re constantly making connections. Before you step out to attend the next networking event at your school or city, look at your current connections and who you could potentially reach out to for help.
“When we think about the insurance industry for example, who do you purchase your own insurance from?” asks Trevor, adding that students should first look at who their parents, family, or friends might know. “Taking stock of who’s in your network is a really important first step.”
2. RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!
Do you know what position you want to pursue in insurance? Using the role of an underwriting assistant as an example, Trevor says students should start by learning about an underwriter’s day-to-day responsibilities, and also determine why they’d be qualified.
To help find this information, the Career Connections website has many resources like information on how your post-secondary education can relate to a number of roles in insurance, as well as a listing of insurance organizations you can network with, and industry employers you can apply to.
“The other thing that’s available to you on the site is occupational profiles, so you can really understand the different roles in the insurance industry,” he says. “There’s even aquiz you can take that will help you narrow down which area of the industry might be a potential ‘fit’ for you.”
3. SET GOALS
It’s okay to be a little bit shy in the networking process. Striking up a conversation with a stranger isn’t easy for many people, so setting goals is key to a successful networking experience.
“The conversations may not be as plentiful because it’s not what comes to them naturally, but the ones they do have are probably high quality and impactful, “ says Trevor, explaining that introverted individuals are more inclined to be observers. “Setting some goals in terms of how many people you’re going to network with can be really helpful in putting yourself out there and it puts a container around the experience.”
Don’t forget, once you’ve accomplished those goals, be sure to reward yourself for your effort. (You deserve it!).
4. EASE INTO THE CONVERSATION
So what we mean is don’t put the recruiter in an awkward position. Starting a conversation with: “Hey, I’m wondering if your company is hiring,” won’t get you the job.
“First of all, who are you? How are we connected? And why should I recommend you?” asks Trevor. “Leading with a little bit more of relationship-building type of conversation—asking questions about their career, where they come from, how they got started in the industry, where they currently work, and what they like about it gives you a little bit of foundation.”
With all the preparation you’ve done, it can now be put to good use when chatting up recruiters. Trevor suggests that if you’re formally networking, it’s favourable to prepare a 30-second pitch to weave into your conversations.
“The elevator pitch is something we suggest when you’re networking at career events but if you’re just networking in general, it’s figuring out how to insert that naturally into the conversations,” he explains. “Having that ready and having your job search documents in place before you start formally networking can go a long way.”
5. KEEP IN TOUCH
After all the physical networking is complete, follow through and follow up with companies that top your list. “Think about the kind of interactions you had and rank them in order of who you need to follow up with. It could be just a quick message to say it was great to meet them, or reference an aspect of the conversation that was particularly interesting or helpful to you.”
Not all insurance companies are currently hiring for the role you want. If you come to a dead end with an employer, continue to keep them as a connection. “You need to leave it in two ways,” he says. “Thank them for letting you know and ask if they know anyone else in the industry who might be looking for somebody. The other piece is to ask when you can follow up for when they think they might be looking for someone like you.”
Who knows, you might even run into them at another event, says Trevor. “Always keep looking for opportunities to naturally engage with people.”
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