Insurance Sales?

Drakeon

So I was just contacted by an insurance group (Bankers Life and Casualty) and asked to interview for a position. They said they got my resume off Careerbuilder.com (which I did put it on), but I know I've gotten some fishy emails from other insurance companies (Farmers I think) that sounded sort of scammy, so I figured I'd ask if this sounded like that or not.

I'm also sort of skeptical due to it sounding like its mostly commission (if not all commission) based pay. Here's their career website for anyone who would like to help me sort this out. Personally, I don't really see myself as a good salesmen, but given the fact that I'm working at a grocery store for 8.75 an hour, I'm also desperate for a better job (I have a B.S.)

I told the guy I'd interview next week, but I'm not loving the idea of working there, especially if its only on commission. Yet, given just how few jobs there are out there, I'm not sure I can afford to turn this down so readily.

Shogun

The job is 100% commission-based. It is a hard-sell kind of insurance sales and you will be what is known as a 'captive agent.' This means that when you're dealing with a client/customer you are representing only the company you work for and their product. This severely limits you because that one product they offer is not going to fit everyone. Many captive agents end up becoming independent because then they can represent numerous different companies and all their products. Being a captive agent isn't really fair to you or your clients but that doesn't mean you can't or won't make money. Also just so you know I'm pretty sure Banker's is mostly devoted to seniors.

Deebaser

99% chance it is a sales job.
It is usually 100% commission based and depending on the outfit, after a time they may even charge you rent on your office.
You will be selling life insurance.
If you are the fuck up with well off family / friends, you can make bank without that much difficulty.
If not, you will be training / cold calling dozens of 'leads' a day trying to make rent.

Deebaser

Those three phrases there roughly translate to "We aren't paying you". (They may cut you a paycheck during training.)

Darkewolfe

If you don't have confidence in your ability to sell life insurance to old people, you probably ought to spend your time continuing your job hunt instead. Even if you're good at this, the money you make per hour will be minimal.

Drakeon

Yea, I was definitely iffy on this job, I'm not even actively looking for sales jobs, they just called me out of the blue. Oh well, I wasn't expecting much out of the interview, not even sure I'll go now.

kedinik

Don't sell insurance as a captive agent.

Guaranteed that you'll receive poor compensation while managers pressure you to use every unethical tool at your disposal to pad their regional numbers.