Hi,

This is my first post. Let me give you a little background information. I've been working in the same computer related field for 8 years. I have a BS which is also in the same field. I currently make a decent living and have full benefits. However, I've grown slowly weary of my current line of work due to limited growth potential and unruly co-workers.

That being said, about a year ago I started to ponder breaking into the insurance business as it seems to have a higher ceiling than my current line of work. I originally thought of becoming an agent some day so I went ahead and got both state licenses that would let me start working as a CSR. I haven't been able to find suitbable work as a CSR since then. Most jobs seem to want experience or pay way too little.

A couple of days ago, I applied for a Cat Adjuster position at State Farm. I got an email from them saying they wanted me to come in for pre-employment testing. I went for the testing and qualified for the next round. There were probably 15 people in the test with me. I'm assuming only a handful of those people advanced to the next round. I'm pretty sure that the next round with be an actual interview. In preparation for the interview, I began researching this job more. At first the job sounded really cool but then I began reading a lot of negative features about this job like long hours, time away from home, travel expenses, etc.

Needless to say, I began questioning the appeal of the job. I think part of it is I just have cold feet and the other part is I really don't know what this job will entail. I think it will be mostly office work, but I'm uncertain. Also I'm just guessing, but I think the pay will be in the mid 30's if they offer me a job. I currently pull in almost 50k, but where I work they don't even require college degrees so I work with a ton of hobos and, well, enough said.

The bottom line is I'm stuck between being really excited that I qualified for the next round of the employment process and second guessing the job entirely. I'm not even sure what the job at State Farm will be like nor what path it will put me on career wise. I've already read through many of the archived posts on this forum, but I thought I'd introduce myself and post my current situation.

Thanks in advance for any advice or encourgement!

I'm not sure why you are asking for advice since you've already pointed out the negatives in your mind..... long hours, no benefits, time away from home (count on it), no guarantees of ongoing work (count on that too).  All of the above are guaranteed once you start.     

I seriously doubt it will pay in the 30's. Most around here start at about 50k. I say give it a shot. The benfits are great w/ the carrier I work for, 5 wks vaction per year, great health ins, and I rarely have to work more than 40 hours. Because of the recent major storms, you will be working 12 hour ays but they pay extra for times like this.

I say give it a shot. It's better than being a CSR

Husk,

I wasn't sure how much of that would apply to an office job at State Farm. If they offer me 40K to push papers and answer phone calls for two years, I might do it just for the experience which I can use later to move into another area of insurance. If they pay me 35K to run around the country I'll turn it down. Basically, I don't know what the State Farm job specifically will be about. Thanks.

Steph,

Wow, are you serious about 50k? I've done basic research and most data comes up with a range starting at 35k up to the 60's which I figured was after decades of experience. Also, do you think they would provide all those benefits for an entry level cat job? If what you say is true, it may be worth biting the bullet. It would sure be better than my "beating a dead horse" day job now. In a typical year for an entry level carrier job, how much time is spent out of town?

Thanks for the replies!

Almost all the ins companies offer full benefits from day one. Also get 401k and a fully company paid pension. They also give yearly bonuses.

Before I started working w/ this carrier, I interviewed w/ several other carriers. None were below 45k for any position

RCA,

         Sounds like you have your wires crossed up. From what i have read you are combining things from both a staff side and an independent side. On the staff side you are provided all essentials needed to do the job. I have never worked this side but it is my understanding they provide pc, camera, vehicle, expense acct. and all that is needed for the job. You will not be spending much of your own money going this route. Not sure about the salary. On the independent side you pay for everything, and bill on a percentage of the estimate amount. as an independent you will likely be running all over the US, especially of you are multi states licensed.

Steph,

Did you find in your endeavors that the company told you what the job paid or did you have to state what you wanted to make and if so what would be an acceptable range to tell them?

Moco,

Thanks for the reply. It's good to know that a carrier will cover the costs for me if I were to get hired on. The only thing left that I would view as a negative would be the time away from home, but maybe it won't be that bad after all once I do it a few times.

rbryan,

Why do you say that? I can't imagine they would deploy me after just being hired with zero experience.

I think what rbryanhines was trying to tell you was.....do the Cat thing for State Farm if you can & your income potential is relatively good if they give you some good training & a foundation to work off of. 

If you were to take a staff position at this time, you would undoubtedly be inheriting existing files from the guys/gals hitting the storm path; and have a lot of complicated/confusing property losses dumped on your lap that are in mid-stream.  You likely aren't equipped to handle those yet, particularly if they involve fires or other causes of loss with coverage questions and just not knowing the facts of those claims from day one. 

RCA...your post just popped up about the same time as mine.   Sounds like your wife wants to get you out of the house!!  

What have you done???