Let’s simplify things. There’s two ways your job search can fail:
From my evaluation of the readers of this site, Actuarialoutpost, and LinkedIn, I am seeing that most aspiring actuaries are suffering at step #1. If you are one of them, you’re in luck, because this is the easier problem to solve.
The first step in the hiring process is the initial communication with a company. It might involve an e-mail back and forth, a phone call, or a face to face encounter. Sending your resume into the black hole of HR systems does not count as “talking” to a company. You need real human interaction.
If you aren’t talking to a few companies a week, you aren’t trying hard enough. Make this your only goal until you succeed at step #1. There isn’t a good reason why you shouldn’t be able to have at least one real conversation with an actuary at every target company on your list. Between Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, and the SOA directory, you should be able to find an “in” to any company’s actuarial department.
You know those annoying marketers that identify you as a target customer, give you a sales pitch, and then follow up with you persistently? They might be annoying, but believe it or not they exist because this approach actually sells products. If you can channel your inner salesperson, you will greatly increase your chances of getting noticed.
Let’s start small. Here’s a challenge you can start today:
If you fail at this goal, you need to understand why. Were you too scared or shy to reach out to people? Do you lack confidence in your skills? Or is something wrong with your approach?
Getting to the bottom of this issue is the first step to success in your job search.
If you succeed, there is no reason why you can't continue this process, each week adding a few more companies to your list.
I am here to help. If you completed the challenge, just started it, or are thinking about starting but need some encouragement, e-mail me at actuarialplaybook@gmail.com or leave a comment on this post.
If you enjoyed this post, sign up to get our best content delivered to your inbox for free. No spam. Unsubscribe at any time.
- You aren’t talking to enough companies
- Once you are talking to companies, you aren’t moving forward
From my evaluation of the readers of this site, Actuarialoutpost, and LinkedIn, I am seeing that most aspiring actuaries are suffering at step #1. If you are one of them, you’re in luck, because this is the easier problem to solve.
The first step in the hiring process is the initial communication with a company. It might involve an e-mail back and forth, a phone call, or a face to face encounter. Sending your resume into the black hole of HR systems does not count as “talking” to a company. You need real human interaction.
If you aren’t talking to a few companies a week, you aren’t trying hard enough. Make this your only goal until you succeed at step #1. There isn’t a good reason why you shouldn’t be able to have at least one real conversation with an actuary at every target company on your list. Between Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, and the SOA directory, you should be able to find an “in” to any company’s actuarial department.
You know those annoying marketers that identify you as a target customer, give you a sales pitch, and then follow up with you persistently? They might be annoying, but believe it or not they exist because this approach actually sells products. If you can channel your inner salesperson, you will greatly increase your chances of getting noticed.
Let’s start small. Here’s a challenge you can start today:
- Make a list of 3 companies that you would like to work for, but haven’t communicated with
- Set a deadline for when you will have to reach your goal. No more than 2 weeks. If you are starting before the holidays, give yourself a buffer, since a lot of people are out of the office
- Your goal is to initiate a conversation with at least one actuary at each of these companies. Identify yourself as a job seeker, ask them if they know of any openings, and always ask if you can follow up with them later. If this is over the phone, ask for an e-mail address too
- Take notes on each of the three companies. What did you do well? What could you improve?
- E-mail me at actuarialplaybook@gmail.com and let me know how it went
If you fail at this goal, you need to understand why. Were you too scared or shy to reach out to people? Do you lack confidence in your skills? Or is something wrong with your approach?
Getting to the bottom of this issue is the first step to success in your job search.
If you succeed, there is no reason why you can't continue this process, each week adding a few more companies to your list.
I am here to help. If you completed the challenge, just started it, or are thinking about starting but need some encouragement, e-mail me at actuarialplaybook@gmail.com or leave a comment on this post.
If you enjoyed this post, sign up to get our best content delivered to your inbox for free. No spam. Unsubscribe at any time.
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