For anyone that lives in the Portland, OR area

[PeriscopeDepth]

...And would like to help a fellow subsimmer out, I would really appreciate it. I just graduated and am moving to the Portland area. I need to compile a list of 100 possible clients for a company (insurance/financial services) that has shown interest in hiring me, and not living in the area makes it pretty difficult. These need to be people I could actually go talk to, not just names. If you would like to help me out, please shoot me a PM.

Thanks,
PD

[SUBMAN1]

...And would like to help a fellow subsimmer out, I would really appreciate it. I just graduated and am moving to the Portland area. I need to compile a list of 100 possible clients for a company (insurance/financial services) that has shown interest in hiring me, and not living in the area makes it pretty difficult. These need to be people I could actually go talk to, not just names. If you would like to help me out, please shoot me a PM.

Thanks,
PD

Insurance is a tough biz, but good luck anyway! Did you take a test or anything for them?

I'd forgo looking for individual clients, and instead show them that you set your sights higher and compile a list of businesses that you would like to crack, or at least mix them in there. Offer life insurance at a supposed discount to small to medium businesses, and if you plan to sell auto, pull out a phone book and maybe target all the limo companies in the area looking to sell them some sort of umbrella policy.

Hopefully my little tidbits can help you out. If you do this, they will think you are aggressive and as long as you didn't screw up your interview, you have a 100% chance of getting in.

Its all in how you play the game.

-S

[PeriscopeDepth]

Thanks Subman, I took a personality type test. But I thought the questions were pretty silly, along the lines of "Do you consider yourself a hard worker?" and stuff like that. Going to businesses is a great idea (the company offers pretty much every type of insurance there is), I'll have to do that when I'm in the area.

Thanks Subman,
PD

[SUBMAN1]

Thanks Subman, I took a personality type test. But I thought the questions were pretty silly, along the lines of "Do you consider yourself a hard worker?" and stuff like that. Going to businesses is a great idea (the company offers pretty much every type of insurance there is), I'll have to do that when I'm in the area.

Thanks Subman,
PD

No problem.

-S

PS. By the way, the reason I asked about the test is because thats what larger offices use to screen potential employees. I was gauging how many co-workers you have. What you need to do if you plan to stay in the biz is to learn everything you can from those guys, and then as soon as you think you can handle it (a year or two), go independant and partner up with a small insurance office. This is where you will make your real money - and insurance is like selling pumps - there are always renewels every year and when your independant, your clients follow you whereever you go! Its like building a constant income almost for life, so if you can get over the initial hump and survive, you will eat for a long time to come!

[Heibges]

I took that personality test years ago, and I remember it being pretty weird.

I worked for a long time in sales, so if you have any questions about commission plans or anything else feel free to ask.

Does the company you want to work for offer both commercial and individual insurance packages?

There are a lot of good business to business sales opportunities you can get into, but you have to be careful when choosing.

[waste gate]

That's one hell of a business. I have insurance for two reasons; it is mandated by the state (motor vehicle) or by the lein holder (mortgage). Health insurance is provided by my employer (with my share of course).

For me its about price and price only. Don't take it personal PD but I look at insurance agents in the same light as used car salesmen. Perhaps even worse because they force you to wager against yourself.

[Heibges]

You know what is a great business surprisingly is office supplies and office furniture. Every business needs them, and they buy every month, so you can get into a residual situation like with insurance.

There is a company called Shred-it, that has a great service, and they are a fantastic company. They have a unique document destruction service which helps companies protect their confidential info. The sales pitch is basically that an engineer making $80k per year is too valuable timewise to spend time destroying confidential material. They place a mailbox-like recepticle in the person's office, and they just toss the stuff in, and Shred-it comes around and destroys it.

Microsoft and basically everyone else who is big uses them. Their competition focuses on the fact they are cheaper than Shred-it, so they really have no competition.

I bet they are pretty big up in Portland.

http://www.shredit.com/

[PeriscopeDepth]

That's one hell of a business. I have insurance for two reasons; it is mandated by the state (motor vehicle) or by the lein holder (mortgage). Health insurance is provided by my employer (with my share of course).

For me its about price and price only. Don't take it personal PD but I look at insurance agents in the same light as used car salesmen. Perhaps even worse because they force you to wager against yourself.

I actually agree with you waste gate. I just need a good entry level job to pay for my real career goal, commercial pilot. And so far only Enterprise Rent a Car and this insurance company have shown interest in me, and I'd much rather sell rental cars (and their management training program is supposedly pretty good) than insurance, though.

Thanks for the tips Heibges.

PD

[waste gate]

That is another long road. How much time do you have in the air? Do you have your Private Pilot Certificate, Commercial, Instrument?

How far along are you in your goal of flying for a living?

[PeriscopeDepth]

I'm 0% far. I would like a source of income before I start taking out loans.

PD

[SUBMAN1]

I'm 0% far. I would like a source of income before I start taking out loans.

PD

Pay cash. Rich people never rack up debt, and to get rich, they always avoided it. Just lower your lifestyle a bit to make sure you always have cash on hand.

-S

[waste gate]

I'm 0% far. I would like a source of income before I start taking out loans.

PD

Zero air time? Take a discovery flight at the local FBO.

Do you have an undergraduate college degree? Have you ever taken a Perkins Loan?

[PeriscopeDepth]

I have a BA, I've taken two half hour intro flights already, thought you meant serious hours. I've never taken out any sort of loan.

PD

[waste gate]

I have a BA, I've taken two half hour intro flights already, thought you meant serious hours. I've never taken out any sort of loan.

PD

OK. You are probably eligable for a loan to get your ticket from an accredited flight school. That means you will be enrolled in a FAA Part 141 flight school. More pressure, ie more school for you. If you are just out of school your study skills and habits are probably helpful. Don't loose that mindset, you will need them.

Pick up a copy of 'Private Pilot Magazine' or check AOPA's web site for Part 141 flight schools. Embry Riddle is a good one but very expensive. If you had known before you went for your undergraduate degree more options would have been available but since that isn't the case you will have to make do with whats available to you.

Take small steps and you will get to where you want to be.

[waste gate]

I forgot. Many would be line pilots work the ramp as a way to get their foot in the door. You still have to have some flying credentials. Instrument, Commercial, Multi-engine, IMC and a minimum number of flight hours under all those conditions.

[PeriscopeDepth]

Thanks for the advice and encouragement waste gate.

PD