Create the job description:
Whether you are filling a producer, CSR or support position, it will improve your effectiveness immensely if you develop a job description outlining the responsibilities required and the qualifications necessary. It will not only help you recognize the best candidate when you see him/her, it will also help you create postings for use with job boards or want ads.
"Your Hiring Tool Kit is a fantastic resource and full of helpful ideas! We’ve taken many of the templates available and customized them for our agency’s needs. The “Training Needs Checklist” has been particularly useful when training new hires who have different levels of experience. It helps our agency monitor individual training needs and insures our employees are given the skills they need to succeed. For maintaining consistency in training, it is invaluable!"
—Becky Malone, Trainer,
Threlkeld & Company Insurance
Determine the qualifications:
Unless you are lucky enough to find a candidate already equipped to step into the role you need, you may need to hire for attitude and train for functionality. The Best of Class Studies conducted for IIAT by ZERORISK HR identify the attributes correlated with agency success. For training a green recruit, refer to the New Employee Training Guide in Step 4.
Initiate the search:
Good candidates can be found anywhere and, generally, the more sources you tap, the better your prospects. Get the word out, through your employees, insurance company personnel, local trade groups and even your customers. Post the job online on the IIAT Job Board.
Recruit graduating college seniors by participating in college job fairs. Graduating seniors are still in the habit of learning, open to new ideas and adaptable to change. They are tech friendly and learn new technology rapidly. Take a look at IIAT's recruiting video on YouTube and a pdf version of the recruiting brochure. Use the YouTube link at job fairs or order a copy on DVD along with printed recruiting brochures from the IIAT Career Center or by calling IIAT at 800.880.7428.