Where Do You Hire Your Agents From?

[RJT Consulting]

I am looking to hire some additional agents but am having a heck of a time finding individuals who are either A) qualified or B) have the motivation to make sales. For those of you with actual staff, where did you find your agents at?

 

[Air Jer]

What kind of agts you looking for? P & C, life, health, etc?
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One other thought. You are looking for qualified agents. Are you qualified to be an administrator and sales manager?

 

[RJT Consulting]

Sorry, I reckon that would help. I need to hire someone in both the life/health and the P&C lines. I would also be interested in someone who has experience in LTC.

Bob

 

[Guest]

I'm curious, why does this matter to you?

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One other thought. You are looking for qualified agents. Are you qualified to be an administrator and sales manager?

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Craiglist rocks for me, I also do live events to recruit.

Sorry, I reckon that would help. I need to hire someone in both the life/health and the P&C lines. I would also be interested in someone who has experience in LTC.

Bob

 

[Air Jer]

It's food for thought. Many say they want agents working for them but are they capable of actually running a shop and properly motivating and managing people? I would love to have people working for me except I am a poor manager of people. It's a great thought but is one actually up to the task? As for the different lines of business, they are all different animals and different backgrounds are needed for each. Wanting someone to sell med supps is different than wanting someone to sell large commercial P & C insurance. Neither one is superior to the other but do require different skill sets. Does that answer your question Rob?

 

[Josh]

I am looking to hire some additional agents but am having a heck of a time finding individuals who are either A) qualified or B) have the motivation to make sales. For those of you with actual staff, where did you find your agents at?

Craiglist, forum, word of mouth, and direct marketing.

Part of the problem you're going to have is that most good agents already have a home and rarely will you be able to offer them something they can't get elsewhere. What is it that you're recruiting to? That's what can make a HUGE difference!

 

[RJT Consulting]

As for qualifications......I was the Sales Mgr for the largest downstate manage care organization in Illinois for 8 years. I lead a staff of roughly 40 employee's and over 70 agencies. Not worried about the ability to lead.

I've tried Craigslist and I did find one outstanding candidate who is starting employment in 2 weeks. But, I still have 4 other offices to fill and it's taken me close to a year just to find John. I don't care to wait another year to find the next individual.

Bob

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

Try Agent Media: Agent Media - Agent Media

 

[Air Jer]

RJT, do you have P & C company contracts currently? I can't speak to the L & H side of things but perhaps on the P & C side. If you have an agency that has P & C companies already then company fieldmen are the best source. If you don't have the companies to represent, find a P & C agency to buy would be my thought and then take it from there. Where are you in Illinois? Chicago metro or downstate?

 

[RJT Consulting]

We are downstate (Tuscola Illinois) and are already established with a large number of P&C carriers. I have approached a few of my carrier reps and the biggest issue is commission. They are so comfy in their position where they are salaried that the thought of being straight commission scares them. I've even offered a nice salary to an agent of State Farm for the first 12 months and still could not get her to jump.

I don't doubt that people are afraid in this economy to take chances but I can't imagine being paid any other way.

Bob