Insurance Agent

Insurance Agent qualifications to look for 

Insurance agents help clients navigate the right insurance plans and manage a portfolio of clients. You’ll find them in brokerages, insurance firms or agencies where they are involved in networking, selling and negotiating contracts.

Most candidates don’t need a degree or any formal qualifications unless mandated by your state. Experience in sales, account management or customer service are your go-to essentials with these hires. 

Your best hires will be familiar with the administration of different insurance packages (automobile, life, property etc), and have a knack for social media marketing. 

Keep an eye out for candidates who are:

• Well-organized
• Excellent communicators 
• Confident
  

You may also want to ask about financial analysis and reporting skills. 

Top tip: Hire candidates willing to grow by making sure their personal career goals align with your company's mission.

Problem-solving interview questions

• Review this insurance plan and give me your best pitch. 
• What insurance plans are you familiar with and what type of client have you worked with?
• Which upselling techniques do you typically use?
• How do you evaluate a prospective client’s needs?
• How do you source prospects through social media?
• How do you feel about cold calling? 
• How do you keep track of sales records?
• What forms of advertising do you use as an insurance agent?
• What are the typical criteria when choosing an insurance policy?
• If a client was trying to negotiate in a way that wouldn’t be favorable for our company, what would you do?
  

Behavioral interview questions

• How did you handle pushy clients?
• Describe a time you sold someone insurance you knew was necessary after they  declined at first.
• Tell me about a time you had to meet a quota in a short period of time. How did you manage?
• What’s your biggest success so far?
• When have you helped a client with a problem regarding their policy? What was the outcome?