Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Money in the bank

Best’s Review says that all insurance job sectors declined in the number of workers (March 2009) from a year ago except for reinsurers.

They also point out that 90% of employees will listen to what a recruiter has to say (“it doesn’t hurt to listen”) and that these same employees say that compensation is the most important factor in job satisfaction, followed by benefits.

Harvey Dorland

Pacific Recruiting

Monday, June 22, 2009

The New Phone Interview

Check out this interesting link to an article on found on the Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124390348922474789.html

Scot Dickerson, CPC

President

Capstone Search Group

Facebook vs. The Job Seeker

Social media is a great source of knowledge and entertainment, but many people are worried about their privacy - as they well should be! The media, recruiters and worried parents warn people to be careful what image you portray on your page(s). Many colleges and employers are looking at your Facebook, MySpace and chat rooms to see if you are right them. It has been said that 37% of colleges look at your Facebook page to help determine your acceptance at their school. See the article posted in PC Pro.

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/257623/city-stops-facebook-snooping.html

I still believe that you should be professional regarding anything that you allow on your page, but...the privacy factor may be on the rise for all you social media hounds.

Laura Hill
The Hill Group, L.P.
www.thehillgroup.net

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Social Media: A job hunters dream?

Social media is a fabulous tool, but as a recruiter, I see that social media has the same limitations that the newspaper, job fairs, job boards and company websites have. They are so flooded with resumes that only the best stand out and sometimes, they too are missed.

People hire people they like. You can train a person how to do a job, but you cannot change their personality. A piece of paper doesn't always communicate the personality or the dedication you may bring to the table. Social media a good way to open a door for yourself. Use it, but get in front of people, too. Get involved in the community that employs you. Join a networking group, or go to the association meetings. By all means, find a good recruiter!

Bottom line? Utilize all of your networking options, don't just depend on one.

Laura Hill
The Hill Group, L.P.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Money in the bank

The best move for those changing jobs or retiring may be not moving your money out of your 401K and rolling it over into an IRA.

As an example, a 35 year old with $50k in their 401K could incur an additional $58k in fees by age 70 in doing this.

Obviously, a much bigger bite if you started with say $200k in your account!

So... ask the right questions of multiple people.

Keeping your money in your old 401K could be best.

Harvey Dorland

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Money in the bank

It is calculated that college grads, as a whole, earn 60% more over their lifetime than those who stop at high school (not withstanding Bill Gates type situations)!

It is true, however, that many non-grads do very well in the insurance industry, but most would have had a hard time if they had to enter the industry today.

Keep in mind, for those of your who have children, a 4-year degree from an accredited university is what is important.

In most cases it doesn’t matter if the degree is from a State U or Stanford.