questionable job prospect....?

[taximomfor4]

My sister (a laborer) was laid off for the winter last year, but was never re-called to work in the spring. She's been job hunting ever since, and began college classes part time to get into the business world eventually. She has NO office experience.

She found a job, and got offered the position. It's selling insurance (life insurance and medicare supplement insurance). First, she has to get licensed: $400, which she had to borrow because her unemployment ran out. THen, it's 6 weeks training, without pay. Then, she has to go into the office *45 min. away* 2x/week for the day, making her appointments. The other days, she drives around to the appointments. Pay is 50% commission, and she's an independent contractor, I guess. She'll have to pay her own social security, taxes, etc. Don't know if she can get benefits or not, since she's not a "company employee" or whatever.

She says they will reimburse the $400 after she works for 6 months. She also says if she sells a certain amount (a pretty low amount, supposedly) per year, she gets a 1 wk vacation for 2 (2 hours is a conference, the rest is free time) up to $8,000 value.

Thoughts? I don't know how that particular field works. I don't know if she's getting ripped off, or what. I HATE that she's paying to get a job (especially money she had to borrow). It's odd that they hired her, when all other positions in that field have said no way (no experience in an office EVER, and zero computer skills).

Anyone have any knowledge about this type of thing?

 

[Disney Ella]

It sounds risky to me. Is she one of those people with a great personality who can sell anyone anything? If so, maybe that will make up for lacking computer skills. She can always learn the computer, but if she's not the sales type, she could end up no better, and maybe even worse, than she started out.

 

[taximomfor4]

It sounds risky to me. Is she one of those people with a great personality who can sell anyone anything? If so, maybe that will make up for lacking computer skills. She can always learn the computer, but if she's not the sales type, she could end up no better, and maybe even worse, than she started out.

She's a strong personality, but not a diplomatic person. Definitely iffy. Is it normal to have to pay your own licensure? And unpaid training in this field?

I worked for a large car insurance company. The company paid our licensure. But now I'm an RN and had to pay my own.

 

[*pixie*dust*]

Unless she is a super sales person she won't last long. First, not everyone passes the insurance exam the first time. Second, comission only is rough, especially in a bad economy. Most of the time there is a delay in payment.

Also she will probably be "required" to turn over a list of prospects--friends, family, etc
This list will then become the property of the company that they can use even if she doesnt stay.

It sounds like Primerica or one of those other pyramid type deals. A few make a lot of $$$$$ and the rest try it and then leave.

 

[Jennasis]

What company is it?

 

[taximomfor4]

What company is it?

It's called Baker Insurance. I asked her if that's the AGENCY, and what companies' insurance do they sell, but she insists they sell their OWN insurance. Never heard of them, if that's the case.

To the pp who mentioned turning in a list of leads, at the interviews, she insists they told her to please NOT bring any leads -- that they have too many as it is, and not enough agents. I was thinking it's like a pyramid. That she'd have to get agents under her. I have been searching the net today, but can't find anything about that specific company.

 

[Tess]

Have you, or more to the point your sister, checked the company out with the Better Business Bureau? That might answer a world of questions for you OR maybe not if it is a fly by night organization.

I personally have never heard of "Baker Insurance" and would second the response above regarding passing the licensing examination.

 

[c4a]

Baker's Group? Are you (or she) perhaps around Miflin?

The Baker's Group is a small, family owned, independant, insurance provider. If the same one I'm thinking about, I thought they went out of business back in the early 80's.

Try a search of Baker's Group + Insurance.

 

[c4a]

The Baker's Group link.[/COLOR]

It is them. Little surprised to find out that they would hire someone with no office experience-let alone insurance experience. of course, the best salespeople are the one's who sell themselves.

 

[taximomfor4]

The Baker's Group link.[/COLOR]

It is them. Little surprised to find out that they would hire someone with no office experience-let alone insurance experience. of course, the best salespeople are the one's who sell themselves.

We're in NE Ohio. Not sure if this is the same one, although it probably is. The place that gave her the job didn't hire her as an employee though, she'll be independent contractor. Also, they ONLY sell medicare supplement, and life insurance. NO car insurance, she said.