The summer is shaping up to be one of the most uncertain hiring seasons in years. Many companies are hedging their bets, waiting for consumer confidence to recover more fully before adding employees.
One industry, however, is not only intensely interested in Gen Z talent but also relatively immune to the ravages of economic downturns and even pandemics: the insurance field.
Many young people might opt for occupations considered more high-profile. Yet, perhaps surprisingly, insurance offers many of the things most Gen Z candidates seek most: work flexibility, good pay, rewarding work and job security. Insurance is embracing the kinds of technologies that Gen Z “digital natives” are comfortable with.
Insurance is known for its ability to support work/life balance and diverse lifestyle needs. For young people, the ability to work from home, either by preference or for present/future family reasons, is a major plus. As a result, insurance agencies are increasingly adopting a variety of remote and onsite alternatives that allow employees to design a work environment to fit their situations and wishes.
Few fields offer newcomers the kind of job satisfaction and stability that insurance does. Compared with many sectors that had to lay off employees during the pandemic, insurance job losses were small over the past year. The industry also matches many of the values Gen Z workers embrace. In a recent Vertafore survey of over 1,000 insurance professionals, respondents said their favorite part of working in the field is “the ability to work directly with my community.” Informal one-on-one chats, catching up on events in a client’s life and helping customers tailor plans to reduce risk are some of the ways that insurance work provides authentic personal benefits.
Increasingly Digital
As an occupation, insurance is ideal for Gen Z candidates who grew up with technology. The old pen-and-paper methods were on their way out even before COVID-19 hit; since then, the process has only accelerated and the industry is modernizing like never before.
Most Gen Zers would be surprised to see the extent to which technology has overtaken the insurance field. Digital tools are eliminating repetitive tasks and enabling employees to use their higher skills to analyze and interpret client needs. Technology has reached nearly every corner of agency operations. Cloud-enabled agency management systems, digital communications tools, e-signatures and digital payments have accelerated workflows and automated routine tasks. Data analytics, marketing platforms and other cutting-edge technologies are used every day, particularly at carriers and larger agencies. Mobile apps and mobile-responsive websites are also being used to improve customer experience through convenient self-service offerings.
The latest technology to enter the insurance field is artificial intelligence. AI-driven predictive tools are able to accurately determine coverage recommendations, automate personalized client communications and even flag which policies or clients are at risk for cancellation. Candidates with data analytics backgrounds will be increasingly valuable to manage such systems and will acquire marketable skills in the process.
See also: How Well Did Agents Cope With COVID?
For insurance workers, perhaps the greatest benefit from the introduction of technology is the personal and career flexibility it can provide. In the same Vertafore study, 70% of agency respondents agreed that their workplaces already have tools in place to allow employees to work effectively from home. The extent to which the industry will adopt flexible working conditions post-COVID is yet to be determined and will not be a one-size-fits-all solution. Each company will have to achieve a balance between business needs and the needs of the employees, and each company’s balance will look a little different. But, overall, the industry has seen a significant shift in what is possible for employees in terms of flexibility, and the potential for a new way of doing business will attract a younger employee demographic.
The industry is also embracing diversity and inclusion practices. Insurance is a field that recognizes the need to not only reflect the changing composition of its customer base but also to broaden its hiring practices. As a result, the field is creating more options to accommodate more people, more lifestyles and more life stages in more ways than ever before.
Demand Is Strong
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for insurance agents will grow through 2029 at a faster rate than the occupational average. As agency principals retire, the need for skilled candidates is rapidly increasing.
Insurance also offers career-long opportunities for personal and professional development. New lines of business, new forms of analytics and risk assessment and continual upgrades in systems and technologies will be part of the business for years to come. Many insurance professionals expand their skills by branching out into financial planning and advisory services.
For entrepreneurs, starting an agency or growing an established one can be lucrative. In an alternate career path, insurance brokers specialize in risk management and represent the customer in obtaining the best insurance coverage.
See also: Intersection of AI and Cyber Insurance
High Satisfaction
Tallo, a firm focused on the Gen Z talent field, reports in its April 2021 industry rankings that the insurance business is securely in the middle for favorability among Gen Z candidates—above more seemingly progressive industries like renewable energy, real estate and consulting services. U.S. News & World Report puts insurance agents at #2 in its list of Best Sales and Marketing Jobs.
Vertafore found that 90% of insurance professionals over the age of 40 would recommend a career in insurance. There aren’t many industries that can boast such a vote of confidence from longtime employees. It may be an uncertain time for employment, but the insurance field may be that sure thing Gen Z job seekers are hoping for.
