According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate through October 2018 remained at 3.7 percent and 1.6 percent in the insurance industry. Of course, what this leads us to think is that the chances of having qualified candidates available at this time —if you're currently looking to staff someone— are slim, but that's not necessarily true.
The insurance market is pretty tight, and if you want to be sure to reach the best candidates, you must put your job openings in front of those looking for a job or those who are interested in a new opportunity. Of course, the essential thing here is to write a masterpiece of a job posting, also telling people about your company's culture. Once they have applied, these three tips can help you get them on board in no time, giving you an upper hand on the competition.
To get the most valuable candidates, make sure you get in touch quickly, and in a more personal manner than just email. Email is good to give formal notice of your interest, but it can be stuck in somebody's inbox for days without being read. So try giving them a call or texting them directly to set up an interview.
Avoid spending time recruiting without being clear on your candidate's compensation expectations. Don't be scared to ask when you first contact them so you can avoid wasting your time and theirs.
Your hiring process must be efficient if you want to recruit the best people. If things are taking too long, you need to look into the details of your process and find efficiencies. Interviews should be set up quickly, and if things go well, you should be able to come to a decision that same day, rather than letting your candidate walk away in the hope that you'll "call them back." When good candidates are scarce, you must hire fast.
Since you've made the call to join AAI and start your own independent insurance agency, now you must hire the best people to work alongside you, who will help your business rise.