Want to Work With A Gecko?

I’ve been surfing job sites, like http://www.customerservicejobs.com/ to see the types and number of customer service jobs posted in this “down” economy. Happily, there are lots of jobs to be had in many different types of industries and skill levels. I came across one for Geico, and since I love the commercials with the little green gecko with the Australian accent, thought I’d give it a closer look.

I have to admit that I didn’t think of an Insurance Sales Agent as a customer service job. I would have listed it as a sales job instead. But after reading the qualifications and skill sets, it is really all about taking care of your customer and building relationships that result in long-term clients. Here are some of the qualifications/traits/skills you would need to apply for this customer service job:

1. A Property & Casualty License. This doesn’t seem to be a job you can grow into. A professional position like insurance, paralegal or real estate require you to have certifications, licenses or other special training before you can apply. You can be the best used car salesperson, but without the right certificate, it’s no interview.
2. High motivation, energetic, enthusiastic. The triple defense against rejection, since in sales you will have to be able to take a lot of it. You have to have a high degree of belief in yourself, your product and company and the benefit to your customer to go out every day and approach people, knowing that the door may be slammed in your face. A thick skin and the ability to not take rejection personally is a must in this customer service role.
3. Self-reliance. While you have training and support from the home office, many insurance agents work independently. In fact, people are drawn to this type of profession because they like to work on their own, set their own goals without limitations. Out in the field, you don’t have someone as close as the next cubicle to answer questions or take over for you. It’s you out there, and you have to be able to think on your feet.
4. A competitive spirit and positive attitude. Sales goals. Quotas. Contests. Win the trip to the company convention in Las Vegas or the vacation for two in the Bahamas. All that hard work can pay off big, with only you setting the limits. You compete against other agents but mostly with yourself. Each goal reached sets the bar a little higher.

I wrote an article about a very successful insurance agent. He attributed his success to the people who helped him personally and professionally. He had such a respect for what he did since he really helped people. For him, it wasn’t a job but a calling, a trust. He found in serving his customers a rewarding job and life.


Mary Nestor-Harper, SPHR, is a consultant, blogger, motivational speaker and freelance writer for Customerservicejobs.com. Based in Savannah, GA, her work has appeared in Training magazine, Training & Development magazine, Supervision, BiS Magazine and The Savannah Morning News. When she’s not writing, she enjoys singing Alto II with the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus and helping clients discover what they love and spend their life on it. You can read more of her blogs at http://www.csjobsblog.com/ and view additional job postings on Nexxt