Switching from a restaurant job to insurance sales upon marriage

Currently, I am engaged in life insurance sales as well as general insurance sales. Specifically, I visit customers to propose the latest coverage options, and I also visit local businesses, such as restaurants and companies, to provide information.

There are several reasons, but the initial reason I joined this company was due to marriage. My previous job was in the restaurant industry, and as is common in that field, I was working from morning till night, standing all the time, which was tough. After getting married, I was looking for a job that allowed me to return home by the evening. Another reason was that I thought I needed to get some insurance since I was uninsured until then. I had a vague interest in insurance companies.

I transitioned through a job search site. After getting married, I thought I might want children in the future, so I was looking for a job with proper weekend offs and good benefits. I was considering dental assistant positions. Coincidentally, I received an offer from an insurance company, and after trying it out, the company atmosphere was good, and I received a scout email. Job search sites have a scout function, and when you receive a scout, you can bypass the first screening.

To sell life insurance, you need to pass a general course exam to obtain qualifications, and studying for that was the most challenging part. I studied like I was getting a driver's license, but I'm not very efficient, so studying was tough. I studied by watching YouTube during commutes and took practice tests on weekends. Although it's said that 95% of people can pass, I did pass.

The happiest moment is when someone actually purchases the insurance I proposed. Customers say things like, "This insurance is good," and I feel good because my performance is evaluated. As I mentioned earlier, a supervisor who is no longer with us taught me the sales process for insurance, and following that process led to success. Accumulating such successful experiences over the years makes the job really enjoyable. I truly feel grateful to my supervisor.

I think it was around my second year after joining the company. In the first year, according to company rules, you need to achieve a certain number of sales within three months to receive a foundation, which includes a slight increase in salary. That's considered a rookie's gateway. The next step is to achieve double or triple that number within six months. During that period, my supervisor taught me all the know-how. Although it wasn't an easy target to achieve, thanks to the know-how I received and put into practice, I successfully met the quota. I truly feel grateful to my supervisor.

There's one memorable event. I was visiting a certain corporate client, and despite six months of visits, I couldn't secure any contracts, experiencing a low period. However, I didn't give up and started distributing flyers. There was someone who always received them, but they never revealed their name, and I only knew they were male. After providing some information that resonated with them, we gradually started talking. I gathered the courage to say, "Please listen to my insurance talk for just 30 minutes. If you find it uninteresting, you can leave at any time." Surprisingly, they agreed, and we discussed insurance in a café. They said, "This is quite good," and we secured a contract. That event became a source of emotional support, and thanks to that person, I was able to thrive in that environment. Interestingly, it was the first time I implemented the sales process taught by my supervisor. I was really nervous, with my right hand trembling, but perhaps that nervousness worked in my favor.

I find the process of building human relationships interesting. Even though it starts with cold calls and interactions with strangers, gradually, people open up, and they entrust me with their insurance. This human aspect, or whatever you want to call it, is somewhat unique compared to other jobs. It's a distinctive feature of life insurance sales.

Mentally, it's tough when you don't receive performance evaluations; it's a direct hit. Physically, it can be quite demanding, especially during the peak of summer when you have to make sales, or in the cold winter when your hands are so cold you can barely hold a pen. Hot weather is also exhausting due to sunburn. However, while it's challenging at first, over time, you learn to balance and avoid making sales during the hottest summer days.

I feel the most accomplished when I correctly communicate the sales process to customers, sell the right insurance, and when someone switches from another company or someone who was previously uninterested in insurance decides to purchase. That's the most enjoyable and fulfilling.

I feel the most nervous when I'm presenting insurance options to customers, and they fall silent. That moment is the most nerve-wracking for me. Customers are likely reviewing the policy documents and considering various factors. I've decided not to interrupt during this time. The silence can last for 3 minutes for some customers and 10 minutes for others; it varies. During that time, I'm extremely tense, wondering what the customer might be thinking.

I feel I've mostly mastered the sales process taught by my supervisor. My next step is to become more proficient in corporate insurance. Corporate insurance involves complexities like tax implications, so I need to study more in that area. I want to be able to propose plans to company presidents and offer insurance that can protect their businesses. I plan to continue studying.

I'm more than satisfied. It's straightforward; the more I work, the higher my salary, and if I don't work, I don't earn. It's simple. Compared to other women of my age, I think my average annual income is on the higher side, so I'm content. After all, without money, life isn't rich. I believe this job offers a good balance of earning money and having time to rest, so I'm truly satisfied, very satisfied.

It's a tough question. Well, I'm not sure. But I love my job, and without working, things like beer don't taste as good. Indeed, work makes food and drinks more enjoyable. However, even with a lot of money, I think I would still seek fulfillment somewhere, so even with assets, I'd probably continue working.

I'd say it's about 70% work and 30% private life. I'm not sure about others, but I believe that without a fulfilling work life, your private life can't be fulfilling either.

I hope to be a mother. Since I don't have children yet, I'm currently trying to create an environment where I can have them. I believe having children in five years would bring even more happiness. Right now, I'm working a lot for myself, so I look forward to a future where someone more important than myself awaits. After focusing on childcare for a while, I'd like to return with a more advanced career.

I believe this is a field where honest individuals can thrive. Those who can sincerely incorporate what seniors or supervisors tell them are likely to succeed in this industry. So, while your own thoughts and values are important, I think setting them aside for a moment and sincerely trying what you're told, repeating that process, is the path to success in this industry.