Whether you’re looking for a career change or are currently out of work, the insurance sector holds countless opportunities. Regardless of your background, you can find great companies to work for, hone your skills, and develop an insurance career. Here are five tips for getting started.

1. Research the Best Companies to Work For

While insurance is a large sector of the business world, each company has its own values. Plus, different companies have varying hiring requirements. So, it’s essential that you research the best insurance companies out there.

For example, you can find reviews for companies like Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance on Indeed. The reviews come straight from employees who work there, giving you insight on what it’s like to join the company.

2. Set Your Sights on a Specific Role

Working in insurance affords you plenty of career options. You might work directly with clients, or you could work in an office handling paperwork. Determine where your strengths lie—such as in crunching numbers versus selling coverage to consumers—and begin looking for relevant positions.

As Success Financial Solutions explains, common insurance roles include positions like:

• Actuaries, from analysts to associates to managers who analyze facts and figures.
• Claims adjusters, analysts, examiners, representatives, specialists, and clerks, who handle customer claims as clients submit them.
• Claims clerks, AKA administrative assistants, who use their office skills to help process policies and paperwork.
• Customer service representatives, who answer questions about policies and process customer information.
• Sales agents, who solicit insurance sales from customers, including individuals and businesses.
• Insurance underwriters, who process paperwork, evaluate candidates and make determinations on coverage.

Some roles require degrees, while others are entry-level roles that can lead to other career paths.

Actuaries, for example, often need a bachelor’s degree as well as professional certification. Underwriters typically need a bachelor’s degree, as well, however little on-the-job experience is necessary.

Customer service representatives and sales agents, however, can often enter their roles with only a background in customer service.

3. Hone Your Professional Skills

Like any other career, working in insurance can require a specific set of skills. These will vary based on your role, so some training might be necessary before you can start your job search.

However, other skills are ubiquitous in the workplace. Soft skills, for example, are a necessity no matter what field you’re in—especially if you interact with customers. Examples of soft skills include communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and team leadership abilities. These are more personality traits than skills, but you can still improve them.

Hard skills, on the other hand, are things like computer skills or knowledge of specific programs. If you need to hone hard skills, you can take classes or see if your community offers support. For example, a group like Christian Women’s Job Corps offers free courses for professionals and job seekers.

4. Nail Your Interview to Get the Job

Ensuring that your interview goes smoothly is key for securing your desired insurance role. This is true of any industry, but it’s especially vital to prepare when you’re interviewing for a career change.

According to The Cut, the essentials for interview prep include exploring your employer’s website, thoroughly understanding the job description, and practicing answers to common interview questions.

Prepare—and even write down—replies to most-asked questions such as “What are your biggest strengths?” and “What do you consider to be your biggest professional achievement?” so you feel confident in your answers. While you shouldn’t bring notes into a live interview, going over your answers will help cement them in your mind.

Once you secure your next job in the insurance field, it’s time to relax—right? If you’re only seeking a retirement job or part-time income, continuing on your current path might be ideal.

But if you’re hoping to grow your career in insurance, you’ll need to put in the work to make it happen. Taking continuing education courses, pursuing certification, and staying connected in your industry are all excellent ways to accelerate your career.

“Nicole Rubin worked in the health insurance industry for years, spending a majority of her time fielding questions from people concerning their coverage and medical bills. She created Insureabilities to provide up-to-date information on the state of health insurance in the U.S.”

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