getting a job

[kamilla]

hi, gus, I have a question for you. How do you find jobs with only one or no tests? I got a hold of dwsimpson and they would not even look at my resume unless I have 2 tests and internship. Do you just send your resumes to bunch of companies?
Any info would be very very helpful!

[SlackerActuary]

I would try going to the section of the SOA's website and finding companies with actuary training programs and sending your resume directly to them (see the thread about recruiters vs. going at it on your own).

Also, as a sidebar, when I contacted DW Simpson, they said the wouldn't consider candidates without an exam (I'm sitting for Course 1 in May). They said nothing about two exams and an internship. It could be different since I'm looking to make a career change and am not still in uni, but that is what they told me.

Good luck! :D

[DW Simpson]

I got a hold of dwsimpson and they would not even look at my resume unless I have 2 tests and internship.

Our clients usually require one exam. Anything else that our recruiters asked for could be if you are not a US citizen and is simply what our clients told us that they are looking for. But as far as I know, our recruiters aren't habitually asking for two exams and an internship. I will check with them.

I checked with them and that is the case. If you are an F-1 student, employers raise the hurdles.

[TenaciousMV]

I'm currently a senior at RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) studying Applied Stats. I'll be graduating in May with a GPA between 3.65 and 3.75. I received a score of 10 on my first exam back in November and plan on writing the second exam in May. I'll be sending out my resume to many companies in the coming weeks. My question to you is this: would you consider hiring me? (Even if my entry into the position is contingent upon passing course 2 in May) Thank you for any input!
PS - I would like to be a consultant, as I'm quite personable. Please consider that I was a waiter for 18 months.
~Mike V

[DW Simpson]

Hi Mike, I'm not sure if your post is directed to me. If it is, then certainly we would love to hear from you. Some of our entry level jobs are posted at http://www.dwsimpson.com/studjobs.html

[kamilla]

I would try going to the section of the SOA's website and finding companies with actuary training programs and sending your resume directly to them (see the thread about recruiters vs. going at it on your own).

Also, as a sidebar, when I contacted DW Simpson, they said the wouldn't consider candidates without an exam (I'm sitting for Course 1 in May). They said nothing about two exams and an internship. It could be different since I'm looking to make a career change and am not still in uni, but that is what they told me.

Good luck! :D

Thanks for the response. I am considering a career change as well ( the one in IT fell through, as we all know:-) Good luck to you in May. I am taking test1 in May as well.

[glenn]

We've got 5 job postings here with a minimum of 1 exam required:

http://actuary.ca/jobpostings.php?menu=16

[ariana]

When I graduated from college, I didn't have an exam under my belt. It takes an amazing amount of dedication to get your degree and take an exam before you graduate. However, if you can do it, all power to you. I, on the other hand, opted to take my exam after I graduated. Needless to say, I found it difficult to find a job. I accepted an internship from a consulting firm. While there, I contacted D.W. Simpson and it just so happened that a local life insurance company was looking for an actuarial analyst with one year experience + an exam. I had neither, but I went for the interview anyway. I got the job! There were others who were interviewed, but my interviewers took me on because of my "potential" abilities. They felt I was very confident and they liked my "I can do anything" attitude. So don't be discouraged if you don't have any experience or exams! I think the most important quality is confidence and I'm sure a lot of employers feel the same way.

I know this reply is getting long, but one more thing. My friend also found a job without any experience or an exam. She was hired on by a consulting firm as an intern, but they decided to keep her on. So if you believe your chances of getting a full time position slim, get an internship! Employers are more willing to hire someone they know and they've already worked with than someone outside of the company. Put your foot in first, then the rest will follow.

Good luck!

[Kavex]

When I graduated from college, I didn't have an exam under my belt. It takes an amazing amount of dedication to get your degree and take an exam before you graduate. However, if you can do it, all power to you. I, on the other hand, opted to take my exam after I graduated. Needless to say, I found it difficult to find a job. I accepted an internship from a consulting firm. While there, I contacted D.W. Simpson and it just so happened that a local life insurance company was looking for an actuarial analyst with one year experience + an exam. I had neither, but I went for the interview anyway. I got the job! There were others who were interviewed, but my interviewers took me on because of my "potential" abilities. They felt I was very confident and they liked my "I can do anything" attitude. So don't be discouraged if you don't have any experience or exams! I think the most important quality is confidence and I'm sure a lot of employers feel the same way.

I know this reply is getting long, but one more thing. My friend also found a job without any experience or an exam. She was hired on by a consulting firm as an intern, but they decided to keep her on. So if you believe your chances of getting a full time position slim, get an internship! Employers are more willing to hire someone they know and they've already worked with than someone outside of the company. Put your foot in first, then the rest will follow.

Good luck!

Good point ariana.

[fallout]

Hi Mike, I'm not sure if your post is directed to me. If it is, then certainly we would love to hear from you. Some of our entry level jobs are posted at http://www.dwsimpson.com/studjobs.html

Studjobs huh? Sounds interesting.

[Kool]

I also got a job coming out of college with no actuarial experience and no exams. My college work was in economics and mathematics, and I had a very high GPA, which helped. One company said they were not considering anyone without at least one exam. Another company interviewed me and gave me a job. So, I agree with Ariana that it's not impossible to find an actuarial position without having an exam or two under your belt, but it is harder. The SOA website, in the Examinations and Education section, has a list of companies with training programs -- http://www.soa.org/eande/atpdwn.html . Contact some of them directly, and use a recruiter too if you can get one to help. And keep your head up!

[Purple Princess]

My case is not actually the same cause I'm from Canada and we're expected to have 3-4 exams by the time we finish university... I was told that it was impossible to find a summer internship if you just had 1 year of university and no exams, but I did it anyways....

What happened was that I had already worked for an insurance company in a non-actuarial position as a summer job so they were willing to hire me back since I worked so hard the first time :)

My advice is, if all else fails, start from the bottom and once you have an exam or two you will surely be able to get the job you want in the same company...