New Career....

[Mitchell]

Hopefully, the replies to this will be at least somewhat positive. This is nothing about family, only about career.

I mentioned in my last blog entry how I was having meetings to embark on a new career. I'm now ready to divulge what that is.

I was contacted by Aflac Insurance. They saw my posted resume, and experience in sales. and wanted to talk to me. I went to a group presentation last Wednesday that was absolutely brilliant, and then was called back for a follow up second interview today. I'm in.

While I was a bit reluctant at first.. because of it being an entirely commission based sales business, the difference between this, and what I did in the past.. is that I have a giant company name behind me.

I now have to study for, and take, my NY state insurance licensing exam. The next one is Oct 4th, which they said I'll never be ready for. I have to know 20 chapters of material, terms, etc, which I'm going to start working on later today. They think realistically I will be ready to take the exam after that, in mid-late October.

They also said there is no way I can have a full time job and work in Aflac effectively.. soo.. I'm going to take a part time.. whatever job , 2 to 3 days a week, and do this otherwise.

I'm optimistic, and I hope the feedback will be positive.

Quickly:

Briefly about my family, and the rant in my blog.

My father has refused to help me with the business I really want to do, with the product I have the trademark on. So.. my plan is.. to work on Aflac, get a part time job, and if all goes as planned, do the other business myself.

My aunt the artist has been even worse. She blatantly told me that she believes only in "jobs", and that people should have only "jobs", and discouraged me to do a business of any kind. This from someone, who has been an artist for decades, and who took money from me and my mom. The ultimate hypocrite if there ever was one. I'm going to keep my distance from her.

Anyhow, that's the story. I'm hopeful and optimistic that this is the right career choice for me, considering my experience in sales, and the huge name and support behind this company.

 

[GQguy]

Dude....this is the best news I've heard from you since....since forever! Great step in the right direction. Well done!

 

[Mitchell]

Thank you, GQ. I greatly appreciate the support.

I just got off the phone with my dad. He said that my voice sounds much more positive in the time since I've been contacted by Aflac. He's also completely behind me with both this career move, as well as only working part time at a JOB. The other business is going to have to be on the back burner for now. Right now, all that matters is that I pass my licensing exam.

After so many years of the wrong decisions, I really feel like this is the right one.

 

[Mitchell]

I'm going to admit something, but of course this is only one guy's opinion.

I went to the casino yesterday. On the shuttle bus to the subway home.. I was talking to a guy, and told him my situation with Aflac. He claimed that he was involved with them for a couple of months, didn't make any money, and dropped out.

This I take with a grain of salt. In any business that you have to build a client base yourself on commission, what is a "Couple of months" ?

Even when I was in Market America, we were told to expect it to take
2 to 3 years to build an organization. The guy I talked to apparently expected a "Get Rich Quick" situation, which is not what any business of this type is.

 

[GQguy]

There's no salary?

 

[Mitchell]

No.. its all commission. Such is what concerns me.

I still think I have to go for it. Aflac is too big of a company to pass this up. As I said, I'll get a part time whatever job, and work on it also. My dad says if I have my insurance license, I may be able to get another part time position in the business that could have a salary.

 

[chicago]

This is great news, Mitch.

You sound positive about the new position and the work you'll be doing and motivated by the step towards independence that you've made, allowing yourself to realize (and show your father / relatives) that you can find ways of doing things on your own without their help or the need to depend on them.

While this is all incredibly good news, there may be times where you become discouraged and my only hope is that you don't allow that to cause irrational negativity which would affect your drive or decision making.

Best of luck.

 

[Mitchell]

Mairead, I thank you so much for what you said. You hit both things right on the head.

First, the idea of showing my father my independence. My aunt the artist thinks that my father has laid back, and refused to help me with work, or my other desired business, because of his wish that I do things on my own. "Toughlove" so to speak. NOW he says "Oh, I might be able to help you with some clients". I have to make sure that's "Ethical" when it comes to Aflac. I DO NOT want to screw this up. I truly believe this is the opportunity I've been waiting for. I feel my mom is looking down on me from Heaven, saying: "Mitch made the right choice".

About the second thing you said: Discouragement. You're right on with that too. Admittedly.. I can be negative at times when things don't go well. I'm not going to let lack of signups, or difficulty, affect me with this.

Bottom line: I probably had some form of.. I don't want to say. nervous breakdown, because I was still functioning.. but.. stagnation.. the last 18 months. I dealt with my mom's illness all alone, was shocked by her brain cancer, and had six weeks to get used to her dying. Then things haven't gone well with my family.. or my desired business. When I was contacted by Aflac, this just seemed like "The Break", that I haven't caught.

My dad tells me that my voice sounds much different than when it used to. I think.. even.. with meeting a girl.. We all know that at times people get attracted by how they are doing in their lives. If I can say.. "Well, I'm Mitch, and I'm a licensed insurance broker", in addition to my.. hopefully being viewed as a good person, THAT looks a whole hell of a lot better to a girl than "Mitch lives in this apartment because Daddy pays, and is a part time salesman".

I wanted to start studying for the test tonight, but I fell asleep for 3 hrs, and am beat. The minute I finish breakfast tomorrow, its right to the computer with notetaking. My plan until I find a regular part time job is to study and re study most of each day, each chapter, with an hour for lunch, until I get a regular whatever job. I haven't done any studying since college, so I may be rusty, but.. I'll just keep at it.

 

[kurchatovium]

Congratulations Mitch!!!!

Great news my friend. From what I have heard AFLAC is a good company.🙂

 

[Mitchell]

Thanks, bill, I appreciate the good wishes.

Thanks, kurch. Yes, it is supposedly a very good company. The people I've met so far are awesome.

 

[chicago]

I'm no doctor but it seems like you've had some kind of breakthrough. Even from your posts here, it reads like you've had some form of positive change in your attitude. Keep that up and Im sure you'll find success. Best of luck.

 

[Mitchell]

Thanks ,Mairead.

The reason I was negative, is that I was being dragged down by my past disappointments with businesses that didn't work out, and then being ignored by the sources I approached for the business I wanted to do.

My aunts already gave me some negativity, about this being a "commission business", and "Not a paycheck". While it is a "commission business", I believe that the name behind it, and the type of business, can make it a success. I am going to get a part time job with a "paycheck". I think I resisted that until now, fearing that I'd be stuck at a dead end job that I hated for the rest of my life. If whatever I do for a job is short term, until I can build this up, my outlook will be better.

 

[Angel_2]

Congrats on the new career, this is great news. keep it up and keep us posted

 

[GQguy]

I looked into the website to see about becoming one of your first customers. Till I realized that being a govt employee I wouldn't need the sort of insurance being sold. The cancer insurance seems pretty sweet though, and would have helped you and your mom make ends meet. Your personal experience with that could help you sell that insurance.

I would check out what other peoples experiences have been with the company through a simple google search. No point reinventing the wheel here.

 

[Mitchell]

Thanks, Angel.

Thanks, GQ. I will take your advice.

I do know one thing: I read that Aflac does give very good payouts with their insurance, to not only help cover bills, but also to help sick people with daily expenses while fighting their diseases.. or while ill. etc.

 

[Libertine]

Insurance can a difficult product to sell because the "Peace of Mind" conferred by owning a policy is a concept rather than a physical entity. Thus you have to sell the sizzle rather than the steak. But viewing each rejection as getting you one step closer to the eventual sale you're bound to make if you keep persisting will help to keep your spirits up. A friend of mine became a financial planner via many years in the insurance business, and is now making six figures. But he said it took him awhile to be comfortable and actually enjoy doing the job, so keep that in mind and don't give up.

 

[Mitchell]

Thanks for the advice, Libertine. I understand what you're saying.

 

[Mitchell]

I have to laugh: The people who know me on here may find this.. amusing.

As I may have mentioned: I'm signed up for many jobs websites, to get open jobs e-mailed to me.

One of the e-mails, from Macy';s in Manhattan, said.. "Women's shoe store salesman". Er,,for a guy with a huge foot fetish..

They are probably looking for a girl anyway, so I deleted it.

The only other ones from Macy's were from the one in White Plains,.,. an impossible trip from here since I don't have a car, and would require.. multiple subways, and at least one Metro North Train, especially if I'm downtown at Aflac's offices.

My dad talked about my taking a temp job in retail over the holidays. If it was at Macy's, Saks, or Blommingdales, it would realistically have to be the ones in Manhattan because of the transportation situation. I also don't think they'd be hiring me to work in "Ladies Shoes"

 

[GQguy]

There's nothing wrong with a guy selling women's shoes. When I was a junior enlisted guy that just bought a sports car I wanted more cash. I got a job at Express which has both a men's and women's section. The managers would toss me into the ladies section periodically because they thought some of the customers had a crush in me. I thought the women would be totally against my helping them but they weren't! As long as I was knowledgeable and professional in what I was talking about it was cool.

Bit that's awesome that you're keeping your options open. From what I've read insurance sales isn't easy and it may take a while to make some cash.

 

[Mitchell]

Very cool, GQ.

I'm a bit ashamed to admit this.. but..

As most would probably understand.. I haven't taken a "Test" since college, so my test memory skills are very rusty.

After reading each section of the online course.. there is a quiz in which one has to get at least 4 out of 5 questions right. They do this because one has to get at least a 70% grade on their license exam to pass.

In the first chapter section, it took me a few tries to get to the next section.

The second one, was a project.. I think it may have been because I read the section before lunch, and info went out of my head. It took over 20 tries for me to get to the next section. I finally did it.

I really need to finish at least two chapters a night. I'm only part way through one. I'm going to take a break, and go back to work.

Even in college, I was always a better term paper writer than test taker. I had one professor who gave only ten page long term papers, and take home exams. I got nothing less than an A minus with him, in four different classes. In classes where I had to take tests from memory, my grades were lower.

Hopefully I can get through this. I plan to do several hours a day until I find a job. I want to pass the license exam on no more than the 2nd try.

 

[GQguy]

I suggest setting a goal date. Hell, schedule a test date. That's what I did when I had to take my Air Force officer qualifying test. I set a date and stuck to it. Freaking aced it. Actually that reminds me...I have to schedule an exam to get my commercial pilots rating next week Thursday. See...practicing what I preach. You're not the only one taking exams to provide ourselves with more opportunity!

I suggest not being overly ambitious by scheduling it too soon, but caution not to be overly relaxed by scheduling it too late. After a quick google search people were saying 1.5 weeks of intense studying should be enough. For you...I'd say 3 weeks.

 

[Mitchell]

GQ.. there's one problem with what you suggested.. They don't just give the test to Mitch alone.. It's a prescheduled test date for all applicants. They said I would never be ready by the 4th, and they were right. It's a lot of information. I have to know 20 chapters total, and they suggested doing 1 to 2 a day. I did 2 full ones today, for a total of probably 4 hrs, so I'm on target. I will definitely be ready for whenever the test date after the 4th is. I'm also supposed to attend a full day review course with others, and I believe.. my instructor.. Jason, the day before whenever the test is.

I'm taking this very seriously. I want to get my license.

Unless I unexpectedly feel a second wind tonight,. I'm done until tomorrow. The most I would do tonight is another chapter.. as I don't want to get brain fried. I'd rather do it right, then rush through it, and mess it up, even though Jason said almost everyone fails the test the first time. My goal is to get as high a score as I can, of course, and to hopefully pass the first time.

 

[milagros317]

Best wishes to you, Mitchell, on your new career.

 

[Mitchell]

Thanks, mils. I appreciate it.

Not to do a "family rant" here, and I hope people understand, but my father can really be unreal.

He just called me. Everyone knows I need to get a "job" while I'm getting my insurance license, and building up a career. My father talked about someone who might be able to help me with a "job" in the medical billing field, which could lead to something. This perturbed me a bit.. because.. my intent with busting my ass with all this work in insurance, is to do something in the insurance industry. I felt like my father was invalidating my hard work a bit. To me, there is a difference between what I do for the next year or two, and as a career,

I hope I pass my licensing exam and get a client base. I really want this to succeed.

 

[GQguy]

Options man. Options. Fall back plans are good things!