How did you apply to entry level jobs? Email? Company websites?

[mjlee08]

Those of you who recently received an entry-level position with 1 or 2 exams, how did you get it? Did you get it through a recruiter? Was it the email you sent to a company with your resume? Did you apply at the company website and they actually followed up with you? Did you call, reach a company recruiter and go from there? What route led you to success?

I hate the idea of just applying to a website and hoping from there. Is it okay to try to contact someone like a recruiter I miraculously found by googling like crazy? When do you call to followup after you've sent a resume in an email?

I just feel like I'm going about this the wrong way....:skeptical: If it matters, which I'm sure it does, I'm in California.

Thanks for the help everyone!!!!

[Oliphaunt182]

I to am currently looking for an entry level job, right now I have been using the University actuarial club websites, getactuarialjobs.com, actuary.com and company websites to find positions. From there I try to find the actuary who does the recruiting and email him. Currently I have two very good leads one which I have interview coming up for and another who said they would give me a call back as soon as a position becomes available because of my degrees and academic history.

There is also a few job listings that say "only apply through our website", in which case I only apply through the website =)

But on top of all that, I have had several positions where I'm not considered for whatever reasons, several emails with the generic "thanks for your interest we'll keep your resume and cover letter on file". Persistence has been my key right now.

But if anyone has any advice or if I'm doing it all wrong let me know.

[jansder]

CareerBuilder.com and DwSimpson are excellent.

[mjlee08]

I have applied to DW Simpson, but was told that they don't have too many leads on the West Coast for an entry level candidate like myself. Careerbuilder.com is a good resource that I have been using, thanks jansder.

Oliphaunt182, I'm doing pretty much the same thing as you. I have more opportunities for phone and face to face interviews this week too. How have actuaries responded when you email them about job opportunities? Does it work better at small or large companies? You're right about persistance. Phone calls for me get me one step closer, so I will keep doing that. That is the only thing I recommend if you aren't doing it yet. Thanks for the websites also. Good luck in your job search!

[Oliphaunt182]

I've gotten basically two types of replies from actuaries when I have emailed them. The first response I received was the typical "thanks for your resume, we'll keep it on file and will conact you when a position becomes available with your qualifications."

The second response I have gotten is a more of a conversation type response with the Actuary in which we have had a very informal conversation about job availability and my qualifications. This has lead to my second interview which I have next week.

[dmbfan41]

if possible, i'd recommend trying to get contact information and personally contact the company. applying to a company's database is hit-or-miss at best, especially for entry level candidates.

[mjlee08]

if possible, i'd recommend trying to get contact information and personally contact the company. applying to a company's database is hit-or-miss at best, especially for entry level candidates.

The contact information we try to get, should it be for the actuarial director/manager or the company recruiter? I tried to call Blue Shield, but they won't let anyone through. So in that case I had no other option than to just apply on their company website. Any ideas are welcome on who and how to approach getting contact info:D

[Oliphaunt182]

Try university actuarial club sites, they typically have a recruiter for a region or a college. The actuary who does that recruiting is definately one that is involved in the interview process later. I get most of my contacts from my old University Actuarial Science club. Just google "USC actuarial club" or some other college in that area.

[atkinsmt]

I used a few recruiters to help me out. As an entry-level candidate not knowing the actuarial field and players too well (career changer) I felt this was the best to get my foot in the door somwhere. I ended up getting a position through DWSimpson. My recommendation when working with a recruiter is to constantly check in with them (weekly) to find out what's out there. If you don't, you may easily get overlooked because you can bet someone like me is reminding them that I'm there. :)

Also, talk with other students at the exam... at all three I've gone to everyone seems eager to discuss the exam and "what they got for #7". Take that opportunity to find out about who they are, where they work, and who to speak to at that company. You never know.

[mjlee08]

I used a few recruiters to help me out. As an entry-level candidate not knowing the actuarial field and players too well (career changer) I felt this was the best to get my foot in the door somwhere. I ended up getting a position through DWSimpson. My recommendation when working with a recruiter is to constantly check in with them (weekly) to find out what's out there. If you don't, you may easily get overlooked because you can bet someone like me is reminding them that I'm there. :)

Also, talk with other students at the exam... at all three I've gone to everyone seems eager to discuss the exam and "what they got for #7". Take that opportunity to find out about who they are, where they work, and who to speak to at that company. You never know.

I did contact my recruiter this week and will make sure I continue to. Thanks for the advice.