Getting your first job?

[rhill9]

I've just passed Exam P and have started seriously applying for actuary jobs. I've heard you're generally not taken too seriously until you've passed at least 2 exams, but it can't hurt to try, right?

Anyway, I'm curious as to how all of you landed your first actuary job (for those that HAVE landed jobs). What qualifications did you have? Did you apply to an opening online? Did you contact a recruiting company? Did you cold call companies or do any networking?

I realize this will vary greatly from person to person and that the only right method of getting a job is doing ALL the methods, but I'm still curious to hear some personal experiences.

[tonydelante]

I'm a little further into my exams having just passed exam C and have the same questions. I'm moving over from underwriting but my company isn't really set up for actuarial students.

[Irish Blues]

I've just passed Exam P and have started seriously applying for actuary jobs. I've heard you're generally not taken too seriously until you've passed at least 2 exams, but it can't hurt to try, right?

Anyway, I'm curious as to how all of you landed your first actuary job (for those that HAVE landed jobs). What qualifications did you have? Did you apply to an opening online? Did you contact a recruiting company? Did you cold call companies or do any networking?

I realize this will vary greatly from person to person and that the only right method of getting a job is doing ALL the methods, but I'm still curious to hear some personal experiences.

You can try to apply with one exam passed; however, realize that since the start of 2010 there have been over 13,000 people who have passed Exam P; for perspective, in the 2001-2004 period about 14,000 people passed P. That's 1,000 fewer successful candidates in 1.5 years less time ... and the number of positions in the actuarial field have not grown significantly.

Passing one (1) exam, especially P, isn't that big of a deal; passing 2-3 exams is harder and actually shows some passion about passing exams and sticking with it. That's not to say you can't get in with one (1) exam passed - but the task is significantly harder.