Are You Good With People?

Well, there's a reason as I ask that question.

When the market gets hit with lots of new patients it's going to stand to reason that some of them are going to need to talk to someone or get help from someone. I know that working in a call center or in customer service is hard work, but it's work that has to be done and we would love it if that work were done by nice people like you. Just think about all the places you are needed when the insurance companies get a bunch of new customers.

The insurance companies have to keep customers happy because angry customers just lead to bad PR and that means someone who MUST buy insurance is going to go somewhere else. Well, customer service is the number one place to help people and keep frustrations to a minimum.

People who work in call centers get berated a lot--I've even berated some of them--but they aren't as cool or nice as you. You see, when someone calls a call center for help and they get no help then they're going to be just a little agitated. If you're the kind of person who is "cool as a cucumber" then you might want to think about working in customer service.

Typically, people who are especially mellow make very good managers because they can easily diffuse VERY nasty situations with their coolness. Also, that means the insurance company looks good--that's your boss--and everyone stays a little happier.

Also, there will be a need for adjusters and folks who handle paperwork. It's not just a matter or shuffling papers all day, but it's a matter of handling documents properly and begin very organized. If you're a very organized person and someone who can handle a filing system or keep everything together then you might want to consider working in insurance to keep clerical errors to a minimum.

Also, the insurance company needs folks to check on patient health. It's true that in the new legislation that an insurance company can't turn you down for pre-existing conditions, but some insurance companies do free "well-checks" and the like and you might be perfect. You don't even have to be a nurse or Doctor. You might be the person who calls houses to make sure people are ok and ask them how they're doing. Not a bad deal huh? You could get paid to talk on the phone all day!

In the end you need to think about customer service as a service opportunity--not a death sentence. Yes you might get yelled at but there will be a lot of appreciative people on the other end of the phone when you are as sweet as you are. Now's the time to step up and help people and get paid to do it at the same time!