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Any advice on Metlife

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Jan 10, 2008 7:34 am

i just had a 3rd interview with metlife and wasnt really into going to it as i had narrowed my search to 2 other firms but right when i walked in i interviewed with the managing director of the office and we hit it off. he was the president of the college of financial planning here in san diego for a number of years and most of the financial advisors in the office that had been working for 3 years had that designation.it seemed that management in the office really wanted their advisors to get that and i feel that it is important if i am looking for longevity in this career. i thought it was also funny that the board of the college of financial planning was meeting in the conference room. as well. i have searched on these forums and havent read too much about their training or their business model. i mean there are tons of threads on Jones and Indy and Merril and all others. Any ideas,thoughts advice, suggestions. thanks everyone.

Jan 10, 2008 2:11 pm

what designation? CFP, CLU, or ChFC?

Jan 10, 2008 5:13 pm

You want a suggestion?  Here’s my suggestion:  look at your keyboard, and find the “shift” keys.  They work wonderfully in producing something called capital letters.  You may remember those as the things your teachers told you were used to start sentences with, among other things. 

I know they aren’t used much in text messaging and other common forms of communication used in the pre-employment world, but you’d be amazed at how much use they’ll get wherever you go to work!

Maybe all those silly teachers were right after all …  


Jan 10, 2008 5:19 pm

There, now that I got the punctuation bit handles, let me just add this.

Insurance companies - or good agencies - can be fantastic places to learn the business, especially if you are interested in leading with (get ready for a surprise!) insurance!  The wirehouses or securities broker/dealer firms would be a better fit if you prefer to focus primarily on investments.

You can do both at either firm, but you won’t be paid very well for insurance at b/d’ers, as your insurance commissions will be run through the grid which means you’ll lose about 60% (or whatever your b/d’s cut is).

So ask your self what role do you see insurance playing in your business, and where can I best learn the business?

Jan 10, 2008 6:50 pm
BigRed:

what designation? CFP, CLU, or ChFC?

  The College of Financial Planning's flagship designation program is the CFP education program.   But, if you're going to go to an INSURANCE company, I'd start with LUTCF, then CLU, ChFC then CFP - IN THAT ORDER.   LUTCF will help you survive.  CLU will "certify" you as an insurance specialist.  ChFC is only 3 more courses, and CFP will "certify" you as a financial planner according to their standards.
Jan 11, 2008 6:46 am

I am sorry as I was unaware that I was writting an essay for the Dirctor of the English Language. I mean even authors have a team of editors making sure all of their sentences are right (at least I have Morpheus). Thank you for the advice though. I knew that Metlife was a big name in the insurance biz, however all the guy talked about was fee based planning and investments. I think we touched on insurance one when I told him about the other firms that I was interviewing with. Does anyone know someone who works for met life as a fee based planner?

Jan 11, 2008 2:49 pm

A tad touchy for someone soliciting feedback and help, aren’t we Ryeman?  If you can’t accept a little constructive feedback delivered with a playful wink - perhaps you missed the emoticon? - you’re likely to be in for a rude awakening if you get into the business!

But to the matter at hand, from what you’ve shared so far it sounds more like you are interviewing with a MetLife agency rather than MetLife itself.  The distinction is generally hard to see from a client’s standpoint - since the MetLife name is always front and center - but it is an important distinction especially if you are considering working there.  If you’re not familiar with the different distribution channels insurance carriers use - as most people are not - this is a common point of confusion, and one worth spending some time learning about.

Did you receive anything in writing from the office you interviewed with?  If so, do you see anything in smaller print that talks about such and such an agency, or general agent, for MetLife? 

And just to be clear this time, I am not trying to be either your Director of English Language or your Director of Insurance Industry.  I’m just trying to be of some help. 


Jan 11, 2008 3:13 pm

I hate the agency system…generally agents are annoying. The best is when they call themselves managing partners. Who are the other partners that they manage?

Jan 11, 2008 3:37 pm

Are you sure that you hate the agency system and not your particular agency? 

  I ask because I see lots of benefits in my particular situation.
Jan 11, 2008 4:23 pm

Morpheus I was just messing around. no venom here and I am not sensitive to say the least as I sold knives door to door for 3 years. I was bein sarcastic but I will have to try harder to be funny i guess. Thank you for the advice though.

Jan 11, 2008 8:30 pm

i worked at new england for 3 years, from 02-05, during which time Met bought us.  our GA was really pushing managed and fee based stuff even as an insurance company.  i think met does some wonderful things to help new agents-notice i said agents and not registered reps.  their new hire pay plan, if the same as when i was there, is phenomenol.  feel free to private message me if you want.

Jan 11, 2008 8:57 pm

METLIFE?!

WHO THE HELL WANTS TO SELL INSURANCE?

MY ADVICE IS IF YOU'RE CONSIDERING INSURANCE SALES THEN GO FOR IT BECAUSE YOU'LL NEVER MAKE IT IN A WIREHOUSE

MY CAPS LOCK IS ON BY THE WAY

Jan 11, 2008 9:01 pm

Aurum, How can you help your client achieve their financial goals if insurance isn't part of what you do?

Jan 11, 2008 10:11 pm

[quote=anonymous]

Aurum, How can you help your client achieve their financial goals if insurance isn't part of what you do?

[/quote]   Aurum doesn't know how to answer that questions because he hasn't even started studying for the series 7 yet let alone opened his first account.  I don't mean to pick on him but I find it hilarious how after doing a little research on our industry and talking to a few reps they form such strong opinions. Case in point "Go sell insurance because you won't make it in a wire".....coming from his vast years of experience of what it takes to make it!