Usually; I'm hesitant to color a job poorly - as sometimes it's just not a good fit for a person. However; Please don't work here. Seriously.
a typical day at work:
-Non-AEP: 50+ tickets daily, in diff time zones. But you can't call earlier than X time. Also you have to finish all your training that takes hours or you can't sell.
-AEP: 500+ calls waiting, and a call is ~30-40 minutes (maybe more). Don't do night shift because you'll never leave.
what you believe you learned:
-Value my time, this company is a hot mess.
-management:
Poor isn't even the tip of the iceberg.
-workplace culture:
- Work your pay, do not over extend yourself or they'll work you to the bone.
the hardest part of the job:
AEP and the hot mess that it is with WTW. Also PEGA - Pega has made me rip my own hair out.
the most enjoyable part of the job
The clients. They're just people who need help.
The actual, long review:
I was trained back in 2022 to get my insurance license - It was...fine. Kinda boring, but the health and life insurance test is absolutely brutal. Other than the fact that nowhere in the application, interview, or first 2 weeks of training is the fact that this position is *seasonal*. They'll promise that "oh well, we USED to let people go but..." they're lying.
Unless you're a top, top dog or you've been there for at least a season, you'll be let go between dec of that year, or feb of the next year (depending on how much money you make them). Some trainers for pre licensing and returners are fantastic - funny, interactive and know how to teach. Others couldn't care less and act like it's a burden that you're there. If you're already licensed/a returner - you'll do cold calls to "check" on people to make sure they're doing ok with their insurance. I'm sure you can tell how well this goes. Also; they start to push things that will feel illegal - but they sure do their research to scoot around the DOI's rules (see marketing rules from medicare website).
Your "pod leaders"? "managers? If you're responsible and know what you're doing - you're suddenly in leu manager because they're "too busy" and will actually berate you for messaging them/calling them when you need them for something. Nobody really knows what they're doing - everything changes at the blink of an eye.
During annual enrollment period(the busy season), it's absolute chaos. First two weeks, right before thanksgiving, and two weeks right before it is swamped and there are "black out days" where you can't schedule time off, you can't call out, and you won't get paid if your internet/power goes out unexpectedly. So many people drop during the first few weeks that you'll be over encumbered by the amount of calls - for example; my first group with the people I trained with was 20 people, there were only 3 at the end of AEP, and then I got let go (after I was told I wouldn't be.) Fun! I was repeatedly pinged to handle clients, answer questions, and take calls due to my managers not responding to anyone. The phone system can go down, new changes roll out and can break PEGA - leaving everyone angry, confused and scrambling to actually get work done. Customers can scream, berate and call you stupid - unfortunately, "they're just people needing help". Supplemental insurance plans are a headache - mainly because (through no fault of their own) the ones that own them call in as well, causing a clog in the system as they shop around for a new supplemental plan.
There's also something called QA that you are subject to; and they'll make sure you know. Any little infraction can add up, leading to you losing your bonus's. Don't confirm the last name? Infraction. Don't confirm their social security? Infraction. Say something off script? You got it by now. If you're new; you WILL fail most if not all of your QA's - aka, no bonus for you. If you're returning, you will too because they've adjusted the requirements/rules.
There's a "sibling" company (what am I even saying; it's called TRANZACT) that'll try to swipe you for the last two weeks of AEP - Don't do it. They do those TV ads that feel like scam and end up hurting the elderly because their insurance depends on WTW/specific company. They push sales more than WTW; after the two weeks of training from them most people drop from them/want to drop from them. It's two. weeks. straight. 7:00am to 8:00pm of nonstop calls and they'll chastise you if not every call is a sale. I'm not sure how they haven't been reported due to the absolutely predatory methods that they do.
If you make it through AEP; you'll be dropped. You'll think 'oh i guess i'm different', but no. You could be mid-call and your boss will tell you to transfer, then you'll be let go immediately. Without warning. They'll tell you to return the ( actually quite nice monitors) equipment via fedex, and you might get a small reward for doing so. Usually not. Heads up by the way; you have to shell out your own money to renew your insurance license if you're "laid off" and it's pretty expensive, especially if you have a lot of states.
If you're a returner; sometimes they'll keep you. Oh wait; not the same position. They'll shuffle you to a brand new position that you're not trained for - and if you don't want to- you have to leave. There is no negotiations, no conversation.
Anyway; what do I know? I only worked there for 2 entire seasons. Maybe it's different. (worse probably but hey- feel free to bite the bullet. I'm not your dad.)
