Lisa Nichols from the insurance area of Suite101.com answers readers questions on the blog. If you're thinking about a career change, submit your question in confidence.
Regular readers know that I welcome your questions, comments and suggestions for articles in the insurance area of Suite101. This week, I received a question from someone thinking about switching insurance industry career paths, but with a twist:
Dear Lisa,
I am uniquely qualified to be an underwriter because of my years of education and my experience. However, I filed for bankruptcy several years ago. Can I still find a job in insurance with this black mark on my credit history?
Sincerely,
Are my Chances Bankrupt?
Dear Chances,
I think it depends a lot on the hiring company and their need for an underwriter, too. It’s something that employers review, but using credit reports as part of a background check is still new; a lot of companies won’t even factor this into hiring decisions.
I would say be very upfront and honest; if anything, someone with the background you describe is overqualified for a position as an underwriter. I think that would be harder for HR to get over than the bankruptcy. They’d worry that someone with that much education might want to move on, and quickly. Note that technically a bankruptcy can't be held against someone when they are searching for a job. Realistically, hiring managers and HR associates are the ones with the decision-making power.
Testing the waters with a headhunter or recruiters might be a good way to start.
Good luck and let me know how it turns out.
Best,
Lisa Nichols
Suite101 Insurance
Learn more about underwriter jobs in insurance or brush up on some of the many other hot careers in insurance right now, including IT jobs, creative career paths, RN case management, customer service, claims and insurance agents.
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