happy at your job? this call’s for you! - dw simpson · as an actuary, it is likely that ......

Volume 2, Issue 4 – Fourth Quarter 2012

RETAINED – Chief Actuary – Southwest, USA: Regional health carrier is looking for an ASA or FSA for their Chief Actuary role. This person will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Actuarial function including pricing, reserving and forecasting. This role is also responsible for the management of a small Actuarial team. (#36053)

RETAINED – Actuary, Director of Risk & Capital Management – Canada: Life insurance company seeks Actuary at the Fellow level. Must have strong understanding of life products and financial risk. Financial modeling and MCCSR regulations knowledge is preferred. (#35882)

RETAINED – Health Consultant – West, USA: Our client has asked us to locate a health consultant with solid health & welfare experience. This position will be responsible for managing dental and disability client accounts. Will be responsible for training junior staff. Actuarial credentials desired. (#36112)

RETAINED – Actuarial Consultant – Midwest, USA: Leading health consulting firm seeks Actuary with ASA or FSA designation. Work will include employee benefit underwriting along with managing/mentoring junior staff members for product pricing. A minimum of 12 years Actuarial experience is preferred for this position. (#35957)

800-837-8338 / 312-867-2300 [email protected] www.dwsimpson.com

If you are not looking for a new job, then please continue read-ing this article…

As an Actuary, it is likely that you receive calls from recruiters several times a year. More often than not, you probably do not feel it is necessary to respond to these calls… which makes sense, especially given you are likely happy in your current position. However, there are many benefits to speaking with a recruiter regardless of your current situation.

While the ultimate goal of a recruiter may be to help you find your next position, you should also view recruiters as a re-source for helping you stay current with the Actuarial employ-ment market.

Depending on your tenure in the industry, you probably have a solid grasp of the insurance employment market, particularly with regard to the companies for which you have worked. While that knowledge is invaluable, understanding the job market from a broader perspective can also benefit you and your career.

Just as part of your job is to maintain an in-depth understand-ing of your day-to-day responsibilities, including future trends that might affect your job, our role as recruiters is to understand all aspects of the Actuarial employment market. By taking a recruiter’s call, you can stay educated and up-to-date on job market trends within your industry. The information you gather in an initial (or resumed) conversation with a recruiter also can be used to educate you regarding new options that can affect your career trajectory. Perhaps, through these discussions you may encounter a career path that you heretofore had not thought of as a possibility? Just ask a former life Actuary who now works on a trading desk on Wall Street.

Continued on page 2

RETAINED – AVP of Actuarial & Research Analytics – Northeast, USA: This position is responsible for leading a team of Actuaries as well as enterprise-wide predictive modeling efforts. This is a highly visible position and will report directly to the Chief Actuary. Candidate should have 8+ years of P&C experience with emphasis on analytics and product development. (#34991)

RETAINED – Actuarial Vice President – Northeast, USA: International life insurer seeks Actuarial Vice President with FSA designation and several years of experience. Solid pricing and product management background desired. This position will be responsible for creating individual life product solutions. (#36172)

RETAINED – Actuary, Director of Risk & Capital Management – Canada: Life insurance company seeks Actuary at the Fellow-level. Must have strong understanding of life products and financial risk. Financial modeling and MCCSR regulations knowledge is preferred. (#35882)

RETAINED – Managing Director – Northeast, USA: Leading global consultancy firm seeks a Managing Director for their life Actuarial practice. Strong business development abilities as well as a broad background in life insurance will be vital to this role. Successful candidates will be seasoned consultants with strong leadership skills. (#37182)

Happy At Your Job? This Call’s For You! S P O T L I G H T I N G T R E N D S

H O T J O B S !

Please also remember that recruiters are calling you for a reason. In DW Simpson’s case, we have been in the industry for more than two decades, so it is likely we

know you, or are quite familiar with your background and/or the group in which you are working. When potential employers come to our firm with open positions, they look to us to contact the most qualified individual. That very well might be you!

Again, you very well may be content with your current position. As such, this puts you in a position of strength. You may not need a job today; however, in speaking with a recruiter you’ll become an Actuary with an increased knowledge of the industry…which just might translate into you becoming a stronger candidate when it comes time to make a move. DWS


RELOCATION = ADVENTUREBy: Bob Morand

President and Managing Partner

One of the nicer aspects of business travel is visiting locations one might otherwise not think of visiting. Bermuda is, for example, one destination that immediately comes to mind. I travel to Bermuda four or five times a year for client visits and various conferences. It’s really a wonderful place that blends cutting edge work in the (re)insurance industry, subtropical island beauty and year-round weather that can’t be beat.

Now, I recognize that some might have issue with Bermuda’s humidity and the occasional hurricane. But, heck, that’s what shorts and knee-high socks are for, right?

Whenever the plane is about to touch down in Bermuda, as we glide over the beautiful turquoise waters that surround the island, I feel a strong sense of adventure. And while I know I’m only going to be there for two to three days, it still excites me to know that people have moved their lives to this lone rock in the middle of the Atlantic, are making a fantastic living in their chosen industry, and are doing so in a more than aesthetically pleasing environment.

Which gets me to thinking about relocating in general. If you as a professional are open to relocation, the increase in career opportunities for you to consider is great, especially in today’s market for Actuarial and insurance analytics talent. The demand for you is, pretty much, everywhere these days in North America.

Of course, there are some who would never, EVER, think of leaving, say, Philadelphia. That’s okay – Philadelphia needs inhabitants, too. But, if you’re game and you’ve spent the majority of your life in and around Des Moines, why not give Chicago, Cincinnati or (gasp!) New York a whirl? Especially if you’re at a stage in your life (young) without the usual familial responsibilities (spouse/kids). Time and again people have told me what a great experience they had when they relocated to City X for Y number of years. The majority of these individuals approached relocation as a professional and personal adventure. Sure, there always are going to be a few pangs of discomfort when you move from Seattle to San Antonio; however, those pangs dissipate rather quickly when one immerses himself/herself in both the new job and new environment.

Of course, in the recruiting profession, we work with people who relocate all the time. Some don’t think twice about it. For others, it is a daunting proposition. It’s not for everybody, I understand. But, again, if you’re game, it can be a very rewarding experience, both professionally and personally. And, just to assure you, Philadelphia and Des Moines will always be there. DWS

Happy At Your Job? This Call’s For You! continued

S P O T L I G H T I N G T R E N D S

H E L P F U L T R A V E L A P P S

Yelp is a must have for every traveler. Use the map to locate great places to eat, drink, shop and play. With reviews from locals & travelers just like you, Yelp can help you find that perfect place to eat, and even book a reservation to beat the crowd.

AccuWeather is the go to weather app for hourly and 15 day forecasts. Track storms with AccuWeatherʼs live weather maps, or watch a real meteorologist report the news using your current location. You can also see weather updates in your calendar and notification center.

TweetDeck is the perfect tool to connect with Twitter and Facebook from your mobile device. Most Actuarial meetings have their own apps & hashtags (i.e. #SOAAnnual or #CASAnnual). Follow hashtags, keywords and specific Twitter feeds to find out whatʼs going on around you.

FlightView is a free app that lets you track flights, receive status alerts, check gate assignments, find baggage claim information and view flight maps with a weather radar overlay. Save your flight itineraries for quick access and add your own notes (hotel, rental car, etc).

Photoshop Express is a fun and easy way to spruce up your favorite travel pictures. You can crop, rotate & adjust your photos in seconds. Then choose from a list of creative filters and borders before you post to Facebook, tweet or email to family and friends.

Google Translate is an app for the global traveler. Translate between 64 languages by typing or speaking into your phone. The results show up on your screen to share with others, or press play to listen to your translations aloud. Your history is then saved for offline use.

Helpful Tips for Video Conferencing and SkypeWith the use of video technology on the rise, more and more interviews are being conducted ‘live’ over a computer screen versus ‘live’ in person. This means that candidates often need to brush up on tips for successfully coming across in this type of interview. Most interviews are conducted over Skype which is a free software application and requires only a webcam. Below are some tips for a successful video interview.

1Arrive to the conference room or Skype location

about 5-10 minutes early and be sure you are prepared for the call. Have you researched the company? Have you thought about answers to potential interview questions? Are you familiar with the conference medium and can you troubleshoot any mishaps? Expect some technical issues – have patience when technical issues arise.

2 Be yourself! Imagine that the other participants are sitting in the same room with you. Speak naturally and clearly, but remember to pause occasionally so that

others may make comments.

3Be energetic, enthusiastic and responsive. Remember that this type of interview should be handled just as an onsite interview:

· Allow good give and take during the call. Try not to dominate the conversation.· Ask appropriate questions – this shows interest on your part and shows you’ve done your research.· Do not let your guard down. Speak to everyone as if they were the President of the company.· Being too casual regardless of level is a common mistake.

4In terms of attire/clothing, avoid busy or boldly patterned clothing, especially red or black. Avoid jewelry that may brush against things, or be distracting. Solid,

muted colors are recommended. Choose the same attire you would for a formal in-person interview (i.e. a full suit).

5Make sure the room in which you are sitting is tidy and neat. You don’t want the interviewer to be distracted by disorder.

6Try a test call before the actual interview. Call a friend or family member to assure that you can be heard and that you appear presentable and professional.

Also, check the lighting so that you can properly be seen.

7Keep in mind that any prospective employer is looking for specific traits in a candidate so exhibit them rather than take for granted that they are evident on

the resume, or will naturally arise during the interview.

· Energy, Ambition, and Work Ethic – Employers look for candidates who possess all of these traits.· Dynamic – Employers want candidates who are not only technically oriented or good at math, but someone who is articulate and can explain technical matters to a non-technical audience.

· Intellectual Curiosity – The interviewing company will not necessarily expect you to know how to perform the day-to-day responsibilities immediately. However, you have to convey a willingness and desire to learn. DWS


V I D E O C O N F E R E N C I N G 1 0 1 S P O T L I G H T I N G T R E N D S

DW Simpson has awarded more than $150,000 in scholarships in the past 15 years to Juniors entering their Senior year who are studying Actu-arial Science, or related mathematics fields.

Participating universities include:

Ball State University Drake University Florida State University Howard University Illinois State University University of Connecticut University of Illinois University of Iowa University of Texas at

Austin

Additionally, DW Simpson offers two $1,000 scholarships each year through our website

www.dwsimpson.com/scholarships and have supported the International Association of Black Actuaries’ schol-arship programs.

facebook.com/dwsimpson

twitter.com/dwsimpson

dwsimpson.com/linkedin

dwsimpson.com/jobs

Yelp is a must have for every traveler. Use the map to locate great places to eat, drink, shop and play. With reviews from locals & travelers just like you, Yelp can help you find that perfect place to eat, and even book a reservation to beat the crowd.

AccuWeather is the go to weather app for hourly and 15 day forecasts. Track storms with AccuWeatherʼs live weather maps, or watch a real meteorologist report the news using your current location. You can also see weather updates in your calendar and notification center.

TweetDeck is the perfect tool to connect with Twitter and Facebook from your mobile device. Most Actuarial meetings have their own apps & hashtags (i.e. #SOAAnnual or #CASAnnual). Follow hashtags, keywords and specific Twitter feeds to find out whatʼs going on around you.

FlightView is a free app that lets you track flights, receive status alerts, check gate assignments, find baggage claim information and view flight maps with a weather radar overlay. Save your flight itineraries for quick access and add your own notes (hotel, rental car, etc).

Photoshop Express is a fun and easy way to spruce up your favorite travel pictures. You can crop, rotate & adjust your photos in seconds. Then choose from a list of creative filters and borders before you post to Facebook, tweet or email to family and friends.

Google Translate is an app for the global traveler. Translate between 64 languages by typing or speaking into your phone. The results show up on your screen to share with others, or press play to listen to your translations aloud. Your history is then saved for offline use.

1800 West Larchmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60613p: (800) 837-8338nue / f: (312) 951-8386

http://www.dwsimpson.com

CHICAGO | LOS ANGELES | MILWAUKEE | MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL | ATLANTASYDNEY | LONDON | SINGAPORE | HONG KONG | DUBAI | ZURICH | FRANKFURT


DW Simpson will be attending the following Meetings, Seminars and Conferences:

CABER Golf OutingOctober 4Hamilton, Bermuda

Society of Actuaries Annual Meeting & ExhibitOctober 14 - 17 Gaylord National Resort & Convention CenterNational Harbor, MD

Casualty Actuarial Society Annual MeetingNovember 11 - 14 Walt Disney World Swan HotelLake Buena Vista, FL

Southeastern Actuaries ConferenceNovember 14 - 16Royal Sonesta Harbor CourtBaltimore, MD

Caribbean Actuarial Association ConferenceNovember 15 - 16Sheraton Nassau Beach ResortNassau, Bahamas

CAGNY Fall MeetingDecember 6New York, NY

C O M P A N Y E V E N T S

Sneak peek at the NEW dwsimpson.com...

We’ve launched our new beta website and want your feedback. Browse hundreds of jobs, download our salary survey, find your recruiter and let us know how you like www.dwsimpson.com/jobs.

Mission StatementTo be the premier search firm specializing in the placement of Actuaries and related quantitative

professionals throughout the world; to be recognized for the best service, integrity and

forthrightness that the firm brings to each and every business relationship; and to be willing at all

times to sacrifice short-term gain for the long-term good of our clients and candidates.

happy at your job? this call’s for you! - dw simpson · as an actuary, it is likely that ......

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