Recruiting recent grads for health insurance sales roles, $18-20/hr + commission.

Published on 06/02/2025Hiring & Talent Acquisition Insights

Okay, based on the provided Reddit discussion, here's an analysis of the job opportunity:

Job Opportunity Analysis:

A recruiting agency is looking for recent college graduates or young professionals for sales roles in health insurance agencies. This indicates there are entry-level job openings in the sales sector, particularly for those interested in or open to the health insurance industry. The discussion highlights the importance of being transparent about compensation and benefits in job postings to attract the right candidates.

Hot Skills:

  • Sales Acumen: A core requirement for the role.
  • Communication Skills: Essential for client interaction and sales pitches.
  • Resilience & Persistence: Implied for sales roles, especially those involving commission.
  • Proactive Outreach: Mentioned as a recruiting strategy, but also a valuable skill for salespeople in lead generation.
  • Interest in Health Insurance: While not a "skill," an interest or willingness to learn about the industry is crucial.

Tools:

  • LinkedIn Recruiter Lite: Mentioned as a tool used by the recruiter for sourcing, though its effectiveness was questioned for this specific search.
  • Job Posting Platforms: Implied as the primary method for advertising roles.
  • Reddit (Sales Communities): Suggested as an alternative platform for reaching potential candidates.
  • CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems: Likely used within the health insurance agencies themselves (not explicitly stated but standard for sales).

Qualifications:

  • Recent College Graduate / Young Professional: Explicitly targeted demographic.
  • No specific degree is mentioned, suggesting openness to various academic backgrounds, though business, marketing, or communications might be advantageous.
  • No prior sales experience explicitly required, indicating entry-level positioning.
  • A state insurance license will likely be required to sell health insurance, which may be sponsored by the hiring company post-employment or be a plus if already obtained.

Screening for Better Job Opportunities: The current opportunity offers a base hourly rate plus commission. For candidates evaluating this or similar roles:

  • Clarity on Commission Structure: "Plus commission" is vague. Better opportunities will clearly define how commission is earned, an average OTE (On-Target Earnings), and any ramp-up period.
  • Benefits Package: The discussion highlighted the omission of benefits. Opportunities that clearly state health insurance, 401k, paid time off, etc., are generally more attractive.
  • Training and Development: For recent graduates, roles offering structured training programs in sales and insurance products are more valuable.
  • Career Path: Opportunities with a clear path for advancement will be more appealing.

Possible Job Opportunities (based on this profile):

  • Health Insurance Sales Agent/Representative (Entry-Level)
  • Inside Sales Representative (Insurance)
  • Junior Account Executive (Insurance)
  • Business Development Trainee (Health Insurance Focus)

Resume Submission Directions (for candidates targeting such roles):

  • Highlight Sales Aptitude: Even without direct experience, emphasize transferable skills from coursework, extracurricular activities, or part-time jobs (e.g., communication, persuasion, customer service, goal-orientation).
  • Express Interest in Insurance/Sales: A tailored cover letter or resume objective can show genuine interest.
  • Professional Online Presence: Recruiters use LinkedIn. Ensure your profile is complete and professional.
  • Apply to Postings by Recruiting Agencies: Such as the one described, specializing in insurance or sales placements.
  • Direct Applications to Insurance Agencies: Many hire directly for entry-level sales positions.
  • Networking: Connect with professionals in the insurance sales field on platforms like LinkedIn or industry-specific forums.

Expected Earnings:

  • Base Pay: $18-20 per hour.
  • Commission: Variable, dependent on sales performance. This component has the potential to significantly increase total earnings but lacks specific figures in the discussion.
  • Potential Benefits: Health insurance, 401k (these were questioned as missing from the ad, so candidates should verify their inclusion).
  • Total Expected Earnings: Without commission details, it's hard to project. Annually, the base pay would be approximately $37,440 - $41,600 (pre-tax, based on a 40-hour week). Successful sales performance could substantially increase this. Candidates should inquire about average first-year OTE.

Origin Reddit Post

r/recruiting

How can I attract more recent college grads to apply for sales roles in health insurance?

Posted by u/Bubbly-Shelter-541706/02/2025
Hey everyone, I run an external recruiting agency that works with health insurance agencies hiring sales talent. We’re trying to bring in more **young professionals who are either about to gr

Top Comments

u/Bubbly-Shelter-5417
What would you say is the best way to actively find people to reach out too? I've been using LinkedIn Recruiter lite but its honestly not that effective
u/Conscious-Lobster60
Here’s a new job description for you: Health Benefits Consultant (Entry Level, Relentless, Disposable) We value ambition over experience because, frankly, anyone with experience reads the
u/PM_me_PMs_plox
When I was job searching, I assumed insurance sales jobs were basically pyramid schemes. The problem is that your job posting is setting off the same red flags. The fact that you are from a
u/Bubbly-Shelter-5417
Wrote prompt into gpt asked it to clean it up (Didn't think it was a big deal tbh) - I call every candidate that applies to the role and speak to them over the phone - or send them quick text
u/Bubbly-Shelter-5417
You know what you are right
u/I_AmA_Zebra
Recruiter Lite is literally recruiter with a few less filters. I forget if it has a graduation year/date filter but if not then just set Years of Experience to 0-1 and manually add local univ
u/TimeKillsThem
Don’t know for the US market but in Europe is very common to drive partnerships with universities to drive early careers
u/sread2018
Yes! Of course you need to add that to the job posting. You've mentioned zero benefits, is there 401k? Health insurance? Your ad is filled with vagueness and chatgpt emoji formatting and b
u/Spyder73
So 36k yearly base - there is your answer. That's not a bad entry level wage but your first year sales people are not earning 100k on average. Your pitch comes off as bull shit. You need t
u/I_AmA_Zebra
Recruiter Lite is literally recruiter with a few less filters. I forget if it has a graduation year/date filter but if not then just set Years of Experience to 0-1 and manually add local univ
u/sesamekittenn
Can you put Entry Level or New Grad in the job title?
u/Bubbly-Shelter-5417
The post does have compensation range - 1750 - 2000$ a week after commissions. It does include benefits as well
u/nuki6464
Has no one taught you how to head hunt? Also not sure how college fairs or on campus recruiting is not an option. I work for an agency and we have partnered with colleges. Pick up the phone a
u/Quiet_Relative_3768
Try talking to your employer about a higher wage with performance metric requirements instead of base + commission. That is uncertainty of income. No one wants that uncertainty 8n this econom
u/Spyder73
So 36k yearly base - there is your answer. That's not a bad entry level wage but your first year sales people are not earning 100k on average. Your pitch comes off as bull shit. You need t
u/nicholas_359
Literally put entry level in the title.
u/Real_Bug
I hate when job posts don't list a compensation range. It feels like a scam.
u/sread2018
Yes! Of course you need to add that to the job posting. You've mentioned zero benefits, is there 401k? Health insurance? Your ad is filled with vagueness and chatgpt emoji formatting and b
u/Bubbly-Shelter-5417
Wrote prompt into gpt asked it to clean it up (Didn't think it was a big deal tbh) - I call every candidate that applies to the role and speak to them over the phone - or send them quick text
u/Anxious_Leading7158
"**we keep getting more experienced, often older candidates** applying instead. There’s nothing wrong with that (we’ll hire anyone who’s qualified), but it often doesn’t match the office cult
u/WittyNomenclature
Or perhaps the employer should not be ageist and call it “culture”. FFS.
u/sread2018
You've managed to successfully avoid a critical piece of information What actually is the hourly rate thats on offer? Not average earnings.
u/Reds9299
You need to actively reach out to people not just wait for them to apply
u/PM_me_PMs_plox
When I was job searching, I assumed insurance sales jobs were basically pyramid schemes. The problem is that your job posting is setting off the same red flags. The fact that you are from a
u/alzho12
Maybe post in sales related communities like the sales subreddit.
u/nicholas_359
Literally put entry level in the title.
u/SarahDays
Please tell me like I’m 5 yo how this post isn’t blatantly discriminatory? It’s insurance sales anyone of any age can do this job you could be a SAHM or someone who’s middle age looking for a
u/Bubbly-Shelter-5417
I suck so its user error - I started this agency out of necessity for my clients so I'm learning on the go It does have those filters you are mentioning
u/Reds9299
You need to actively reach out to people not just wait for them to apply
u/sread2018
Yes! Of course you need to add that to the job posting. You've mentioned zero benefits, is there 401k? Health insurance? Your ad is filled with vagueness and chatgpt emoji formatting and b
u/sread2018
You've managed to successfully avoid a critical piece of information What actually is the hourly rate thats on offer? Not average earnings.
u/sesamekittenn
Can you put Entry Level or New Grad in the job title?
u/Bubbly-Shelter-5417
What would you say is the best way to actively find people to reach out too? I've been using LinkedIn Recruiter lite but its honestly not that effective
u/Conscious-Lobster60
Here’s a new job description for you: Health Benefits Consultant (Entry Level, Relentless, Disposable) We value ambition over experience because, frankly, anyone with experience reads the
u/Bubbly-Shelter-5417
anywhere from 18-20 dollars an hour (plus commission) Should I add that into job posts? and does that directly impact finding the type of candidates I am searching for?
u/Reds9299
You need to actively reach out to people not just wait for them to apply
u/alzho12
Maybe post in sales related communities like the sales subreddit.
u/alzho12
Maybe post in sales related communities like the sales subreddit.
u/bunnyagogo
University recruiter here who used to hire for entry level sales although in tech sales. I suggest signing up for Handshake. It’s a free platform for employers to post jobs to university stud
u/TimeKillsThem
Don’t know for the US market but in Europe is very common to drive partnerships with universities to drive early careers
u/nuki6464
Has no one taught you how to head hunt? Also not sure how college fairs or on campus recruiting is not an option. I work for an agency and we have partnered with colleges. Pick up the phone a
u/Bubbly-Shelter-5417
You know what you are right
u/Quiet_Relative_3768
Try talking to your employer about a higher wage with performance metric requirements instead of base + commission. That is uncertainty of income. No one wants that uncertainty 8n this econom
u/phatmattd
This whole post was written using chatGPT, are you using AI messaging as well? Talking to your candidates like a computer, in addition to not posting salary ranges make your job postings feel
u/phatmattd
This whole post was written using chatGPT, are you using AI messaging as well? Talking to your candidates like a computer, in addition to not posting salary ranges make your job postings feel
u/Bubbly-Shelter-5417
anywhere from 18-20 dollars an hour (plus commission) Should I add that into job posts? and does that directly impact finding the type of candidates I am searching for?
u/Bubbly-Shelter-5417
What would you say is the best way to actively find people to reach out too? I've been using LinkedIn Recruiter lite but its honestly not that effective
u/WittyNomenclature
Or perhaps the employer should not be ageist and call it “culture”. FFS.
u/Bubbly-Shelter-5417
anywhere from 18-20 dollars an hour (plus commission) Should I add that into job posts? and does that directly impact finding the type of candidates I am searching for?
u/Bubbly-Shelter-5417
Couldn't be farther from the truth. Very good opportunity I wish i was presented with when I was 22. Not very helpful comment
u/bunnyagogo
University recruiter here who used to hire for entry level sales although in tech sales. I suggest signing up for Handshake. It’s a free platform for employers to post jobs to university stud
u/Real_Bug
I hate when job posts don't list a compensation range. It feels like a scam.
u/sread2018
You've managed to successfully avoid a critical piece of information What actually is the hourly rate thats on offer? Not average earnings.
u/Liljcab
1750$ a week is the avg for newer agents just getting into the role. After 6 months id say 80% of the sales role is hitting 2k weekly (base + commission). Its definitely not an easy role. Ver

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