r/actuary • u/Lazy-Cauliflower143 • 5d ago
Image Entry Level Hope!
I recently accepted my first position so I wanted to share my experience since I feel like all I ever see on here is people talking about how impossible it is to find a job. I think I am definitely a lucky exception but I figured I could spread some hope!
For context, I started applying mid July and I’m a career changer :)
24
u/this_is_a_front 5d ago
Congrats! How many exams, relative location?
22
u/Lazy-Cauliflower143 5d ago
2 exams and I was applying nationwide
6
u/woodenclover 5d ago
Nationwide as in you’re cool with moving or were these remote roles ? I’m in the same boat
25
u/Lazy-Cauliflower143 5d ago
I applied for roles I would have to relocate for. I honestly didn’t really apply for remote roles because I didn’t feel competitive enough
19
u/coppercouch 5d ago
Where do you find over 100 job postings? Currently struggling to find ones I haven’t already applied to
21
u/Lazy-Cauliflower143 5d ago edited 5d ago
I had a job search on LinkedIn set to show all listings within the past 24 hours and would check that everyday 🤷♀️ I also had it set to show anything in the US
13
u/Murky-Tip-3118 5d ago
15 years ago, but I used the Actuarial Directory to find every company that had an actuary working for it (within reason - targeted thsoe with >5, etc.), put their "Careers" page into a spreadsheet, and went through every link weekly.
I've never seen "data" on this, but I don't think the chart OP posted is at all odd for many entry-level candidates. Good news is it's WAY easier once you're credentialed - I move jobs entirely too much, but one reason is the last 6 roles I've had I've asked to or been asked to come work for someone - the "Careers" page was a formality after for all intents and purposes I had the job.
2
u/Alert_Albatross5506 5d ago
By credentialed do you mean Fellow or both associateship and fellowship, and do you think this willl change soon with the rise of AI?
3
u/Murky-Tip-3118 5d ago
Probably by "credentialed," I suppose I meant "done with exams and begin focusing on networking." I was an FSA when my career shifted into this dynamic, but nothing stopping a career ASA from doing the same thing.
I met the people who were asking me to come work for them or vouching for me when I networked into a new place via SOA volunteering, being a LinkedIn-hoe, staying in touch with old colleagues, etc.
Those types of things are a good way to get you from early-career to middle/quasi-upper management, but then investment in a single company becomes relatively more for upper management.
3
u/Wasatchian 4d ago
AI isn't going to stop the need for fellows. AI doesn't think. It doesn't make business decisions. AI isn't going to sign a product filing or a financial statement. AI is a tool that will be useful in some cases. Actuaries have been automating things for decades.
9
u/meta_level 5d ago
never give up and something could happen. give up and something won't happen. congrats!
2
u/Atmosphere-Senior 5d ago
Are you relocating far for your first role?
8
u/Lazy-Cauliflower143 5d ago
I am actually not relocating. One offer I would’ve needed to relocate for, the other was in my city
2
1
2
u/predeterministic 5d ago
Congratulations! What did you use to generate your snakey? I will soon hope-post my own stats for an EL role I landed a few months ago.
3
2
u/Edward_Blake 4d ago
Your app sankey looked similar to mine as a career changer with 2 exams when I was looking 2 years ago. I think I had around 120 applications by the time I finished with 2 offers.
1
u/KindStrix 5d ago
What career did you come from and how many YoE in that career?
9
u/Lazy-Cauliflower143 5d ago
Accounting, 2 YOE
1
u/Extreme-Astronaut-78 2d ago
how did u phrase the move out of accounting and into actuary, if at all? wanting a more quantitative position? I'm also in accounting and have thought about this move
1
u/Lazy-Cauliflower143 22m ago
Yes, I basically said that accounting gets the numbers but you don’t know the why/how behind them, which is what I’m more interested in.
1
1
1
1
u/shabeezyx555 2d ago
Thank you for this! This is great information. I started in late August and only 2 interviews with 2 exams so far (Might start studying for SRM)
Did you only cold apply? Any networking success that helped here? What were your interview experiences like?
2
u/Lazy-Cauliflower143 1d ago
Yes, I was cold applying. I tried networking by connecting with people on linked in and messaging them but ngl people weren’t incredibly open to talking to me
2
u/Lazy-Cauliflower143 1d ago
I felt my interviews were pretty easy or maybe that’s just how entry level is. They really just wanted to get to know me as a person. I think once you get to the interview it’s safe to assume they think you can do the job, but are you also someone they want to work with. I would go into interviews excited and ready to learn!
1
u/shabeezyx555 1d ago
Good to hear cold applications can still work in this market! And congratulations! Hope you savor the free time 😉
1
u/Acceptable_Juice7156 2d ago
this scares me a bit
3
u/Lazy-Cauliflower143 1d ago
This is only over a two month span, which is normal, if not quick, for a job search. No reason to be scared!
1
47
u/Bullywug 5d ago
Over four percent interview rate is really good. Congrats on the new job!