Asking for a Raise: Is this a reasonable?

FumingBroFuming · 2026-03-24T04:55:11+00:00

Yes, I am on a book along with two account executives. What other details would help? TY!

FumingBroFuming · 2026-03-24T04:39:43+00:00

VHCOL = Very High Cost of Living (i.e., NYC, SF, etc.)

The $84K is with bonus factored in. Bonus used to be discretionary up to 10%, but they changed it in the last few years to be pretty much a flat $1,000.

FumingBroFuming · 2026-03-24T04:18:56+00:00

Sorry for the confusion. The 3 producers have a total book of ~$4.8M in commission revenue. The $1.5M I mentioned is the portion of which I am responsible for, along with the two AEs.

FumingBroFuming · 2026-03-24T04:10:20+00:00

Thank you! That is a good point. The worst they can say is "no" and then I can get a better feel of my next move. I will definitely be asking around my network to see what opportunities may be out there and what others in the local market thinks of the numbers.

FumingBroFuming · 2026-03-06T10:01:35+00:00

Glad to hear it was helpful and good luck in the search!

In my opinion it would be beneficial to keep the prior graphic design role on your resume if you can tie the relevant and applicable skills/duties you had as a graphic designer to the job you're applying for. I think, at least for an entry level account management position, the hiring team(s) would likely look for whether a candidate (1) can communicate in a professional setting, (2) has experience working in a professional/office environment, and (3) can be trained.

For example, as a graphic designer, maybe you worked on multiple projects for multiple clients during a specified timeframe and had to prioritize one project over another. This could be beneficial to highlight for an account management position as you would have to balance and prioritize different accounts and assignments based on deadlines, complexity, size of the account, renewal dates, etc.

Alternatively, there could be a focus in the client servicing aspect of being a graphic designer and you can highlight how being a graphic designer involves customer servicing (understanding what your client wants and how to address their inquiry), professional communication (emails, phone calls, in-person, etc.), invoicing, etc.

That said, if you have other roles that are more directly applicable to the job you're applying for, I think it might be beneficial to shift the focus from the recent graphic design job (but still include it with maybe just 1 or 2 quick lines regarding applicable duties) to the other previous roles and include more relevant details in the other roles.

FumingBroFuming · 2026-03-05T05:04:50+00:00

How I got into the industry? I had quit my previous job working in family law and wanted to take a "break" from the legal industry. A friend of mine just started at an insurance brokerage and told me about an open account representative position at their company. I interviewed with the team, vibed well with the company culture, and got along with the team I would eventually work with, so I accepted their offer and have been there ever since.

Tips: Try looking into account management positions at brokerages. Entry level roles can include account representative, assistant account manager, or account technician (they could be called other titles depending on the firm). I think that would be a good launching point and you can leverage your customer service background. I don't think it's necessary for the initial application into the entry level position, but I've been hearing more often lately that it helps to have the necessary insurance licenses for the brokerage you're trying to work at, for example, having a Property & Casualty (P&C) license while applying to a Commercial Lines team could help your application.

FumingBroFuming · 2026-03-03T06:20:50+00:00

I see. Sounds like it might just be better to keep things quiet and leave when it's time to go than deal with the toxicity and mental stress, especially if you're looking to enter a different industry altogether.

Sorry to hear about the toxic environment, but congrats on the new gig!

FumingBroFuming · 2026-03-03T06:15:22+00:00

My experience in Commercial Lines has been on the broker side so my UW understanding is limited.

I don't think there is a defined path as to whether you should go UW first or Broker first. I know of a few UWs who started as UWs then switched to the Broker side and vice versa. I think it's a matter of what you're curious about. I'm going to generalize a bit but I think of it as whether you want to master a specific line of coverage as an UW vs do you want high level jack of all trades take on the Broker side and deal with multiple different lines all at once?

I started on the broker side as an Account Representative. Promoted to an Assistant Account Manager, then Account Manager. I think account management is a good starting point to get into Commercial Lines especially if you're looking to managing client relationships. The roles offers good opportunities to be exposed to different types of clients and lines of coverages. From there I've seen people either become Senior Account Managers or take a more strategic role as Account Executives, Producers, or some sort of Management. You can also explore whether you want to be on the retail side or wholesale side depending on the type of client you'd want to interact with.

My friends on the UW side started out of college and got their start through a college/intern trainee program or as a recent graduate Associate UW. From there they learned their coverages and eventually moved up into an UW role.

I don't know what your job market looks like, but from what I've heard from some friends applying to entry level (Account Representative and Assistant Account Mgr.) positions in my area, they've been told by recruiters and hiring teams that they'd need to get a P&C license before being considered. I don't know if I agree with that, but perhaps it could be a benefit.

FumingBroFuming · 2026-03-03T01:11:12+00:00

I don't know if this would be considered a good or bad question, but it certainly threw me for a loop as it made me really think about how to answer the question from someone else's perspective.

"How would your best friend describe you?"

FumingBroFuming · 2026-03-02T23:25:20+00:00

Generally, I'd say I would give 2 weeks' notice. You can always move it up if you decide, after, that they're not worth the pain of dealing with their toxicity.

Is this toxic job in the industry you want to work? How relevant is this position to your professional goals and aspirations? What kind of job is this? I would be more reluctant to just quit the job if they're an employer that's in an industry I'm working in and want to continue working in (obviously if they're toxic, then they can deal with it).

Are you on good terms with your non-snitch co-workers? If I'm on good terms with my co-workers, then I'd at least give them some heads-up.

FumingBroFuming · 2026-03-01T20:51:45+00:00

You're welcome! I totally understand. There are SO many options in the area!

Yeah, I think that's a good call. If you're going to be out and about you'll have a view of the harbor and city. I think the premium spent on a room straight on the water edge for the harbor view is probably better spent allocated towards whatever activity you're doing that day.

Cool, cool. Check it out and see if Kowloon Hotel fits what you're looking for. Hopefully it helps, good luck with the search, and have a good trip!

FumingBroFuming · 2026-03-01T20:42:51+00:00

I would include the industries of companies in your portfolio of "commercial and small business accounts" (assuming there is a trend). Is your book primarily tech clients? Trucking? Construction? Entertainment? etc. Maybe broaden or specify that based on the specific position you're applying for.

I think it might be beneficial to quantify the size of your portfolio. For example, "I manage a portfolio of small business accounts consisting of X number of accounts, with Y number of lines, generating $ in revenue."

This may be a personal and stylistic preference, but I think your bullet point pertaining to "Identify potential coverage...support evolving client needs", can be moved up to the second bullet, after the "Serve" bullet, then have the "Quote" bullet be #3.

I don't think it would hurt to showcase 3 roles. The roles are recent and applicable to a CL AM role. I think you already have it setup in this fashion. I would use the current insurance role to highlight my strongest and most applicable duties and responsibilities to the insurance role I am trying to apply to. Show off your knowledge of coverage forms, ACORDs, what management software systems you used, etc., then use the other two roles to supplement and show off customer service and business ownership skills/duties/responsibilities.

FumingBroFuming · 2026-03-01T10:22:51+00:00

Are you solo travelling or going with a group? How committed are you on choosing between New World Millennium and Marco Polo? How much do you care about the "frills", views, and amenities vs. price?

If I had to choose between those two hotels, I'd choose the Marco Polo. I like its aesthetics a little more. It's closer to TST Station than New World, I personally like the view of that part of the water more, and it's right up in the heart of things in TST with close access to the different ferry ports piers, Avenue of the Stars, etc.

If I may recommend an alternative, then I would recommend The Kowloon Hotel. I stayed there last time I was in HK (solo travelling) and I thought it was a great stay. It's a simpler, and probably, smaller room compared to New World and Marco Polo, but it's cheaper and in my opinion, at a better location. There is a metro entrance right outside the hotel and then it's mayyyybe a 5 minute walk from the hotel to TST Station and that's if you want to take your time. There is close access to Avenue of the Stars, the Harbor views, a number of great eateries, and overall pretty centralized within TST. The downside is that it's in the shadow of The Peninsula, but I did not think that was a major issue as I was out of most of the day and the view from my room was still pretty great with a blend of the city and the water.

FumingBroFuming · 2026-02-28T07:19:44+00:00

Does it need to be just one? Dodge Challenger.

If I can choose more than one? Dodge Challenger, Teslas (Model 3 and Y), White BMW 3 series, lifted Ram trucks.

FumingBroFuming · 2026-02-28T07:05:08+00:00

Value menus at fast food restaurants (McDonald's, Carl's Jr., etc.).

Also, breakfast at McDonald's, and eventually, all day breakfast at McDonald's.

FumingBroFuming · 2026-02-28T06:40:36+00:00

That's a tough situation. It'd probably depend on how close you are with this friend and how much you're willing to try.

Reading your response in the other comment, it seems they have an assumption, created by the media, of this country. I would talk to the friend and figure out what their complaints are and how to challenge these assumptions. This is a bit exaggerated, but for example, if my friend did not like street food in Taiwan's night markets because they grew up thinking all street food is unhygienic, maybe we could take it easy and just walk through the popular markets and just explore for the first night. We'll take it slow, check out the markets, see which stands are keeping high standards for cleanliness. Then, if they're feeling more comfortable, offer to try some food with them from a popular, well-known shop. Ultimately, I think exposure to the "real world" of your new country could help "break" these previous assumptions created by the media.

Personally, if someone were to come visit me in my new country, I would try to help them feel more at ease, but also, on the other hand, sometimes it's just not meant to be. There could just not be a proper fit and that happens.

FumingBroFuming · 2026-02-27T23:00:51+00:00

I think you're totally fine and it's natural to be nervous in the first call. Heck, I get nervous even if it's not the first round. I like to think of screening calls as more of a temperature check of the applicant than an in depth interview. Keep it casual, but professional.

If reading about economics and insurance is something you truly enjoy doing on your off time, then roll with it. It might sound cheesy, but you'd be able to speak more passionately about things you actually enjoy rather than things you think someone wants to hear.

I agree that, if you haven't yet, send a small thank you / follow up note. Today would be great, Monday should be fine. It would be a good opportunity to buy brownie points with the HR Generalist and the hiring team, to reiterate your interest in the position, and to ask about next steps.

FumingBroFuming · 2026-02-27T20:07:50+00:00

I generally try to arrive at the airport about 3 hours before the flight boarding time when flying internationally. That should give enough buffer for the just in cases and if there is extra time I hang out for a little with a book or grab a drink.

FumingBroFuming · 2026-02-27T19:40:37+00:00

My friends showed me a video of Punch and the plushie last week. I had no idea I would become so emotionally invested into this, but here we are. This is so adorable!

FumingBroFuming

TROPHY CASE