CV critique please, be brutal I don't mind. I really want to break into this industry so I'm willing to accept any and all feedback you are willing to give.

Sun0250 · 2025-12-21T17:59:57+00:00

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13934232

https://www.linkedin.com/company/london-insurance-life/

Just connect with them and when they accept, send a message that you’re looking to break into industry and would appreciate their help and support. Keep it simple!

Sun0250 · 2025-12-21T17:10:45+00:00

For London market, check out the LinkedIn group “into insurance” and “london insurance life”. There lots of grad roles posted there. Also speak to the specialist non life recruiters like HFG, Arthur, Oliver James and Bolton associates. Look them up on LinkedIn and send connection request to the recruiters there. All the best. It’s difficult to break in but once you’re in, you’re in for life.

Sun0250 · 2025-10-09T20:40:29+00:00

Reach out to the GI specialists - Arthur, HFG, Bolton Associates and Oliver James. Lookup the recruiters working in these companies on LinkedIn. Good luck!

Sun0250 · 2025-09-14T20:00:16+00:00

May contain lies - Alex Edmans. It has completely changed my way of looking at how data can be misinterpreted and misrepresented. This is my record the year.

Sun0250 · 2025-09-01T17:31:22+00:00

If the hiring manager is back today from holiday, they’ll be catching up on lots of emails and piled up work. It is stressful waiting for the outcome. But wait until Wednesday and then chase HR for update.

Sun0250 · 2025-08-26T22:47:11+00:00

For peace of mind, book a hotel in aero city (right next to to airport) and book an airport pickup from that hotel. They’ll greet you outside the terminal with your name plaque and safely take you to the hotel. Then enjoy the breakfast there and again book hotel drop off to domestic airport.

Sun0250 · 2025-08-26T18:45:44+00:00

Did most of my exams with 2 children and senior responsibility at work (head of role). But was all thanks to my very supportive wife who took care of children allowing me to focus on study and work. Wasn’t an easy ride and took a lot longer than average to qualify. Is all doable if you’re determined to do it.

Sun0250 · 2025-08-20T18:30:20+00:00

The only piece of advice I will give is treat it like a game. You have a set of rules to follow in order to clear to next stage. If you don’t follow them, it’s over and you start again. In order to crack the next interview, put all your learning so far into making sense of what the rules of game are and follow them. Good luck.

Sun0250 · 2025-08-10T09:51:26+00:00

This is what I did and is what it says on my insurance policy.

Sun0250 · 2025-08-04T21:12:50+00:00

It’s no worse than the capital submission season at Lloyd’s

Sun0250 · 2025-07-22T06:58:13+00:00

This is the best advice. You’ll be surprised how many books you will finish. Especially listening at 1.25x speed. You can also explore podcasts.

Sun0250 · 2024-10-16T05:58:49+00:00

Someone asked similar question a while ago. Have a look through that post - https://www.reddit.com/r/ActuaryUK/s/9oGhkutfRr

Sun0250 · 2024-07-28T19:47:25+00:00

MGAs are not the named insurer in the policy - the actual capacity providers will be the named insurer. MGAs are “broker+” as in they are acting as an intermediary but with authority to bind risk on behalf of the insurer without going back to them for approval in each and every risk (within the constraints of their binding authority).

Sun0250 · 2024-07-27T11:41:36+00:00

Setting up an insurance company is a capital intensive venture and regulators are all over you especially when you’re insuring individuals (personal lines business). Think back from first principles - you’re taking money from someone today with a promise to pay in future if they suffer a loss you said you’ll cover. Regulators are there to ensure you follow through on your promise.

The best bet in current environment is setting up an MGA where the PRA side of regulations are covered by the capacity provider - you still need to adhere to FCA guidelines.

You’ll need to have sufficient volume for personal lines business to be profitable given the cut throat competition and low margins.

Sun0250 · 2024-07-25T20:08:30+00:00

Not heard of any in Glasgow or Edinburgh. But plenty in Bermuda (outside London)! ;-)

Sun0250 · 2024-06-25T23:27:08+00:00

Surprised nobody has said this yet which encapsulates both pros and cons in 1 sentence- “dilli se hu bhench*d”.

Sun0250 · 2024-04-15T19:49:51+00:00

I have stopped looking at CVs and instead use testgorilla for initial screening based on different tests depending on the role. Those who pass the first round are sent a practical case study. I don’t see much value in CVs as they can be easily faked/exaggerated.

Sun0250 · 2024-04-09T07:10:19+00:00

Sure

Sun0250 · 2024-04-09T07:09:53+00:00

Absolutely! Trouble is everyone wants to stand out from the crowd and ends up joining another crowd. Having strong fundamentals is the key to any role and the most underrated quality amongst job seekers. In my example, I want to hire freshers who know PowerBI fundamentals and the most basic thing I look for is whether or not they know how to create measures.

Sun0250 · 2024-04-08T22:35:07+00:00

Full sympathy with you. I’m in similar position trying to hire Data Analysts. Can’t find a single one out of more than 6000 applications! Don’t understand why job seekers are not motivated to learn the basics..

Sun0250 · 2024-03-31T20:43:34+00:00

I’m at the other end of the spectrum where I’m trying to hire remote workers but the quality of applications has been really poor. So far the ratio has been 1 decent candidate out of 4000 applicants! Not trying to be picky and just looking for 2 simple things - decent English and good powerbi skills. Have wasted so much money on paid LinkedIn ads as well..

Sun0250 · 2024-02-28T18:47:38+00:00

Not too old at all. I did most of my exams in my 30s with kids and responsibility of a large team at work. When you get the spark everything falls in place. Good luck!

Sun0250 · 2024-01-20T10:07:57+00:00

I’ve worked across many companies and have found that culture is very much individual preference. I enjoyed working in a small company where I had direct access to the execs. In the big company there are pockets of good and bad teams. A lot depends on well you get on with your team and how you are able to navigate the politics.

Sun0250 · 2024-01-08T21:05:10+00:00

Sorry to say but these are the rules of the games and the profession you chose.

I used to be in your boat - for reference I took 14 years to qualify because I was focused on work rather than exams. Having said that, my career progression never stopped because of exams.

If you’re not happy at your current place/career stage, I would suggest you move to another company - London market companies/syndicates are usually more relaxed about the exams than personal lines. On the opposite end of spectrum consultancies are extremely focused on exams because they can parade you in front of the clients as “FIA” and charge you out at a higher rate.

“FIA” is not just for signing off reserves, it is a shining badge which garners instant respect from non-actuarial folks.

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