2016 was a landmark year for the insurance industry and the education sector – Ireland’s first honours degree-level apprenticeship launched and 67 apprentices started their careers in insurance.

Our Careers in Insurance infographic series explains everything you need to know about some of the most fundamental roles in the industry. Next up – insurance broking.

Meet Arlene O'Brien, Deputy President of The Insurance Institute of Galway

Our Careers in Insurance infographic series explains everything you need to know about some of the most fundamental roles in the industry. Next up – underwriting.

Insurance organisations employ people of many skills and backgrounds, all of whom are vital to the company's success. The roles available range from the traditional – underwriters, claims handlers, loss adjusters and sales personnel – to ancillary services like marketing, HR, accounting and IT.

Meet Clare Grimes, President of The Insurance Institute of Galway.

Effective business writing is one of the most important skills you should develop, no matter what your job title is or how long you’ve been working. Whether you’re sending an email to your colleagues, generating a report or creating a new sales pitch, the ability to communicate effectively could be the difference between success and failure in your next business endeavour.

Starting your first job is an intimidating experience. Aside from learning the practical and technical side of the job you will be doing, companies will have specific rules and customs that you will need to become familiar with.

There are no two ways about it – today’s job market is extremely competitive. Achieving good grades and having experience may not be enough to get you hired; what’s important in addition to this is how you position yourself, your skills and your values to potential employers and the market at large. This is called building your personal brand.

It’s important to find your niche – what do you want to be known for in your industry? What reputation would you like to have? What is it about you that will get you noticed by potential employers?

Below are some handy tips on how you can begin to build your personal brand.

Finding a job is never easy, no matter what sector you want to work in. From discovering the position you want to apply for, to securing an interview and closing the deal, there are a lot of steps to go through before you can find your dream job. That’s why we’ve put together this helpful guide on how to get a job in insurance – particularly if you’re starting out or changing careers.