I’ve had several conversations over the past few months with independent claims adjusters looking for a different role. It started when a friend, Roberta Mike, invited me to her Workers’ Compensation Career Mentorship Group on Facebook that has over 1000 members. Many of them are P&C (property, auto, etc.) staff or independent claims adjusters.
There are apparently two challenges in that line of work.
The first is that work can be sporadic, especially if they’re focused on serving policyholders impacted by floods or tornados. Chasing catastrophes is often not a consistent source of work and income.
The other challenge has a direct connection to workers’ compensation – making a difference. Helping someone repair a house or car that was damaged by an accident or weather can be fulfilling as that life disruption has many ripple effects. However, an even more compelling way to make a difference is helping an injured worker navigate a complex system during a very difficult time in their life. Reduced income, uncertain medical future, loss of comradery with their work friends, and other components of an occupational injury create anxiety and confusion. It also creates an opportunity for an individual to make a significantly positive difference in another individual’s life.
Roberta’s suggestion, which I’ve helped underscore a handful of times, is to leverage their P&C claims experience to transition to an even more noble purpose. They are used to making people whole. Rather than putting a roof back together, put a life back together.
However, a strange thing can happen during that transition. When applying for a claim’s professional role in workers’ compensation, they’re often told their experience is not applicable. The work comp system is apparently so different in the minds of hirers that it’s an apples to oranges comparison. I’ve overheard and observed opportunities denied or delayed due to a lack of “relevant experience.”
My question is … Why is a seasoned P&C claims adjuster a less desirable option than hiring someone from college who has zero experience in work comp? It seems to me that claims experience, albeit in a different payer situation, would be a huge head start for training on work comp.
I have been making the argument for several years that to overcome the empty seats, we need to be more creative where we find the next wave of talent. Following is a short list that I’ve been proposing:
- Evaluate every job description to ensure the educational requirements are not overstated (does every job really require a college degree).
- Soften the automated evaluation of CVs and LinkedIn profiles (many candidates never get evaluated by a person because they are ruled out by technology).
- Create a broader search criterion (NAAIA, HIRMA, AAIN, community / junior colleges, vocational schools, high schools).
- Recruit from other industries (nurses in hospitals, social workers, people in retail with strong customer service skills).
- Don’t forget there is an older generation with expertise and experience who might be open to rejoining the workforce.
- Focus on “durable skills” (professional capabilities like teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, flexibility, empathetic listening) then teach them the “hard skills.”
Now I would like to add one more option … non work comp claims adjusters.
We have supported their interest here at WorkCompCollege. One individual became a WC claims adjuster, following months of rejections, shortly after graduating with her WRPA. Several other students are in-progress, and we are continuing our outreach.
Bottom line … Don’t be an “Einstein” (same thing ≠ different results). Be an Einstein (“a body in motion moves at a constant speed in a straight line unless acted on by an outside force”). Be that “outside force” by thinking, and acting, differently.
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This article authored by Mark profoundly resonated with me, reflecting my own journey within the workers’ compensation realm. Let me delve into my personal experience, as I find myself among those individuals addressed in Mark’s insightful piece.
Initially, my aspiration was to work within workers’ compensation. However, over a decade ago, I allowed myself to be diverted due to my existing contacts in the property sector. Despite finding success as an adjuster and file manager in property and flood, I felt a persistent pull towards aiding individuals in crisis. While their struggles may not always involve physical injury, the losses they endure – whether of possessions, cherished memories, or a sense of security – are undeniably profound. This compelled me to utilize my soft skills to assist individuals facing crises.
Transitioning into the workers’ compensation arena felt like a natural progression after years in the field working with people on their worse days. Yet, I soon realized that the titles I held did not necessarily align with the prerequisites of entry-level positions in workers’ compensation. Recognizing this disparity, I made a deliberate effort to educate myself, obtaining my AIC certification to lay a solid foundation.
However, I soon discovered that theoretical knowledge alone wasn’t sufficient for the complexities of workers’ compensation. Pursuing further education through the WRP certification, I aimed to bridge the gap between theory and practical application.
It was during this time that I encountered a glimmer of hope. I had the opportunity to speak with an exceptional recruiter from a prominent company seeking talent for their workers’ compensation division. My excitement soared at the prospect, only to be met with a disappointing realization: the recruiter stated that my lack of prior experience in WC claims hindered further progress. They highlighted a disparity in skill sets, noting my experience working with “property” but not directly working with “people”
At that moment, I felt utterly deflated. Despite my diligent efforts, I was confronted with the harsh reality that I lacked the qualifications to enter an area where I had previously thrived as an adjuster and file manager. The realization was truly devastating. I had meticulously prepared for this juncture, setting aside savings in anticipation of potentially needing to accept an entry-level position—knowing full well that it would mean a significant reduction in income. I had invested countless hours in training, acquiring new skills, and refining existing ones to align with the demands of the new field—all of which required financial support from those very savings. And yet, after all this preparation, I was informed that direct experience in workers’ compensation, not simply claims management, was the prerequisite for transitioning into the desired role. Take a moment to let that sink in.
Paying for education, tapping into savings to cover monthly expenses while managing a home, farm, and family, transitioning from being a business owner to an employee, and accepting a significantly lower monthly pay—all of this was part of my journey to transition into the field where I truly belonged. Yet, despite my efforts, I found myself confronted with the disheartening reality that the necessary skills weren’t there as expected. Instead, I was advised to seek employment with a company that would allow me to continue in my current role as a property, flood, and file manager. The hope was that by proving my worth in this capacity, I could eventually earn the opportunity to transition into a workers’ compensation position within a year or so.
That moment marked a significant low for me, one that words struggle to fully capture. Disheartening doesn’t quite encapsulate the depth of my emotions at that juncture. However, it also became a turning point. I made a firm decision: I was going to break into this field, no matter the obstacles. I committed to obtaining my WRP certification as quickly as possible, maintaining an excellent GPA as a testament to my dedication when faced with challenges. I resolved to find a company willing to take a chance on me and my skills. And as I move forward in my career, I am determined to collaborate with the very same recruiter on projects aimed at demonstrating to their company the value they’ve overlooked—the value of a determined, talented, organized professional who possesses both the skills and the passion to excel in this field.
I extend my gratitude to Mark for shedding light on the challenges faced by individuals like myself, and I genuinely hope that your readers can recognize the multitude of individuals like myself who are eager to make a meaningful difference in this field. If anyone has questions or seeks support, I invite them to join our Facebook groups. Inspired by my experience with mentor Roberta Mikes’ Workers Compensation Career Mentorship group, I’ve initiated my own community here in Illinois dedicated to individuals striving to enact positive change: the Illinois Workers’ Comp Network and Career Group.
Thank you for your heartfelt comments and transparency. Your struggle was part of my inspiration for telling this story and hopefully getting the attention of WC industry decision-makers / hirers. I know from our discussions that you have a dogged determination that will not accept “no” for an answer. I’m so glad that you chose to invest in yourself with the WRP curriculum and I’ll do whatever I can to help you get the invitation to our Work Comp ecosystem that you deserve.