BE CAREFUL

Nelson from Ohio in Youngstown, Ohio said: I am looking to make a career change into the insurance business. I have been in sales for over twenty years making a living and able to pay my bills. I am not afraid of work as long as their is an opportunity. My question is...with the advertising that AFLAC does, lead generation must be out there from home office? Because if there wasn't? Then the millions spent would be spent elsewhere! Who is receiving these leads? And are they supplying them to their associates? I was thinking about looking into AFLAC as an option; however, after reading a few of the things about saturating the market, cold calling with no leads, scares me.

NO, they give you leads off of salesgenie.com. They are cold as ice. They will tell you that they give warm leads, but that is NOT true.

Jennifer in Charlottesville, Virginia said: Aflac never offers to reimburse for your license fees or classes. It is your responsibility because they do not require you to be a captive agent. You are free to represent as many other companies as you choose with your license, that is why working for Aflac as an associate is a 1099 career and you are considered self contractors. If you worked for Aflac for three months and only made $250 you only sold maybe 2 policies. If you have a debit it is from ordering items such as business cards or gift items and using your writing number to pay for them. Aflac pays for all of your brochures and selling items...even the shipping. I have been with Aflac for just over one month and have made $345 in commissions. Mind you, this is with very few calls as I spent two weeks sick with pneumonia (but my sickness indemnity policy paid me while I was sick) and I have a debit on my writing number of $30 for business cards and pens. That will be debited from my commission that I am expecting on Monday for an additional $270. With Aflac you make money according to the time and effort that you are willing to put into it. Bottom line, with Aflac just like with life...nothing is given to you..go out and get it! I paid for my pre-license class, my exam, and my license myself and my commission has already more than paid that back.

I am sooooooo sick of Jennifer's posts. All she does is argue that Aflac is heaven on earth. You've been there a month. Wait until you have been there for several months before you keep defending them.

She is right on only one issue. They don't reimburse you for your classes or license. And then you have training in which you don't get paid either! But they do reimburse you in an indirect way when you make your "fast start". They will pay for a box of business cards and I think they gave a bonus.

dccircuitboy in Columbus, Ohio said: I am sooooooo sick of Jennifer's posts. All she does is argue that Aflac is heaven on earth. You've been there a month. Wait until you have been there for several months before you keep defending them.

She is right on only one issue. They don't reimburse you for your classes or license. And then you have training in which you don't get paid either! But they do reimburse you in an indirect way when you make your "fast start". They will pay for a box of business cards and I think they gave a bonus.

Jennifer

Has definitely drank the kool-aid... She needs to wait until she has been around at least a year before making these comments..

dccircuitboy in Columbus, Ohio said: I am sooooooo sick of Jennifer's posts. All she does is argue that Aflac is heaven on earth. You've been there a month. Wait until you have been there for several months before you keep defending them.

She is right on only one issue. They don't reimburse you for your classes or license. And then you have training in which you don't get paid either! But they do reimburse you in an indirect way when you make your "fast start". They will pay for a box of business cards and I think they gave a bonus.

You are correct, I have been with them for only a month. But I have also watched my best friend work for them for the last four years. I have watched her succeed and she now makes a six-figure income and is a district sales coordinator. I have also watched others succeed in Aflac. Not to mention, I did my research before I applied for this position. And guess what...I signed two more accounts today!

dccircuitboy in Columbus, Ohio said: NO, they give you leads off of salesgenie.com. They are cold as ice. They will tell you that they give warm leads, but that is NOT true.

Cold calling is a major aspect of the job. And it can be scary and difficult if you aren't used to it. You can use lead generators like salesgenie, netquote, etc. but they are not guaranteed warm or hot leads. The best leads come from people that you know personally and can get referrals from.

its not a "hoax" mensa--- you have the "opportunity" to be in business for yourself an 6 figures is easy in this business-- your talking about"" no benefits" and you dont get reimbursed for your license-- u need to apply for a job-- this is not for everyone-- try "waffle house"-- them and HOME DEPOT are hiring---

Not interested in working Sales for Aflac yet I get SPAM e-mail all the time from Aflac. I don't have selling skills for the job. If you want to waste everyone's time then that's a different story. I won't stop looking for work in my field and once I find a new job I'm out the door. I don't know if that's helpful or not.

Jennifer in Charlottesville, Virginia said: You are correct, I have been with them for only a month. But I have also watched my best friend work for them for the last four years. I have watched her succeed and she now makes a six-figure income and is a district sales coordinator. I have also watched others succeed in Aflac. Not to mention, I did my research before I applied for this position. And guess what...I signed two more accounts today!

You are really wide eyed. I sincerely doubt that she makes six figures but rather that is what your friends 1099 shows. What she actually makes is what she brings in after deductions. Most people working for AFLAC will average 40,000 -50,000 a year. They would have to write upwards of 300,000 to make six figures. I am not saying that this cannot be done but rather this is the exception and not the norm.... Again that is what the 1099 reflects and not what is actual net profit...

Jennifer in Charlottesville, Virginia said: You are correct, I have been with them for only a month. But I have also watched my best friend work for them for the last four years. I have watched her succeed and she now makes a six-figure income and is a district sales coordinator. I have also watched others succeed in Aflac. Not to mention, I did my research before I applied for this position. And guess what...I signed two more accounts today!

Jennifer, I would love to hear from you and or anyone else for that matter. I am looking to possibly go to work for Aflac. I had a interview with my perspective DSC yesterday.

my email is jhb2006@hotmail.com

benefits guru in louisville, Kentucky said: You are really wide eyed. I sincerely doubt that she makes six figures but rather that is what your friends 1099 shows. What she actually makes is what she brings in after deductions. Most people working for AFLAC will average 40,000 -50,000 a year. They would have to write upwards of 300,000 to make six figures. I am not saying that this cannot be done but rather this is the exception and not the norm.... Again that is what the 1099 reflects and not what is actual net profit...

Um, not exactly. If an agent wrote $300,000 in their first year, the average commissions across multiple product lines is 37.5%, or $112,500.00. Aflac will advance 63% of your total commissio based on AP, so $112,500 X 63% = $70,875.00

The reason I said "in their first year" is because Aflac pays renewals on policies that stay on the books every year...I believe it is between 6 and 7%.

Let's assume, for illustration purposes, that HALF of that $300,000.00 DROPPED off the books (ie the policyholders cancelled). That leaves $150,000.00 that the agent will earn a renewal commission on. Again, I'll low-ball it, and assume 6%, which is $9000 a year, paid in a monthly check.

That's just one year of renewals. Every year, as long as the associate is writing new business and servicing the accounts and policies to ensure that folks are happy and want to keep renewing their plans, the monthly renewals goes up.

Your statement that 'most people working for Aflac will average $40,000 to $50,000 a year" is actually not true. Most successful associates (and who would stay in this job if they WERE NOT successful?) earn over six figures by their 3rd or 4th year.

Now, when you're are talking about 1099 figures and such, you are correct, this is gross income. But folks who are W-2 earners usually describe their income as the gross, not net, so I'm a tad confused as to what you are talking about. ;)

I was in Alac for 18 months and met some really great people. The company is respected and trusted.

The comp plan works in the long run.

If you don't run out of friends and/or out of money you can make a living and help a lot of people.

It's tough now and I will quote a major retail chain." Their loyal customers are running out of money"

This thread has been most interesting. Sales is hard for some and easier for others. It is indeed the individual, not the company, for the most part. I have had much success in sales. I've sold products that did not know much about, but I do know a lot about people. I am an extrovert, confident and I am very comfortable with all types of people. Years ago, I sold life insurance for a major company and a couple small companies. It was very easy for me to get 10 appointments and 2 sales. I was good on the phones, but I hated working evenings alone. I've since done other things.

A couple years ago I got hired or accepted by AFLAC. Even though I really liked the company, I wasn't ready to go forward. I think to be successful, some door to door has to be done and I was not ready. Also, I still hated working alone. Fast forward, I got married. My husband is a hardworking in-home salesman for a major chain. He's an introvert trying to look like an extrovert...lol He's thick skinned, good at putting out fires, but no real good sales skills. He's more an order taker and script talker. When I hear how he does his sales calls, I cringe...lol However, he likes and is very comfortable going door to door, doing a short intro script, and asking for an appointment or whatever. People like him because he does not pressure them. Unfortunately, that also means he misses some sales that require a little pressure.

We have played around with the idea of partnering up and combining our skills to do AFLAC. I would be the closing partner. He would be the support partner. Together we would go door to door. Our different skills would make a workable combination.

BTW, there's a very important component missing from a career as sales with AFLAC and that is a taskmaster. AFLAC will not monitor, question or push you to get appointments. You are truly on your own schedule, etc. Some of us need taskmasters to keep us focussed.

The last paragraph is BS. They will not support you if you aren't out there every day. And when you start they want you to keep a record of your stops. I don't know where you got your information, but it's wrong!

sounds like a good business decision dc-- why would anyone support you IF your not out there on a daily basis an trying---- sounds like you would be a waste of time to work with if your not out their working.. your dsc has more important things to do than work with your whining arce------ hope you got out of that business befor e you corrupted the others

dccircuitboy in Columbus, Ohio said: I am sooooooo sick of Jennifer's posts. All she does is argue that Aflac is heaven on earth. You've been there a month. Wait until you have been there for several months before you keep defending them.

She is right on only one issue. They don't reimburse you for your classes or license. And then you have training in which you don't get paid either! But they do reimburse you in an indirect way when you make your "fast start". They will pay for a box of business cards and I think they gave a bonus.

dc-- you are so chronic------

dc--- you are so chronic--- hope that best buy gig s working out for u these days-------- with the recession an everything------- CHANGE YOU CAN STEP IN..

Figures a redneck in Mobile throws out an Obama reference. Stay classy, my friend. Actually, I have found a much better job, and I am making more money. And for your information, it's a STEADY income.

And take a grammar lesson. It is "you" not "u" and "gigs" not "gig s". It is good to not call out people when you can't spell or can't speak English.

oh, and it's "you're" not "your". Bet you never finished your college education.

glad you liked the obama jab --- always love it when new agents bellyache about the leads being cold------ but its always good to call out a whiner--- --- ---- glad you have found a STEADY income--- straight commission is not for everyone..but i do appreciate the grammar an english lesson

[ hi I am Mister Funny Well the million dollar question . Are you making a good decision by going to an interview with AFLAC ? Let me tell you about myself . I wont be a broken record like everyone else and I am very blunt , I don't know you so I don't care but in person I am the nicest guy you will meet . Everyone seem's to still be confused and give questionable advice except for the guy's that got screwed and the lazy guys arnt lazy they are not sucker's though :( I see a few guy's I could make a buck off of lol . Do not listen to the pyramid scheme type sucess stories of AFLAC that duck dont use vaseline he will get a running start stick it in and snap it off . You will pay to be your own agent and you can bust your ass 80 hour's a week and make more at Burger King!!!! this is true AFLAK is a great very sucessful company to work for and does treat thier customers great but who cares im out for myself I dont care who they helped and I never cried if i wanted to help people I would work nonprofit which is what you are doing with AFLAC . They have 10 time's over exausted your resources and you would have to work for a company with cheaper rate's to undercut AFLAK to steal thier big corperate customer's to make money but good luck . churche's , companies door to door calling the hell out of people ? lol good idea but these people are wore out as you will be! I have been in sales for 13 years and I will screw you in a heartbeat and i dont care how broke you will be or how big your family is you should have pulled out because here I come lol. And to be successful in this insurance game it is how you have to be . Tell the people everything they want to hear to get your cut and then slip off like a crook in the night. your only chance is take advantage of thier advertisment and work out of thier office the suckers will come to you and if you cant screw people outta thier hard earned cash insurance isnt for you!Stand them up on the interview , go fishing !!!!

Jennifer in Charlottesville, Virginia said: A pyramid is designed so that the majority of your income comes from other workers. With AFLAC you are not working a pyramid. You work for yourself and you get ALL of the commissions from your sales UNLESS you voluntarily pull someone else in to work that account with you. If they work that account with you, then you split the commissions, usually a 70-30 or 60-40 split with you getting the higher number. The reason for that is simple: If they do part of the work they should get paid too. If you do happen to bring someone into the company you get the 5% incentive, which Laurie spoke of. That is to insure that you are vested in the success of the person that you bring in. Simply put, if you bring someone to a career and you see that they are having difficulty it is very easy to say "Oh well I'm not sinking." BUT if you are vested in that person's success, let's just say with a 5% deal, then you are more likely to help them when they stumble. However, that 5% is paid by AFLAC completely...NOT from the person you bring on so it does not qualify as a pyramid. =)

lol nice

Laurie in Portland, Oregon said: I am guessing you have never been an independent representative before or owned your own business because everything you said that was negative to you, like you don't get paid when you don't work...is exactly how it is when you own your own business and AFLAC is really your own business. You can make as much or as little as you want. Employers want their employees to have the best benefits available and employees want to get back their copays and to get money when they are in need..money that THEY decide what to do with, not that goes to the dr or anyone but the needing person..food, gas, rent, mortgage..diapers formula...chemo, medicine.

I do agree that 7 hours of a presentation would be really long..that is not how it is done here nor in any other states where I have many people in my team.

The product is really awesome! and the financial opportunity is second to none!..The personal stories will make you cry when you learn how many people, and I am betting,even some people you know, have been helped by receiving money from AFLAC.

I think that you made the right decision for you when you left because it seems like you would not be happy working the hours that YOU chose, making the kind of money YOU chose with no limits and providing a product that truely changes peoples lives!

Let me know if you have an specific questions I can answer about working for AFLAC and the products they offer.

Good luck in you career search!

lol I like your approach as well lol

Jennifer in Charlottesville, Virginia said: Hello Laurie! I am a new agent and I am very excited about my career choice. I am fully licensed already and have been through the Smart7 business school training. I am still in Smart7 weekly classes and I am working in the field with my district sales coordinator, as well as my regional coordinator, and some other agents. I have done some calls on my own too. I was wondering if you have any specific advise for a new agent. =)
Jennifer

any work your own hours from home dream is exactly what it is a dream unless you can do websites or computer work , If you want to work from home get a real job long enough to draw unemployment because any billion dollar company that expects you to pay them to work for them is laughing too because you are thier insurance policy that covers thier losses so Come see me instead i am a salesman out there somewhere so be carful lol while your giving your money away ill take sum and these sucess stories are what you need to take note of if you want to recruit suckers but never let them know where you live some of them get crazy and never meet anyone you screw outta thier hard earned cash at the same place twice jus an fyi so good luck and to the hub

Laurie in Portland, Oregon said: I am guessing you have never been an independent representative before or owned your own business because everything you said that was negative to you, like you don't get paid when you don't work...is exactly how it is when you own your own business and AFLAC is really your own business. You can make as much or as little as you want. Employers want their employees to have the best benefits available and employees want to get back their copays and to get money when they are in need..money that THEY decide what to do with, not that goes to the dr or anyone but the needing person..food, gas, rent, mortgage..diapers formula...chemo, medicine.

I do agree that 7 hours of a presentation would be really long..that is not how it is done here nor in any other states where I have many people in my team.

The product is really awesome! and the financial opportunity is second to none!..The personal stories will make you cry when you learn how many people, and I am betting,even some people you know, have been helped by receiving money from AFLAC.

I think that you made the right decision for you when you left because it seems like you would not be happy working the hours that YOU chose, making the kind of money YOU chose with no limits and providing a product that truely changes peoples lives!

Let me know if you have an specific questions I can answer about working for AFLAC and the products they offer.

Good luck in you career search!

lol so how long have you been recruiting im in it for the money not to help people you could be a good salesman somwhere else or are you the CEO lol

I've had one interview with AFLAC. I contacted them, initially. I'm going for a 2nd interview tomorrow. The staff is very upbeat, positive, jolly. I have mixed feelings about it. For one, after over 25 yrs in sales/customer service, I left, saying I'd never go back. I also did outside sales before, so I know how the cold calling works. Then I worked in my life-long dream of the mental health profession, and got canned suddenly. So now I'm out here again. Do I, or don't I? I like everything about this AFLAC except for one thing: The leads/cold-calling. I'm not motivated enough to want to seek them out. I love people, can meet anyone on the street and start conversation, very good communication skills, negotiator, closer, and understanding of others feelings. But the thought of this market terrifies me. It appears saturated....I can't stand competition or being given quotas, but they said there are no quotas. Only good thing about it is that I can still draw my unemployment while I "trained". But where's the money gonna come from for the training, the test and the new laptop?

So, that's where I am. I don't have to take it, but the only other options right now are $10 hour jobs, so far. Rats, this is difficult. Reading the pros & cons. Well, I won't jump in until I have complete peace about it.

Arkie: I can sympthasize with how tough the job market is out there, but let me honest with you: if you 'can't stand competition' and are 'terrified' you will not make it selling Aflac products. The company is good; they pay their claims, and honestly try and do the right thing...BUT. The competition is FIERCE. You have to walk, talk, eat, sleep and breathe sales. Otherwise, you will fall flat on your face. I wish I had better news for you, but this is the God's honest truth. Straight commission sales is not impossible, but it's also not easy. You have to be willing to do whatever it takes (within legal and moral boundaries, of course) in order to win the appointment, and then the sale.

Why not look for something that pays a base salary and then commissions on top of that?

I agree, you have to have a burning desire to achieve if you are just beginning a career commission sales.

It's law of the jungle in these times.

MDP

Thanks Janis and Micheal. I had my 2nd interview and meditated over it this past weekend. I just don't have peace about it. I think back to all the times in the past when I tried so hard, yet never seemed to "measure up". The only time I felt self-fulfilled was when I taught horseback riding and when I worked in mental health doing crisis assessments. Really helping people. I called the Aflac office and let them know I just wasn't comfortable nor was I 100% sure about it. So now it's back to the drawing board. I have an interview for a mental health job, I pray it goes well. Thanks for the information.

hi

I'm going in to the info session today, just thinking i am going to just get info but from reading everyone's posts - this "info session" is really disguised as a 1st interview?

Janis Smith in New Haven, Connecticut said: Um, not exactly. If an agent wrote $300,000 in their first year, the average commissions across multiple product lines is 37.5%, or $112,500.00. Aflac will advance 63% of your total commissio based on AP, so $112,500 X 63% = $70,875.00

The reason I said "in their first year" is because Aflac pays renewals on policies that stay on the books every year...I believe it is between 6 and 7%.

Let's assume, for illustration purposes, that HALF of that $300,000.00 DROPPED off the books (ie the policyholders cancelled). That leaves $150,000.00 that the agent will earn a renewal commission on. Again, I'll low-ball it, and assume 6%, which is $9000 a year, paid in a monthly check.

That's just one year of renewals. Every year, as long as the associate is writing new business and servicing the accounts and policies to ensure that folks are happy and want to keep renewing their plans, the monthly renewals goes up.

Your statement that 'most people working for Aflac will average $40,000 to $50,000 a year" is actually not true. Most successful associates (and who would stay in this job if they WERE NOT successful?) earn over six figures by their 3rd or 4th year.

Now, when you're are talking about 1099 figures and such, you are correct, this is gross income. But folks who are W-2 earners usually describe their income as the gross, not net, so I'm a tad confused as to what you are talking about. ;)

Why do these Aflac peopel boast their big salaries and not account for taxes??? 1099 takes about half away from all of your commissions. Get serious folks. Don't come on here and crunch numbers to show that you can make $100K and not throw in expenses and tax. You're supposed to business owners right??? Start acting like one. You may get $150,000 in top line revenue in the form of commission, but your net income is probably around $40K.

I wish we could do a study on how many Aflac reps over-extend themselves.