Broker Review

My day-to-day job mainly involves assisting other brokers and/or account executives on their accounts in my department. This is mainly done by them giving me tasks to do, and also occasionally shadowing them. I also try to fit in time to study in my less busy periods at work, I tend to aim for once or twice a week at least for an hour or so.

I've learnt how to use the systems we use in our company very well, for both account handling, and filing, as well as placing slips. By shadowing others I learn how they manage to broke to different underwriters, or just even little tips and tricks that they use that I can then use for myself.

I thoroughly enjoy the company culture and my team. I like how team-focused it is, as everyone helps everyone on accounts if needs be, and no one is left to do anything on their own if they don't want to. There's no pressure to perform better than your colleagues in your own team either which is nice.

Most of the time, you have to ask to do stuff or shadow people rather than just waiting to get work handed to you, and sometimes you may have to be persistent about it, which can be quite challenging considering you're new. However, the way the exams are structured is very good. You get the support needed in workshops to complete your qualifications.

My manager supports me the most, and I am not afraid to ask her a question, no matter how many times I've asked before. I do have a mentor, but this was something I had to do myself rather than through my employer. I feel supported more by some than by others, but those I work closely with want to support me as I will be a future asset to their team.

I have a skills coach who I have a call with every 6 weeks (and every 12 weeks is a bigger review so we tend to meet in person.) My skills coach helps me with tasks geared towards completing the apprenticeship scheme rather than my exams, but I do have a workshop every 2-3 weeks for the exam I'm currently studying for.

Getting my DIP CII is crucial to my role, but my experience in doing the job is even more important. So putting these 2 things together means I can perform to my best ability at all times in my job role, and I quite often put what I learn into practice.

I'm part of the Marine under 35s team, and part of the Young professionals network. There are more clubs you can join if you so wish. There is also a gym where I work but you do have to pay for it (£30 a month). We do have big team parties quite often.

Yes

If you complete the apprenticeship, you are guaranteed a job in your team (but can move teams if you wish to do so), and you will have a professional qualification, as well as over 2 years experience in your team and line of business. They pay is also a factor in why it's good.

It's quite a cut-throat process to apply. You're not expected to know much about your job, just as long as you appear as un-nervous as possible, and as friendly and hard-working as possible, you should be fine.