01 Oct 2022
You’ve spent hours researching ‘how to become an actuary’ and now it’s time to put your plan into action. Taking the first step and starting to apply for jobs can be daunting. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back!
In this blog, we’ll give you tips on how to begin your search for a trainee actuarial job (sometimes called an actuarial assistant or a new graduate role).
💭 What’s important to you?
Think carefully about what type of work you enjoy and how you want to spend your working time. Do you prefer the technical side of actuarial work (data and statistical modelling) or the communication side (explaining models and results)? Both are important but some jobs will favour one over the other.
Whatever your strengths and interests, there are lots of actuarial roles out there.
It’s also worth thinking about more general questions: do you want to work for a big multi-national company or a small startup? Are you willing to commute, and if so, how far? Do you want to work remotely or have the option some of the time?
👀 Begin your search.
It can be difficult to know where to start looking. Trainee actuarial jobs are very competitive - companies usually fill roles very quickly so won’t spend a lot of time advertising them.
We recommend taking a look at actuary-specific job boards (like Actuary List) and checking these regularly. You can usually subscribe to job alert emails, so you’ll be the first to know when new trainee actuarial roles are posted.
🔎 Refine your search.
Once you start to get a feel for which actuarial employers are out there, do some background research before applying:
- Browse company careers pages
- See if they have any reviews on Glassdoor
- Check out their LinkedIn profiles
This should give you a basic understanding of the company culture and their ways of working.
📧 Send your application.
You’ve found a role you like, at a company you like. Perfect!
Now it’s time to complete your application. This is usually a cover letter and CV/resume. Some employers will also ask you to complete some short essay-style questions.
Ask a friend or family member to read your application. As well as spotting any spelling or grammar errors, they’ll be able to give you feedback on whether you’re underselling or overselling yourself. Try to emphasise your strengths but always be honest, any white lies will get found out!
👞 Put your best foot forward.
When it comes to interviews for trainee actuarial roles, hiring managers are looking for personality and drive rather than technical actuarial knowledge. You should focus on showing them why you’re passionate about becoming an actuary.
It’s also a great opportunity to show that you’ve done your research. You should be able to explain what you know about that company and what you think the job will involve. A little bit of interview practice goes a long way.
🔁 And repeat!
Chances are, you won’t land your dream trainee actuary job straight away. Keep going, your persistency will pay off!
