While most professionals have been working remotely for more than a year, it’s likely those aiming to make a career move are facing a fully remote interview process for the first time. In this new virtual journey, candidates must reevaluate how to make a positive, lasting impression, while also determining whether a position and company are a good culture fit. Without the ability to physically visit an office and experience its energy and employee interactions first-hand, how can prospective hires effectively gauge company culture?

The remote environment has brought on many unique challenges for leaders. Guiding teams, leaning into professional development and actively growing in your career all require a renewed focus and intentional approach to be effective. The Jacobson Group was proud to recently partner with Insurance Careers Month (ICM) to share how leaders can continue to thrive during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

At Jacobson, we believe every employee’s contributions matter and impact the success of our organization, clients and candidates. In celebration of Employee Appreciation Day, we’re shining the spotlight on three featured employees. To all of our amazing team members, we want to say thank you for your hard work and dedication throughout the year!

Learn about more of our Jacobson colleagues by viewing past editions of our Employee Spotlight here. For monthly Employee Spotlights, follow our Facebook page.

The past year has brought on many unknowns for job seekers. Adapting to virtual interviews, starting new positions in remote office environments and building connections over video calls are only a few of the ways most professionals have had to step out of their comfort zones. However, despite the pandemic, the insurance industry remains strong.

In today’s primarily remote work environment, professionals have had to adjust how they approach daily interactions. Face-to-face meetings, impromptu hallway conversations, and in-person lunches are relatively nonexistent. Additional effort is required to meet colleagues, build relationships and make an impact in virtual meetings. Even as physical office locations begin to reopen, remote work and virtual interactions will likely continue indefinitely. In these hybrid work environments, it’s important individuals build and maintain consistent personal brands that reflect who they are both in person and on screen.

January is around the corner and most individuals are reviewing their professional goals and development plans for the coming year. In the past, these annual goals may have been linear and inspired by natural paths for career progression. However, the events of the past year have made it apparent the focus should shift to more agile goals and account for a professional reality that continues to blur into personal responsibilities and home life.

We're reaching the end of a year like no other, and it seems like one of the only things that stayed consistent throughout the year is the value of virtual interactions. As you continue to perfect the art of virtual relationships, check out our recent blog post on how to most effectively participate in videos calls, from looking the part to following the unwritten rules of Zoom.

The staff members represented in this quarter's employee spotlight roundup look forward to making more virtual connections in 2021. Learn more about these employees below, and view previous editions of our employee spotlight here. (Did you know you can see employee spotlights on a monthly basis on our Facebook page?)

Welcome to the Age of Zoom! It’s likely your day now includes at least one – if not back-to-back – video calls. The use of Zoom has increased more than any other brand during the pandemic. In this new way of doing business, the ability to make a virtual impression and build relationships through a screen is an increasingly valuable art and a skill to be cultivated.

Mentorships can play a valuable role in all stages of your professional journey. Whether these relationships are developed through formal programs or more casual arrangements, gaining insight and perspective from mentors who excel in certain areas, have navigated similar situations or have overcome comparable challenges is invaluable. Mentorships can provide you with the clarity and confidence you need to make pivotal career decisions, take on new responsibilities or build key skills.

We recently wrapped up the Q3 2020 Semi-Annual U.S. Insurance Labor Outlook Study in partnership with Aon plc. Despite the tumultuous overall economic climate, 83 percent of the study's respondents intend to maintain or increase their staff sizes in the next 12 months. Additionally, insurers are seeing persistent recruiting difficulty.

The corporate employees represented in this quarter's employee spotlight roundup are integral in helping our clients meet their insurance talent needs, whether through our executive search practice, professional recruiting service arm or subject matter experts solution.