Summer is here and if you’re like most professionals, you’re planning to take vacation time to relax and recharge. Taking time off is essential for your physical and mental wellbeing, with studies showing vacations not only contribute to job satisfaction and productivity, but also your overall health. Yet, in today’s always connected environment, many professionals find it difficult to truly disconnect from the demands of the office. If looming deadlines, “urgent” emails and unfinished projects tend to infringe on your time away, these nine steps can help you feel more confident unplugging from the office and less overwhelmed upon your return.  

The need for interim talent is only growing. Seventy percent of executives plan to increase their use of on-site contract workers in the next two years, according to Gartner. Insurers are bringing in contractors to help handle heavy workloads, maintain productivity during new technology implementations, serve as subject matter experts in areas where they may lack in-house expertise, fill roles between full-time hires, and much more. As a contract worker, you’re able to benefit from flexibility, the ability to choose your projects, and the potential to gain insight and knowledge from a number of different teams and organizations.

As the school year ends, many new grads are starting their first professional positions. While internships and coursework have built a foundation for the professional world, there can be a steep learning curve for corporate culture and in-office best practices. We asked some of our recruiting leaders for their advice and tips to be prepared and put your best foot forward as you embark on your first role in insurance. Here’s what they had to say: