I met with the VP three times. The first time was a sit down social meeting. He asked a few things about me from my resume and where I'm from. He was just trying to see if I was coachable and willing to put in the work to be successful. Then he went into explaining the business and the requirements. The second time he spent time explaining, on a dry erase board, the average hours typically put in one week. Next, he went over the license requirements, which they don't reimburse for the life and health exam you'll be required to take. They do for series 7, but that's if you make it. Anyway, the third time was the most unorthodox to me. He wanted me to come in with a list of leads. We discussed why he should hire me. He went through the commission compensation process. At the end he told me how to get study materials for life and health and how to register for the test (that you pay out of pocket). I asked him how long it typically takes to study, he says about a week (30-40 hrs). So I told him I'd let him know when I pass the test, and that was that. It's been about a week because I'm waiting on the study guide to come in. Then another week of studying and schedule the exam a week later. Based on other reviews of candidates going through the same process, after life and health exam there is the preliminary employment agreement, which means your not contracted but your an agreement to be contracted if you make it through the next 6 months. And, again, from other's experience that 6 months is grueling, cold-calling, quota-making, working your butt off kind of 6 months. Some say 50-60 hrs (even my VP said this) a week. A big network book at hand already is big advantage. I recommend networking events in your area or networking clubs (i.e. BNI). Anyway, also during that 6 months your studying for your series 7 because you don't get contracted until you get that license. And thats a 6-8 weeks studying period. From what I've read there is a quota to be made in the PEA (6mo) and it's 3,000 PCs?? not sure what PCs are exactly but they're something to do with how much commission you need to make, which most of the time starting off your splitting with your management because they are mentoring you and have to do your meetings because you don't know how exactly yet. So double the 3,000. Oh and if you don't get it, then you don't get contracted. Also, something like a 75-100 client base. So there are perks but it seems it definitely takes hard work to obtain them. Some things I question, that I've also read experiences about, is the manager that is saying he's willing to do your meetings for you (my VP said he'd do the 6 months for free but I'm feeling shadiness from it) at split commission is busy too. How is that manager going to have time for your meetings if they have their own meetings all day everyday. So you basically have to figure out your bosses schedule before you can make yours. Some suggestions are to make friends with every manager in the office and make deals for splitting commission because that's they only way they'll help you. I'm not sure why my VP offers to mentor me for free but I feel like it's something that will benefit him in the long run. Not sure if he's getting commission from these respective clients forever from this 6 month period. I also forgot to mention that usually the 6 months PEA is the RGB portion of the process. Basically, your selling retirement packages to faculty in schools around your area. Hence, a lot of driving around/ hard sales. However, I don't think this is the case for me because my VP interviewer has hardly talked about that and has focused our conversation on the leads I have and how I pitched to them about entering the market and gaining their trust. So there's my rant on what I've been through with AXA so far. I think it's a good company to start a career but it seems like the rookie stages are some cut throat rough stuff. But I've been unemployed since out of college (like 9 months) and this is an enticing opportunity. Mainly, because I get skeptical of the companies I interview. I do as well with AXA but there comes a point where your not going to know for yourself until you try it or start somewhere. I think my number one drive is not failing at it, so I'm determined to make it through the first year and the series 7 (that's the main goal).
