Alicia
Internal Wholesaler
How would you describe your job to someone who has no idea what you do?
My job is to ensure that financial advisors have the product knowledge to provide their clients with a financially stable retirement. I’m a subject matter expert on our annuities as well as on our competitors’ annuities. My team and I cover a dedicated territory across the nation where we establish relationships with the financial advisors who partner with us. I make on average 50 outbound calls to advisors per day.
What skills do you use most in your job?
The skills I value most in this position are strong communication and time management. I have a fantastic team here and we need to be in sync at all times to make our efforts worth it. For this position, you must be self-motivated to manage your time from start to end. That is where I’m most successful.
How does your job help Symetra’s customers, your coworkers or the company?
My job helps get Symetra’s name out in the industry, whether it’s marketing our brand or providing financial advisors with the materials to sell our products.
What do Symetra’s Core Values mean to you? How do you apply them to your daily work?
I apply Symetra’s values to my everyday work and see these same values in all of my teammates. I’ve never been at a company before where everyone is consistently asking how they can help before you even have to ask, and truly does what is right—EVERY TIME.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in your field?
The best advice I can give is being a wholesaler can be extremely rewarding, but it does require hard work, dedication and focus. If you are self-motivated, have great energy and constantly have a positive attitude, you’ll be unstoppable at this company.
How do you enjoy your time away from work?
I spend most of my time away from work traveling the world. This job gives me the flexibility and support to bring balance to my life.
Shannon
Unit Manager, Customer Service
How would you describe your job to someone who has no idea what you do?
I support a team of over 40 people, and directly manage 14. I organize training for new hires and cross-training for current employees, work with other departments to increase and support collaboration between our teams, provide coaching and guidance, and take escalated calls.
How did you get into your line of work?
Right out of college, I worked for a call center in California. When I moved to Washington years later, I applied for a call center position in my current department and was lucky to be brought on board!
What skills do you use most in your job?
Soft skills and time management skills. I also use puns to help brighten the day!
How does your job help Symetra’s customers, your coworkers or the company?
My department speaks directly with our customers daily, and my job is to provide the tools and support my team needs to provide excellent service (as we promise at the start of every call).
What keeps you at Symetra?
The culture and atmosphere! I feel very lucky every day to work with supportive, friendly and encouraging coworkers. In addition, I truly love helping others succeed, and customer service is where my heart lies. I love what I do!
What would people find most surprising about your job or Symetra?
You can manage a big team of people—even if you’re shy.
Stefanie
Sr. New Business Case Manager
How would you describe your job to someone who has no idea what you do?
I work in the New Business department, which handles all the applications that clients/agents submit when they want to purchase deferred annuity products from Symetra. I review the applications and any additional documents to ensure all state rules and regulations are followed.
What skills do you use most in your job?
Attention to detail and leading by example.
How does your job help Symetra's customers, your coworkers or the company?
I am dedicated to getting my work done quickly and accurately so a client's paperwork can be processed and funds can be applied (or a transfer request can be sent out to the other carrier) in a timely manner.
What keeps you at Symetra?
Symetra's Core Values and the fun team environment. It's always fun to work beside friends.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in your field?
Be a strong student of the business, listen to and learn from those around you, focus and stay dedicated. Voice your opinion and don't be afraid to step out of the box and see the bigger picture of your job description. You'll find you are being noted and rewarded for things you may not even see yourself accomplishing.
What else would you like people to know about you, your job or Symetra?
If you want growth and career opportunities, then Symetra is the place to be. If you want a company that is dedicated to their customers, then Symetra is the place. If you want to come to work and have fun and enjoy what you're doing, then I highly recommend giving Symetra a try.
Sarah
Sr. Administrative Assistant
How would you describe your job to someone who has no idea what you do?
I support the entire Iowa office (and many Bellevue employees) in all aspects of day-to-day working life. I am the point of contact for anything the Iowa office is involved in (meetings, fun activities, visitors to the office) or any questions or issues an employee has. If I don’t know the answer or I am unable to help, then I know who the next best person is to get the situation resolved. I am the first person you will see when you walk into the West Des Moines office and I guarantee you will be welcomed with a smile!
What skills do you use most in your job?
I need to be very detail-oriented, organized and proactive. For example, I often organize catering at both the Iowa and Bellevue offices. Since I am not located in Bellevue, I need to make sure every detail is in place so everything goes as planned.
What keeps you at Symetra?
Symetra genuinely cares about its employees and their happiness while at work. I have developed amazing professional relationships and mentors in both the Iowa and Bellevue offices. I feel like I have grown exponentially due to the encouragement and help from those around me.
What do Symetra’s Core Values mean to you? How do you apply them to your daily work?
This is the first company I have worked for that lives its Core Values every day. The Core Values I find myself applying daily are “We’re swift to serve” and “We’re dedicated to excellence.” I assist my peers with any requests swiftly and take the extra step to exceed their expectations.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in your field?
Make sure you are extremely organized, detail-oriented and great with time management. Your day will never go as you planned, so you need to be flexible with your schedule.
What else would you like people to know about you, your job or Symetra?
I could not ask for a better company to work for, and I truly enjoy coming to work every day. If you want to work for a company that knows how to treat its employees and values all of the hard work that each individual puts in, then choose Symetra!
Edwin
Dir. Content & Forms Management
How would you describe your job to someone who has no idea what you do?
When a customer buys an annuity, they basically entrust us with their money for some form of financial guarantee. In return, we issue them a written agreement that spells out each party’s obligation and legally binds us. My team and I ensure our customers and agents receive the correct contract and other forms to complete the contract package.
What skills do you use most in your job?
Interpersonal skills are important for this role, given that we touch many parts of the organization. In addition, active listening, collaborating to solve problems, and being organized are useful for managing all the daily work. It also helps to be curious and analytical.
How does your job help Symetra’s customers, your coworkers or the company?
The only link the customer has with Symetra after the sale is a piece of paper—the contract. The accuracy of the contract we deliver is critical, as it helps build trust and our reputation with the customer, the agent or advisor and the banks.
What keeps you at Symetra?
Honestly, I would say my team, my colleagues, up, down and across the organization. We really do have people who care for each other, care for the work we do and do the right thing.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in your field?
Come in with an open mind and be willing to soak up information and learn.
What else would you like people to know about you, your job or Symetra?
I make it a point to take the stairs everywhere during the day. I average about 40-50 floors a day at work.
I am the co-chair for the ACORD Life & Annuity Forms and Data Mapping working group. This group is made up representatives from other life and annuity carriers and our main objective is to address form development needs and promote industry standards.
