Most people seeking an actuarial job will generally initially train to gain fellowship of  either the Institute  or Faculty of Actuaries, by passing a series of examinations. In order to train for fellowship status, actuaries  generally require a degree qualification and minimum grades at A-level, including grade B in mathematics.

A number of universities in the UK offer degrees in actuarial science and there is also a one-year taught postgraduate Diploma in actuarial science. Although a degree in actuarial science is not essential, it can lead to exemptions from some of the fellowship examinations and allow fast-tracking through qualification. It provides a good grounding in the actuarial profession, as well as in other areas, such as accounting, economics and statistics.

Some employers may consider graduates with non-numerate degrees, but candidates must be able to demonstrate a high level of numerical and mathematical ability and understanding.

In addition to good, relevant qualifications, it is important for actuarial job candidates to show evidence of a range of skills including:

Good written and oral communication skills, with the ability to explain complicated information in a simple and concise manner
A high level of numeracy and mathematical ability to absorb and understand detailed statistical data
Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, with the ability to work with colleagues at all levels
A logical and analytical approach with an aptitude for problem solving
An ability to use solid judgement, take decisions and accept responsibility for the consequences
Commercial awareness, with an interest and understanding of business and financial markets
Self-motivation, commitment and tenacity

Competition for actuarial jobs and trainee actuary vacancies can be tough. Previous work experience may be a competitive advantage because it will demonstrate a commitment to and knowledge of the profession

Acumen Resources is a recruitment agency specialising in actuarial & actuary jobs, they are one of the largest actuarial recruitment firms in the world and take great pride in delivering the highest level of service to clients and candidates alike.

Acumen help candidates who are looking for actuarial jobs with everything from CV preparation, presentation, interview techniques right through to joining a new company.

It also involves getting to know clients looking to fill an actuary vacancy and understanding exactly what type of person and ideal skill set they are looking for.

Acumen are extremely successful in matching the right candidates with the right actuarial jobs, this is partly due to having more actuaries in the consultant team than any other recruitment consultancy in the world.

This also means many candidates and clients prefer to use Acumen as they can speak directly to an actuary.

If you are interested in finding out more about how Acumen Resources can help you please get in touch.

Specialist or general?
If your recruitment needs are fairly general then you should look at a broad range of agencies. However, if you are in a specialist industry you should ensure you use a recruitment agency who has expertise in your field.

It is worth asking the agency for details of what experience they have in your industry. Ask if they have they found jobs for other candidates in the same sector, or has anyone in the company worked in that industry themselves?

Speak to someone
The quality of their personnel will reveal a great deal about a recruitment agency, it could also be the difference between finding the right job and not. Staff should be up to speed on the latest vacancies, employment law and any happenings within the industry, most importantly they should fully understand exactly what you are looking to get out of the new position you are seeking.

Everybody loves them
Have previous candidates and clients left testimonials praising the agency? Good recruitment agencies often receive fantastic praise from satisfied candidates and customers, they should also have case studies from successful projects.
 

It’s all in the jobs
Do the agency have many vacancies on their books? How recent are they? A sign of a good agency is one with plenty of available jobs that haven’t been around for very long.
 

Take references
Try and speak to other people who have used the agency, if you ask, the agency will be able to put you in touch with past and current candidates so you can speak to them and get details of their experiences of dealing with them.

If it is a general recruitment agency or an agency you can visit in person you are likely to meet other candidates while you are there, this is an excellent opportunity to talk.

Searching the internet for an Actuarial Job is easy using the online search facility on the Acumen Resources website, simply choose from the criteria on the online search form to find vacancies that match your requirements:

Location
Area of Work
Qualification Level
Actuarial Job Type
Actuarial Job Title
Keywords
Job Reference

You can select fewer criteria to broaden the job search or more to narrow it and produce less, but more refined results.

The online job search results will provide you with details of the vacancy and give you the opportunity to apply online, making the process quick and simple.

Once you have applied, the team of actuarial recruitment specialists will be in touch to discuss the position further and help with the search for a new job.

The specialist team at Acumen Resources can also help by providing free advice on CV presentation, interview techniques and  offering other useful advice to give candidates the best possible chance of succeeding in finding the right position.

If you are looking for an Actuarial Job, get in touch with Acumen Resources to find out more.

It is common to be nervous at an interview for a new job, but there are some common mistakes that can be easily avoided. By taking time to prepare and following simple, basic rules on how to conduct yourself, you will stand a much better chance of success in the interview.

Below are 10 top job interview mistakes.

1. Swearing and using slang language - It seems obvious but people are often unsuccessful in interviews because they used swear words or slang language, so avoid it at all costs, it is important to demonstrate that you have a good ability to communicate verbally without the need to swear or use slang.

2. Telling Jokes - This is dangerous ground in an interview situation, you don’t know anything about the interviewers sense of humour and if they don’t find the joke funny you could be in serious bother and the hope of you being offered the dream job could be quickly fading.

3. Telling long (and probably boring) stories - Try and keep any stories you want to tell as short, punchy and concise as possible, telling long winded stories could bore the interviewer and make them raise questions about your ability to get your point across in a quick and effective manner.

4. Bad presentation - clothing - The interview will be assessing whether you are suitable to be a representative of his company, if you are badly presented (examples being: twisted ties, untucked shirts, dirty shoes etc’) you aren’t portraying yourself in a very professional light and this is likely to count against you when it comes to deciding who gets the job.

5. Mirroring the interviewer - Some people do this without knowing it, but avoid copying the interviewers bodily movements, it can be very unnerving for the interviewer.

6. Giving too much personal information - Any interview will involve discussing personal information, but don’t give away too much, the interviewer doesn’t need to know how much you owe on your credit cards or why your girlfriend has just left you, keep it professional and on-topic.

7. Talking too much - Answer questions in a detailed but concise manner, don’t waffle on too much. Some interviewers will refrain from asking you another question to see if you will carry on talking for the sake of it, if this happens take control of the conversation and say something like “does that answer your question?”.

8. Name Dropping - If you have contacts who you think will impress the interviewer there is no harm in mentioning them, but be careful, too much name dropping can have a negative effect. If you are going to “name drop” proceed with caution.

9. Talking Politics - You don’t know the interviewers political viewpoint, so any discussion about politics is potentially dangerous, unless you are specifically asked, avoid this topic.

10. Facial hair (Men) - Some interviewers may view facial hair as a negative point in terms of your general presentation, to be on the safe side attend the interview clean shaven.

For advice about preapring for an actuarial job interview get in touch with the team at Acumen Resources.

Nowadays many firms use psychometric testing in addition to the more traditional interview process.

Psychometric questionnaires are designed to measure personality, the results are beneficial to both assessors and candidates because they help predict working style and behaviour.

A sample psychometric test is below, it contains questions about what interests you have and how you feel about certain things.

Each question has a numbered scale from one to four. Choose the number that fits you best.

Give only answers that are true for you. Remember, there are no “right” or “wrong” answers, so don’t spend too much time thinking over any one question. Give the first answer as it comes to you.

Although these questions will give you a taster, in a real recruitment or interview situation the questionnaire would be much longer, results may be discussed with you in a feedback session, and other information would likely be taken into account when recruitment decisions are made.

1. If I had my life to live over again, I would:
Live it pretty much as I have (1—2—3—4) Plan it differently

2. If people seem cold and reserved to me, I usually:
Think they’re in a bad mood (1-4) Worry about what I might have done wrong

3. During an argument, I usually:
Stay relaxed and steady (1-4) Feel stirred-up and tense

4. Sometimes you have to flatter people to get them on your side.
False (1-4) True

Add up your responses for your rating:

Between 4 and 8: You’re likely to be confident, relaxed and at ease (low anxiety).

Between 9 and 11: No strong tendency towards either side.

Between 12 and 16: You’re likely to experience being worried, self-critical and tense (high anxiety).

• For more information about psychometric tests visit www.opp.eu.com.

For advice about making a career change speak to one of the team at Acumen Resources, specialist recruitment agency in the actuarial jobs sector.

Acumen Resources are a specialist Recruitment Agency working within the Actuarial Jobs sector.

This means we help actuaries find the perfect new job or career and also assist employers in finding the ideal new actuarial candidate.

The team at Acumen Resources are made up of highly skilled Recruitment Consultants, many of whom have worked as actuaries themselves in the past.

This level of experience means our consultants fully understand the technical aspects and skills required to perform a particular role.

By taking the time to understand the specific needs of both the client and the candidate ensures we match the right people with the right actuarial jobs.

Acumen Resources are one of the most successful actuarial recruitment companies in the world, this success is down to the high level of professionalism and dedication shown both to candidates and clients alike.

If you are considering an actuarial career move and would like free advice on how Acumen Resources can help, please get in touch.

Telling someone that you work as an actuary in the UK, would probably bring the reaction of a blank look. Most people have never heard of the word let alone the work involved. Being an actuary carries quite a reputation since the expertise is renowned for its complexity and mathematical prowess.

Actuaries cope with financial risks and uncertainty, they are problem solvers, business analysts, consultants and financial risk assessors who look at past and present information to develop and communicate a picture of the future.

The actuarial qualification carries with it prestige and esteem. In becoming a member of the Institute of Actuaries (UK), individuals join a small group of professionals who have made a personal commitment to high standards of education, competence and integrity.

In return for this professional commitment, the profession offers attractive and relevant benefits to all members. Key among these benefits are the professional education programmes and networking opportunities that membership brings with it.

Actuaries apply mathematical, statistical, economic and financial analyses and theories to solve a wide range of real business problems in insurance, pensions, investments and banking. Part of their job is to try and predict what money will do when it is invested in insurance, pensions, stock markets or other financial services.

Actuaries are therefore among the most influential professionals in the financial world. A lot of work can be described as ‘risk management’ - assessment of the probability of events and of associated costs, understanding how businesses operate, how legislation may impact and how financial economics can affect values are all vital skills for an actuary.

But what differentiates a actuary in the UK is their core mathematical, economic and statistical understanding and their ability to apply this to real financial problems.
The traditional areas in which actuaries operate are: life and general insurance, investment, consultancy, pensions and enterprise risk management. Actuaries are also increasingly moving into other areas of the financial sector where analytical skills can be employed.

Actuaries have traditionally worked in life insurance, and their role and responsibilities have evolved as life insurance itself has developed external relations. Their traditional areas of activity include designing and pricing contracts, and monitoring the adequacy of funds to provide the promised benefits.

Actuaries employed by life insurance companies in the UK may also provide expert advice on investment, planning and marketing of products, strategic risk measurement and almost any aspect of the work of the company.

There has also been significant growth in the general insurance area of the actuarial profession over recent years. General insurance actuaries are involved in: estimating the reserves for future claims for insurance companies; helping a company identify its management information requirements; rating of insurance products, particularly in relation to classes such as motor and household, where there can be large volumes of data; and advising a reinsurance company on its rates for catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance.

In the area of investment, actuaries are involved in a range of work, such as pricing financial derivatives, working in fund management, or working in quantitative investment research. Often investment actuaries work in fields where their understanding of insurance or pension liabilities helps them manage the investment of corresponding assets.

Actuarial consultancies offer a whole range of services to their clients on issues such as acquisitions, mergers, corporate recovery and financing capital projects. Many also offer advice to employers and trustees who run occupational pension schemes.

In the pensions field, actuaries are usually involved in designing and advising company pension schemes, especially where a value needs to be placed on a scheme’s accumulated pension promises. This could be for a formal valuation of a whole scheme or for an individual’s benefits (perhaps if they want to transfer their entitlements from one scheme to another).

Enterprise Risk Management is the process effected by an entity’s board of directors, management and other personnel, applied in strategy setting and across the enterprise, designed to identify potential events that may affect the entity, and manage risk to be within its risk appetite, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the achievement of entity objectives.

The career of a UK Actuary is both exciting, challenging and rewarding, Acumen Resources are a specialist Actuarial Recruitment Agency who will help find the right candidates the right positions in the right organisations. Get in touch for free, confidential advice and find out how Acumen Resources can make a major difference to your career.

Actuary UK

When you are preparing for a job interview it is important to rehearse what you are going to say. Think about the kind of questions that you are likely to be asked at the interview.
The obvious ones are:

“What interests you about this job?”
“What can you do for this company?”
“Why are you the best person for the job?”

But many people don’t prepare for an interview and can come unstuck when asked these types of questions.

Practice will make perfect, the number one question that catches most people out in an interview, is straight after they’ve sat down,  they’re nervous and they get hit with, ‘Why should I employ you?’ it can cause people to stop in their tracks and catch them totally off guard.

The best way to respond is to give examples of why your skills, achievements and accomplishments both in your personal life and career make you the best candidate for the job. It is also important to read the job description and compare it with your abilities.

Even if you aren’t offered the job, as long as you make a good impression, you’ve got that person to go back to in the future and say, remember me? What’s open now?.

By using a specialist Recruitment Agency to find your next job you will have access to interview training techniques, Acumen Resources are a specialist in Actuarial Jobs, for more information and to find out how we can help please get in touch.

Acumen Resources are now on Facebook, we hope our presence on this popular Social Networking site will enable candidates, staff and employers to interact in a new environment.

Take a look at the Acumen Resources Facebook Page and Become a Fan to join the buzz.