Snakes and Ladders – Tips for a Successful Actuarial Career

As a recruitment specialist, I have been fortunate to hear why career choices were made, what motivates individuals, what made a difference for them, and what things haven’t worked out.  Here are some of the top tips I’ve learned from successful Actuarial candidates over the years.

Key takeaways

• Career Planning: Regularly assess goals and motivations to ensure alignment with passions and long-term objectives.
• Upskilling: Stay current with industry trends, enhance technical and soft skills to adapt to evolving AI and technology in actuarial work.
• Job Market Awareness: Monitor opportunities and remain flexible in career planning, even when not actively job-seeking.

Consider the wider picture of your career path

Are you where you want to be or at least heading in the right direction?

Whether you're at the beginning of your Actuarial journey, or now fully qualified, it is so important to take time to plan your career and to reassess your direction. Ask yourself:

• What drives you and motivates you?
• What’s changed in your life that means you may have to adapt your plans moving forward?
• Do you like working for the company you work for, or the team you work with?
• Where do your passions lie?
• Are you working in a role that truly sparks your interest and makes your job or career more enjoyable?
• Do you have an idea of where you want your career to go, and is your job supporting that?

When you take time to reflect and consider all these factors it can really help you to focus on your goals.

Upskilling and understanding the bigger picture

Requirements in the Actuarial job market is changing, in particular with regards to fast-moving technology and AI, with new skills requirements emerging.

You are in this for the long haul, so as well as studying for exams and working hard in your role, taking time to develop your skills further, can help you stand out. Ask yourself:

• Do you keep up to date on market developments, industry trends, reading the latest news and hot topics or attending webinars?
• Are you learning how to add value above the basics in your role?
• Can you expand your tech knowledge or learn the basics of some appropriate programming languages? For example, Python, R, Tyche, Remetrica, Igloo, Hx Platform, ResQ, SAS, Excel, SQL, VBA, Power BI.
• Are you a member of any working groups, forums, networking groups?
• Do you have a mentor?
• Do you focus on your soft skills, and have personal awareness about your own capabilities, and where you can improve?

More frequently than not, me and my team are asked by clients for candidates who fit both the technical profile for the job opportunity, but also who have skills such as creativity, adaptability, flexibility, problem solving, and the ability to interact with stakeholders within the organisation or externally. They are looking for a more rounded package.

As Actuaries you are the numbers people of the market, but how you view those numbers, interpret them, and communicate to the relevant stakeholders within the business, is so important for success in many roles.

Being part of the wider Actuarial community, internal company groups and industry groups gives you the opportunity to build relationships with people who are often willing to help and discuss ideas with you.

Keep an eye on the jobs market and be open-minded

Learning about what job opportunities are in the market is so important. Our Actuarial recruitment team at Gravitas, are able to stay up to date on market opportunities, salaries, benefits, bonuses, trends etc… offering advice to our wider Actuarial community, when helping them find a new job.

If you’re not looking for a new job right now, that’s absolutely fine, but understanding what's going on out there is important in your career game plan. That perfect next step may not come along at the exact time you plan it, so knowing where you are heading and keeping an eye out for that opportunity that can get you there, is crucial.

In my experience, finding a new Actuarial job can take longer than your average career move, so keeping an open mind can help you avoid long processes, and really accelerate you forwards.

Can I help you make your next step – now or in the future?

Taking the odd informed risk in your career can ensure that the snakes and ladders game isn’t pure chance – but strategically planned.

If you would like help planning your career, even if it’s not about considering a move right now, but in the future, you can upload you CV here, and we’ll contact you about suitable roles.

Or reach out to me directly and I’ll be happy to advise you.

About the author

Debbie Jackson is an insurance recruitment specialist with over 25 years of experience helping talented candidates find new jobs. Debbie works within the Non-Life Insurance market and has an incredible passion for her market and uses a consultative approach to helping the candidates in her network achieve their ambitions.