Handicaps
A secretarial worker should be able to get about with a fair degree of facility; he should have a personal appearance that is not repugnant to the public with which he is constantly in contact. He should possess physical endurance sufficient to enable him to meet the rather severe strain that secretarial work makes upon a man; and he should possess good hearing and eyesight. An artificial limb would not be a serious handicap providing it did not interfere with getting about too seriously. It is also quite likely that one hand would suffice for the accomplishment of the ordinary tasks of such a position. The main requirement is that a man shall be keen and alert, and that he shall be able to go about his work with vigor and cheerfulness.
PLAN No. 1095. LIFE INSURANCE SALESMANSHIP
There are more than 200 life insurance companies in the United States having their head offices scattered throughout the chief cities in different parts of the country, with branch offices in each of the larger cities in each State, and resident agents located in most towns of importance. In the smaller towns the life agency is often combined with the fire and accident insurance.
Life companies are divided into the “Ordinary” and the “Industrial” companies, and, combined, employ about 125,000 field agents and about 75,000 persons of other capacities such as clerical, accounting, building and general employees, exclusive of casual employees such as doctors, lawyers, etc.
Life insurance has been made nearly mandatory by modern business practice. It has been popularized by adoption in the Army and Navy, as a scientific method of providing for personal dependents. It is in harmony with the trend of modern social, civic, industrial, and financial-betterment movements. It is progressive within itself—constantly devising new services to meet the requirements of the public and thus opening new avenues to its salesmen.
Life insurance salesmanship requires at the outset but a minimum of training, equipment, and capital, and these are being supplied more and more commonly by sales organizations to their members who qualify for the profession.
Opportunity for Advancement
The work affords opportunities for personal advancement by extension of acquaintance and by choice of associates and customers. It is consistent with the attainment of social, civic, and business prominence and financial independence.
Opportunities for promotion to positions as agency managers, superintendents, and field supervisors are constantly presented to those whose ability and experience justify such advancement.
Whole Time not Necessary
Age, experience, and growing clientele become assets of increasing value. There is no “dead line” and a permanent clientele of expanding value can be built up from year to year.
While, of course, the agent physically able to devote full time to the work is likely to succeed best, it is nevertheless true that one physically handicapped may succeed measurably although able to work only part of time daily or weekly. Regular office hours and days are advisable but not necessary.