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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (May 25, 1983)
Portland Observer, May 26, 1963 Section II Page 11 Consider the working conditions In considering a career it is im portant to know the working condi tions and how they fit your needs. Among the aspects to be considered are: Overtime work: When overtime is required the worker must be flexible R ick y B ram e in the hours he can devote but there are opportunities for extra pay. Shift work: O n some jobs— such as nursing— hours o f work rotate among the employees. Some jobs in volve split shifts. Environment: Things like noise. smoking, fumes, space, heal or cold, contact with other employees or clients can greatly affect the job. O utdoor work: M any workers are constantly exposed to weather con ditions. Hazards: Hazardous materials. machinery, driving, and dangerous conditions should be considered. Physical demands: Some jobs re quire standing, stooping, lifting, sit ting Be sure you are physically ca pable o f doing the work you select. (Photo: Richard J. Brown) Opportunities in insurance Grassroots News. N . W. — One o f (he mainstays in career planning is insurance, and Ricky Brame is one graduate from the Class o f '69 who uses the field o f insurance as an avenue to the American dream. His company is the Equitable Life Assurance Society o f the United States. " I ’ m a life underwriter who is licensed by the State o f Oregon and I represent the Equitable. We insure life, health, product and disabiility to individuals as well as companies.” Brame says a career in insurance is worth thinking about immediately after high school. " T h e key to the life insurance business is longevity. This will provide you with a good base that will make your work easier. This is an industry one can go into directly out o f high school and be very professional about it .” W hat types o f ingredients are necessary for an individual to write a career policy in insurance? " T h e willingness to work-bard and smart. Also, one would need the ability to talk and make friends with all types of people. Skill-wise, the student interested in insurance should take some business, economics and m ath.” Brame is an independent soul who was attracted to this industry be cause o f the financial challenge it affords its participants. “ I wanted Good first impression vital A good first impression is impera tive when interviewing for first jobs. Company personnel managers ex pect first-time applicants to be nerv ous. so control the visible signs and relax. Remember, interviewers want to find persons who have some con trib u tio n to make to their com pa nies, and are not there to embarrass you. G ree t the in te rv ie w e r by name and with a firm handshake. Be neat and dress appropriately in business attire. D on’ t smoke and don't chew gum. Sit erect and loo k interested. M aintain eye contact with the inter viewer. I f you feel the interview is not going w ell, d o n ’ t let your con cern show. Continue to appear con fident. A p p lican ts must be prepared to respond to g en eral, o pen-ended questions such as, " W h y do you want to work for our company?” or " T e ll me about yourself,” and "B e as specific and b rie f” as possible, tellin g the interview er about your education and related education and related work experiences, making a point o f accomplishments. Fran k responses are im p o rta n t, don’t exaggerate, this could trip you up later in the interview, Job seekers are going to run into interview ers w ho ate " lis te n e rs .” During these sessions, the initiative is with you. Keep the interviewer's a tte n tio n by m entioning qualities that re la te d ire c tly to your b a c k ground and the jo b . A ls o , i f you have paid fo r ali or p a rt o f your school expenses, say so. the flexibility to be my own boss. I don't think I'm the kind o f person who can work a 9-5 job. There is no other business with the kinds o f in come opportunity as insurance. The potential for growth and managerial training is unlim ited.” Brame is a member o f 69 Productions, a small promotional company. " I t mixes well with insur ance. It gives me the chance to meet people to talk insurance w ith .” He says insurance returns have kept up with life in the '80s. "W e take a look at what a person can afford and what his insurance needs are. For those people who are build ing their estate for a price o f a few drinks at a club you can reach this dream. What happens in our community is that people don’t prepare. This is why you don't sec a lot o f rich black widows.” Ricky Brame is part o f the in creasing number o f blacks involved in the insurance business. " I would recommend this business for any student who does not have a career objective at this time. Spend a day around the office. Traditionally, it has been a profession closed to blacks. The doors are opening right now and (here are a lot o f dollars to be made in insurance. You can help yourself and your fam ily if you choose this career. It is very reward ing.” Albertsons OUR MOST IMPORTANT ASSET IS PEOPLE If you are interested in a career with a people-oriented company — Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Oregon offers career opportunities in: • • • • • • Claims Administration Marketing Underwriting Accounting Data Processing Professional Relations Inquiries Welcome — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oregon PO. Box 1271 Portland, Oregon 97207 »
