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
»