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Andrew, My first question would be, what part of the shop did you work in? If it was the actual shop repairing vehicles, then you will need to get some estimating experience,(there is a huge difference) possibly at another shop. Most insurance carriers have Estimating Trainee positions, most require a degree to through the door. You can apply to the cat vendors, that will get you on the "list", but no guarantee of an actual job. My suggestion if the degree is an obstacle, go for a shop estimator position. That will give you some experience that may crack a door open that otherwise would be closed with a carrier. Be careful of the vendor schools, like property, they are a profit center for the vendors. Some get lucky, but most just get a certificate and a lot of spare time.

JWG

This is a very similar issue to the other thread.

How is it possible that you worked in a body shop for two years and you don't know any adjusters?

What if I told you I was a greeter at WalMart and I never met any shoppers?

Next time you are in a position to meet people, take advantage of the opportunity.

"I guess im basically clueless right now" and I expect that you will remain clueless.

Go back to the body shop business till you learn to spell check and edit before posting in a public forum asking for help.

Call GEICO. The little lizard guy hires guys with shop experience and no degree to write sheets.

Thanks for your suggestions guys. LeLand I don't work in a body shop anymore therefore I have no connections to adjusters and during that time I met very few since I just did repairs 90% of the time. Chuck Deaton , What are you my English teacher, didn't your mother ever tell you if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all ?

Sorry, we're just mean old farts trying to protect you from the mistakes we made when we were your age.

But you can make up for the fact that you didn't get the business cards of the two adjusters you met at your last job by going out and asking 8 body shops for names of adjusters they know.

It won't be easy- it sounds much easier than it is. But if you do it you could get a career and become an old fart like we are and do what we are doing.

Just remember, your mom wasn't entirely correct when she said "Don't talk to strangers". Every job applicant that gets a job has to talk to a stranger. Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

Tell you what, I'll make you a deal. Get 8 business cards from body shops and photograph them. Send them to me in a private message. Send me your resume. I will call body shops in your city that you haven't already talked to, find leads on insurance companies, and line up at least one interview for you. If you do your part, and I can't get you an interview, I will send you $10.00 cash money.

Hang in there Andrew, if this forum hurts your feelings, wait till you get to working on a storm and these guys are doing everything in their power to see that you go home before them.

I am an auto adjuster, Its not easy to get in, It took me over a year to get my first cat assignment. If you can get a staff gig, take it. Whether you go auto or property, storm chasing is a tough proposition for 75% of the adjusters. Most work sporadically at best, the story tellers will boast of the time they made riches in months, but for most that was an anomaly, not the norm. Check the employment sights, Monster etc, they will have the carrier jobs listed.

JWG