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joshua79109
USA
4 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2003 : 15:57:08
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Hello all my name is Joshua C Bullard. I have my license in Texas and I'm Farmers certified. I can use Xactimate. I have put in with every company I can find. I have come to the conclusion that the only way to get anywhere is to find a mentor. Please consider me. I have a construction background. I was in the Marine Corps and earned an Honorable Discharge. I am a very hard worker. I just need a way in. Thank You
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Joshua C Bullard joshua79109@yahoo.com j.bullard@cox.net (806)584-9241 |
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trader
USA
236 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2003 : 10:59:06
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You may need to partner up with a high production roof climber and stay in the van/estimate/center and work for something like 25% of HIS/Her commision, they will be able to expose you to the Vendor/Company and the next year you could be on your own name. |
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caddodream
USA
12 Posts |
Posted - 07/15/2003 : 10:18:44
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Joshua,
I am new trying to break in as well, I would like to share with you some of the things I have done to "break in" as well that seem to be producing at least good contacts and exposure.
If you are not working a regular job you might try contacting FEMA or Texas Department of Public Safety Emergency Management and getting on the "reservist list". It's based on deployment too, and is just disaster assesment to under or un-insured public, but it would put you at the storm, near other adjusters, fellowship may be a key, right place right time. The pay is between 12 and 18dls an hour, but being paid to help dis-advantaged, as well as making contacts that could be your way "in".
If you have any traits (uncommon) like bilingual, or signing for the deaf, or familiarity with boats, or barns or I beams, list it. The extra little assets I have for speaking Spanish and volunteering disaster for the Red Cross, I believe was more impressive to my resume than my structural-general contract assets. I have become state certified and evaluated for deployment by a large company and am taking Integra cert training online today.
Now, saying that I am probably way down at the bottom of the list, so I have applied for temp work at the call centers for insurance companies. And in case I don't get called out for Claudette, I re-activated with Red Cross to volunteer...(I have done this on all disasters for 10 years) putting me at the storm. But this time its a little different, after volunteering all day, I might end up at the hotels offering to run errands, do data entry, or laundry for that matter.
The one thing the "mentors" have taught me is that we have to put in our time....and help the ones who take us under the wing...
Get rich quick is for the Lottery and that twice removed Uncle Harry who died and left us a fortune. Movie stars waited tables, politicians carried the mail....others started out in the garage....I will be thankful for getting to hold the ladder....:)
Maybe this is of little or no help, but I am sharing this with you because someone else shared it with me....yes it is dog eat dog....but maybe if you broke in before I did you could help me too some day. If you start to get discouraged, just channel that energy back to creative....
Good Luck, and let us all know if you get called out, or if anyone adopts you. (be sure and check with Mentor first) he might get flooded with more requests!!! |
American Red Cross Chapter needs your support. |
Edited by - caddodream on 07/15/2003 10:30:16 |
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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
Posted - 07/15/2003 : 11:56:20
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Patty, I just felt compelled to say that your last post was very insightful, nice, and probably quite useful to others. |
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joshua79109
USA
4 Posts |
Posted - 07/15/2003 : 15:47:35
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Patty, Thank you for your wonderful advice. I have found a mentor. He works for Pacesetters. His name is Gary Mohr. He is a prior service Marine, like myself. I am currently in Jefferson City MO. I am working wind and hail on a cat site. I believe you are right on with your comments and I appreciate them. Where are you at on your trip to becomming an adjuster? I would appreciate any other advice you or anyone else has. Email me, we can try to exchange ideas. Thanks Joshua |
Joshua C Bullard joshua79109@yahoo.com j.bullard@cox.net (806)584-9241 |
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caddodream
USA
12 Posts |
Posted - 07/16/2003 : 01:51:03
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Joshua, Great News! Glad you found your mentor! My persistance paid off a little today. Going out as a reservist on Friday, final destination unsure, but it looks like Port Oconner, Matagorda Bay area. I will mostly be doing what I did for Red Cross, disaster assesment team, but yahoooo!!! I am actually going to get paid for basically the same thing I have done for years as a volunteer. If nothing else it puts me at the storm site, and 8-12 hour days. I am going to persue getting some data entry work for the adjusters in the evenings, after a week or two of that I should have the two operating systems down pat. I am hoping it will be easier to hook up with a Mentor while I am there. The company I contracted with should have a strong presence there, and I am going to concentrate on those adjusters. "Dance with the one who brought you to the dance"
I will have my hands full, but my contractor wanted me to have some Integra experience before they opened the flood gates. So for anyone reading this, headed south, using Integra, and maybe you No Habla Espanol...or even if you do...I am at your service. My resume is posted for contact info. Congratulations Joshua! |
American Red Cross Chapter needs your support. |
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Kelley
USA
26 Posts |
Posted - 07/16/2003 : 16:12:06
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Joshua, Glad to hear you found someone to work with you. Pacesetters has a good training school, should an adjuster complete the school show a future in adjusting then they will find work with Pacesetters.
Adjusting does not have a true apprentice field but at times it sure would be helpful. It is hard on some adjusters out there working claims to take a trainee... some ppl are just not natural teachers. When you have not worked for months and have hungry mouths at home to feed & bill collectors to get off of your back it is also hard to slow down enough to give proper direction. Sometimes it is not that the adjusters who have been around for a few don't care, it is just that life has a different set of demands for each individual.
Best of Luck, from what I recall Gary will give you some good training. |
One persons dream is another persons nightmare. |
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joshua79109
USA
4 Posts |
Posted - 07/17/2003 : 06:24:17
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Kelley,
Thanks for the info. I have never seen it from that side and that does make sense. I finally feel like I'm getting somewhere. Once the work stops I am going to go to the Pacesetters school. I appreciate any other suggestions you or anyone else might have.
Thanks to everyone who has had suggestions so far. Joshua
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Joshua C Bullard joshua79109@yahoo.com j.bullard@cox.net (806)584-9241 |
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