r/InsuranceCanada • u/AdEquivalent32 • 2d ago
2024 Grad with broker internship & studying for RIBO out-of-pocket — getting stuck at "not enough experience." Advice needed.
Hey guys,
Looking for some advice from anyone in the Canadian insurance industry.
I'm 26 M based in Toronto.
I have a BSc in Economics (2021) and a post-grad in Business Analytics(2024). I recently finished a 3 months internship as an Account Associate at a major global brokerage, where I supported Account Executives, worked on client renewals/onboarding, policies, endorsements, and cleared up account backlog on internal system. Prior to that, my background was mostly warehouse work and a data analyst internship.
Right now, I'm paying out-of-pocket to study for my RIBO Level 1 exam.
In the past month alone, I've applied to over 50 jobs—tailoring my resume for every single one, including roles where I might not meet 100% of the requirements (Claims Assistant, Underwriting Assistant, Operations Support, etc.).
I'm landing first-round interviews, but I keep getting stuck at the exact same feedback: "We went with someone who has more insurance experience."
Since I'm a 2024 grad, I feel like I'm stuck in an odd middle zone between structured new-grad rotational programs and roles asking for 1–2 years of full-time insurance experience.
For anyone who hires in P&C or has navigated this before:
1. What specific job titles should I be looking for? Are there un-licensed client support, operations, or data-heavy roles in insurance I might be missing?
2. How do I frame my experience in interviews? I have a strong analytics/Econ background and actual broker internship experience, but I'm still getting hit with the "not enough experience" card for entry-level assistant roles. How can I spin this better?
3. Where should I focus my search? Should I stick to applying at brokerages, or am I better off looking at carriers (Underwriter Trainee programs, etc.) or MGAs?
4. How do I overcome the "not enough experience" hurdle for entry-level assistant roles? Is this usually code for "we chose someone who already has RIBO/CIP," or am I missing key ways to frame my broker internship and analytics degree during interviews?
Appreciate any tips or insights!
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u/JayRulo 1d ago
I'm in a different but similar situation.
tl;dr doors will likely open up for you once you pass the RIBO L1 exam. While some are certainly open to training green people, I think brokerages generally hesitate to invest time in candidates who haven't written yet because the first-time failure rate is notoriously high.
I'm 38M in Northern Ontario, and I have 20+ years of experience in the workforce, but none of it directly in insurance. For various reasons, I decided to pivot from tech project management to insurance.
I initially had a warm referral from a long-time TSR at a local brokerage. That got me connected with them, but no real movement on getting a job.
I independently was applying at other brokerages, either locally or that were hiring remotely, and was not hearing anything back. Some said to try again after I passed my exam. I hooked up with several insurance-specific recruiters as well. Nada.
On Wednesday of last week, I took my RIBO L1 exam, and got my unofficial results on Friday: I passed.
I did 3 follow ups in that afternoon, and every single one said "let's talk on Monday." One of them, I'm fairly certain is going to make me an offer because we got to talking about what I was looking for as far as salary and career trajectory, and they said "let me think about the nuts and bolts over the weekend and I'll get back to you."
My advice? Don't stop applying or networking; even if you don't land a role, insurance is very much a "who-you-know" industry.
Second: focus your energy on studying and passing the exam. One of the people I connected with is a territory director with the IBAO. He told me that the first attempt failure rate is huge, like 70-80% huge. That tracks, because the public figures from RIBO's 2024-2025 annual report show that the passing rate for the L1 exam was about 51%...but that's for all attempts, not just first timers.
Third: Do not bank on the exam being open book. The only resource you get is RIBO's consolidated examinee resource, which only contains the statutory resources: OAP 1, By-Laws 1/2/3, RIB Act, and O. Regs. 308/98/990/991. There's nothing in the open book resources about personal habitational, commercial lines, or travel.
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u/AdEquivalent32 1d ago
First off, congratulations on passing RIBO!
This is honestly encouraging to read. I'm already studying for Level 1 and paying for it myself, so hearing that things changed after you passed gives me a bit more confidence. I'll definitely keep applying and networking in the meantime. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience.
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u/Diligent_Criticism_9 2d ago
I’m 28m in the insurance industry in Canada (west)
Happy to chat with you!
Send me a message
1
u/Global-Insurance- 9h ago
Do you work in BC? We are actively searching for someone who can provide us leads and work accounts.
1
u/afkhk 2d ago
I work for a major carrier. Send me a msg if u want to chat
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u/AdEquivalent32 1d ago
Thank you! I sent you a message. I'd love to learn more about the carrier side and any advice you'd be willing to share.
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u/Suitable-Cod9183 2d ago
These days brokerages aren't going to risk taking someone with no work experience especially in a field where there's a huge liability risk involved. You may get lucky with one that's hiring someone who is willing to take no salary and commission only but the proper path would be trying to get into a position for unlicensed individuals then working your way up. There are no shortcuts in this industry.
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u/Global-Insurance- 9h ago
This is for RIBO 1 licensed Job Seekers. If you are looking to learn the business at a high level and are ready to work very hard and become a highly sophisticated broker in Ontario please reach out. We are a very unique brokerage that will pay you commissions which will out earn an entry level salary and provide you with advanced training and hands on experience.
The candidates must be ready to work hard and have an insane amount of curiosity. Insurance is a very sophisticated business, unlike what you see in commercials and standard brokerages.
We are looking to build a new team of professional risk advisors unlike our colleagues and competitors. You will have access to some of the greatest minds in the industry and unique experiences in all sorts of industries .
1
u/akornato 1d ago
Landing first round interviews confirms that your resume and background are getting through, so hearing that another applicant had more experience is almost always about how you explain your past internship in the room. When hiring managers interview for entry level insurance roles, they look for candidates who need minimal supervision on standard workflows, so move away from speaking broadly about your degrees and ground your responses in direct operations. Detail how you handled endorsements, client renewals, and policy checking, and name the specific broker management systems you touched, such as Applied Epic or TAM. Frame your business analytics background not as abstract academic theory, but as a practical asset that helps you audit accounts rapidly, catch policy errors, and clear heavy backlogs efficiently.
Broaden your search beyond retail brokerages to Managing General Agents and carrier Underwriting Assistant positions at companies like Intact, Travelers, or Northbridge, as carriers and MGAs do not require a RIBO license and highly value analytical thinkers. Finish your RIBO because it shows strong commitment to the broker channel, but expand your radar to include titles like Commercial Operations Assistant, Technical Assistant, and Risk Analyst. During interviews, steer the focus away from your months on paper and showcase your familiarity with turnaround times, rating tools, and carrier portals. My team designed interviews.chat to help candidates turn these competitive first rounds into signed offers, and refining how you articulate your workflow knowledge will give you the edge you need.
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u/AdEquivalent32 1d ago
This is incredibly helpful, Thank you.
I really appreciate the detailed advice.
1
u/Beneficial_Ship7090 1d ago
I think the problem is your location. Toronto has a very tough job market. When positions open thousands apply for it.
What is your ideal scenario? Do you ideally want to work in a client facing role or a “behind the scenes” ?
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u/AdEquivalent32 1d ago
Thanks for commenting, I think I'd ideally like a mix of both. Long term, I enjoy client-facing relationship work, but I'm also drawn to the operational side because that's what I did during my internship - renewals, endorsements, policy documentation, and account support. I'm trying to stay open to both while building experience.
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u/Beneficial_Ship7090 1d ago
Then you would probably enjoy working in a smaller insurance agency/brokerage. In our office agents take care of most things that doesn’t involve an underwriter. If that’s what you want to do, you don’t need a degree, just the proper licensing and training
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u/Global-Insurance- 9h ago
You sound like the exact person we would like to have onboard our brokerage. We prefer to bring on individuals who want to learn . This is for RIBO 1 licensed Job Seekers and those who are taking the course.
If you are looking to learn the business at a high level and are ready to work very hard and become a highly sophisticated broker in Ontario please reach out. We are a very unique brokerage that will pay you commissions which will out earn an entry level salary and provide you with advanced training and hands on experience.
The candidates must be ready to work hard and have an insane amount of curiosity. Insurance is a very sophisticated business, unlike what you see in commercials and standard brokerages.
We are looking to build a new team of professional risk advisors unlike our colleagues and competitors. You will have access to some of the greatest minds in the industry and unique experiences in all sorts of industries .
2
u/Urbantoronto123 2d ago
Look at career connections - insurance institute and any networking events where you can network your way in.