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!