Insurance Center

During the year 2008 we saw a slue of layoffs amidst economic struggles. Looking ahead to the new year shows indications of hope for a rejuvenation of jobs for job seekers.

At the same time that some companies are continuing to carry out mass layoffs, other companies are moving their focus toward hiring aggressively at the beginning of 2009.

ServiceMaster's vice president of talent acquisition, a lawn care and landscape maintenance company, Andrea Hough, says that although this is clearly a difficult economy, job seekers should still be thoughtful about whom they are going to work for and not proceed out of desperation. She points out that there are yet some very strong companies that possess solid ethics that are in need of employees eager to be a part of a blossoming organization.

If you are one of those who is seeking employment this new year, here are companies including some insurance companies, such as these in various industries, that are seeking to hire a diverse selection of jobs in 2009, regardless of the difficult economy:

1. The 7-Eleven Company
The company's manager of talent acquisition systems Jim Wahl, says that this company is a leader in convenience retailing. The company maintains about 7,600 7-Eleven stores in North America combined with in access of 35,000 stores in 17 other countries, according to Wahl.
According to Wahl, the company is seeking those who see their work as being more than a job, but as rather an investment in their futures. The company for 2009, is seeking candidates for operations, accounting, information systems, merchandising and marketing.

2. Banfield
According to Mike Mason, senior director of team resources, Banfield is actually the largest pet general veterinary practice in the world. The company makes available a full range of comprehensive medical services combined with a quality assurance program.
Banfield is seeking employees who love pets and who share in the company's mission of treating pets like family, according to Mason, and increasing the value of pets throughout families and communities.
They will be filling positions for 2009 as they become open in their main campus in Portland, Oregon, and in their hospitals. They will also be hiring quality associates to staff their new hospitals. In this respect they are seeking veterinarians, Pet Nurses, office managers and client service coordinators.

3. Farmers Insurance
As described by Andy Reser, vice president of agencies, Farmers Insurance is the nation's third-largest personal lines property and casualty insurance group. Farmers Insurance makes available homeowners, business, auto, and specialty products, as well as life insurance and financial services to in access of 10 million households.
Assistant vice president of diversity and emerging markets Luisa Acosta-Franco, says that the company is looking for those who desire an opportunity to build their own business. They will be given the latitude to set their own professional goals and income goals. Acosta-Franco says that Farmers maintains a strong commitment to diverse markets. This makes available positions for those qualified individuals who are bilingual. She says that this is an important component of the company's overall strategy to attract and retain the right people to fulfill the opportunities being offered by the company.