How to Get an Insurance Job with No References

The world feels like it's running on a new, unpredictable operating system. Global supply chain disruptions, the rise of the gig economy, and the "Great Resignation" have fundamentally reshaped the professional landscape. In this environment, the traditional career path—a straight line from college to a 30-year tenure at one company—has become a relic. For many, this means building a career without the cornerstone of the old system: a solid list of professional references.

Maybe you’re a recent graduate whose internship was canceled due to economic pressures. Perhaps you’re a career-changer from an industry that no longer exists, or your previous manager has retired or moved on, their contact details lost to time. Or, maybe your work history is a patchwork of short-term contracts and freelance gigs where you never built a lasting rapport with a single supervisor. The thought of applying for a stable, reputable insurance job can feel daunting, if not impossible. The industry, built on trust and risk assessment, seems to demand verifiable proof of your character and competence.

But here’s the secret the best hiring managers know: the absence of traditional references is not a verdict on your capability. It's a circumstance. And in today's world, it's a common one. The insurance industry, ironically, is in the business of assessing and mitigating modern risks. They need agile, resilient, and resourceful individuals who can navigate this new normal. Your task is not to explain away a lack of references, but to build an application so compelling that it makes them irrelevant.

Why the "No References" Situation is More Common Than You Think

Before we dive into the strategy, let's normalize your situation. You are not alone.

The Gig Economy and Contract Work

Millions of professionals have built their careers through platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or through short-term project-based contracts. In these scenarios, you have clients, not bosses. You complete deliverables, not annual reviews. There is no central HR department to vouch for you years later. This model teaches incredible self-discipline, client management, and project delivery skills—all highly valuable in insurance—but it doesn't provide a traditional reference list.

Career Pivots and Industry Shifts

The world's economic focus shifts. Someone who spent a decade in retail management or hospitality may now be seeking the stability of the insurance sector, especially after recent global events highlighted the fragility of certain industries. Their skills in customer service, conflict resolution, and operations are transferable, but their previous supervisors may be unreachable or unable to speak to their fitness for an insurance role.

Company Dissolutions and Layoffs

Economic downturns and corporate restructuring have left many talented individuals in a lurch. The company they worked for may no longer exist, or their entire department was made redundant. The HR department they would contact for verification has been disbanded. This is a reality of the modern economic cycle and is generally understood by hiring managers.

The Modern Applicant's Toolkit: Building a Reference-Free Case

Your application needs to be a multi-layered argument for your hire. Instead of relying on others to speak for you, you must speak for yourself, with evidence.

1. Master the Art of the "Skills-Based" Resume

Forget the chronological resume that highlights your job titles and dates. A skills-based or functional resume is your new best friend. This format front-loads your abilities and achievements, pushing your work history to a simplified section at the bottom.

• Create a Powerful "Summary of Qualifications" Section: At the very top, write a 3-4 bullet point summary that sells your core value. Instead of "Seeking an insurance position," try "Analytical problem-solver with proven experience in client relationship management, data analysis, and claims process optimization seeking to leverage transferable skills as a Claims Adjuster."
• Group Your Skills into Thematic Areas: Create headings like "Client Relations & Communication," "Data Analysis & Reporting," "Regulatory Compliance & Detail Orientation," and "Project & Time Management." Under each heading, use bullet points to describe specific accomplishments, using metrics wherever possible. Did you improve a process? Manage a difficult client? Analyze data to find a trend? This is where you tell those stories.
• De-emphasize the "Experience" Section: List your companies, titles, and dates, but keep the descriptions brief. The detail belongs in your skills section.

2. Develop a Knockout Portfolio

You might think portfolios are for artists and designers. Think again. In the information age, a portfolio is proof.

• Case Studies: Write a one-page analysis of a complex problem you solved. If you come from customer service, detail a difficult customer interaction and how you resolved it, highlighting empathy, patience, and procedure-following. This directly translates to handling policyholder claims.
• Process Documentation: Have you ever created a training manual, a checklist, or a new workflow for a team? This demonstrates your understanding of efficiency and risk mitigation—the heart of insurance.
• Data Analysis Projects: Use free tools like Google Sheets or Tableau Public to analyze a public dataset. Write a brief report on your findings. This shows you can work with data, a crucial skill for underwriters and actuaries.
• Certifications and Online Learning: Proactively enroll in industry-recognized courses. The Institutes, for example, offer foundational certifications like "Introduction to Property and Casualty Insurance" (AINS 21). Completing these shows initiative, genuine interest, and a foundational knowledge that can offset a lack of direct experience.

3. Leverage Alternative "References"

While you may not have a former boss, you likely have other people who can attest to your character and work ethic.

• Professors or Academic Advisors: Even if you graduated years ago, a professor who remembers your strong performance in a relevant course (like business, finance, or statistics) can be a good character reference.
• Mentors from Industry Associations: Join local chapters of associations like the National Association of Insurance Women (NAIW) or similar groups. A mentor you meet there can vouch for your professionalism and engagement with the industry.
• Colleagues or Team Members: A peer who worked alongside you can often provide a more detailed and authentic account of your collaborative skills and day-to-day competence than a distant manager.
• Volunteer Coordinators: If you have volunteered consistently, the coordinator can speak to your reliability, teamwork, and commitment.
• Important: Always ask these individuals for permission first and brief them thoroughly on the jobs you are applying for so they can tailor their praise accordingly.

Acing the Interview: Turning a Potential Weakness into a Strength

The interview is where your preparation pays off. The question of references will likely come up. Your response should be confident, brief, and forward-looking.

How to Address the Reference Question

When asked, do not apologize. Do not get defensive. Offer a calm, prepared statement.

"Because much of my background is in project-based contract work/a different industry, I don't have a traditional list of managerial references. However, I can provide several professional references from mentors and colleagues who can speak to my work ethic and the skills I’ve outlined today. More importantly, the portfolio I’ve brought with me, along with the certifications I’m actively pursuing, are a direct demonstration of my capabilities and my serious commitment to building a career in insurance."

This response does three things: 1. It neutrally states the fact without shame. 2. It offers a viable alternative (other references). 3. It pivots powerfully to the tangible evidence you have created (portfolio, certifications).

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

The insurance industry loves behavioral questions ("Tell me about a time when..."). Without a manager to vouch for you, your answers to these questions are your references.

• Use the STAR Method: Structure every answer using Situation, Task, Action, Result.
• Pull from All of Life: You are not limited to paid jobs. Use examples from volunteering, academic group projects, or organizing a community event. The skill is what matters, not the context.
  • Conflict Resolution: "Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult person." (Use a story from retail, a group project, or a volunteer event).
  • Attention to Detail: "Describe a time when your careful attention to detail prevented a major error." (Use a story from data entry, proofreading a university paper, or managing finances for a club).
  • Ethical Dilemma: "Tell me about a time you faced an ethical challenge at work." (This shows integrity, a non-negotiable in insurance).

Proactive Steps to Build Your Network from Scratch

While you're applying for jobs, you should also be building the professional network you feel you lack.

• LinkedIn is Your Office: Optimize your LinkedIn profile with keywords for the insurance jobs you want. Connect with insurance professionals in your area. Don't just send a connection request; send a brief, personalized note: "I'm exploring a career in insurance and was impressed by your profile. I would be grateful to learn more about your role."
• Informational Interviews: This is the most powerful tool at your disposal. Ask for 15-20 minutes of someone's time to learn about their job and the industry. People love talking about themselves. This is not about asking for a job; it's about gathering information and building a relationship. You might just find a mentor, and they will remember you when a job opens up.
• Join Professional Groups: As mentioned before, find local or online insurance groups. Attend meetings (many are virtual now). Be an active participant. Ask thoughtful questions. Visibility leads to opportunity.

The landscape of work has changed, and the methods for securing a job must evolve with it. The insurance industry, a bastion of tradition, is increasingly seeking the very qualities that define non-traditional candidates: resilience, adaptability, and self-motivation. Your lack of traditional references is not a closed door. It is an invitation to tell a more compelling, more modern, and ultimately more powerful story about who you are and the unique value you bring.