Associate April Contreras: “I went from just a job with a paycheck to a career with so many possibilities”

GEICO significantly increased starting salaries for service and sales positions in North Liberty, Iowa. Sales and service associates at GEICO are licensed, professional insurance agents, provided with extensive training and continuing education. GEICO offers an excellent benefits package and is currently looking for energetic people who have a positive attitude, enjoy helping others and thrive in a dynamic environment.

North Liberty associate April Contreras came to GEICO seven years ago. She saw that GEICO was hiring and heard that it had great career opportunities, so she put in an application.

“I went from just having a job where I got a paycheck to a career with so many future possibilities and job security.”

Like most associates, Contreras had little knowledge of insurance before joining.

“Like any new opportunity, starting is the hardest because you have to learn from the bottom-up. But GEICO does an amazing job prepping you,” Contreras said. “From A to Z, they walk you through the ins and outs of insurance and teach you everything.”

“That said, it wasn’t always smooth sailing,” she said. “When I first got hired, I wasn’t hitting the top tier. But one great thing about this job is that you get guidance and you rapidly get better and they lay out the incentives well. Once I understood the job, I moved up the tiers and could see how to get more responsibility and higher paying positions.”

When asked what has kept her at GEICO for seven years, Contreras answered, “Usually I would say money but it’s not just money. GEICO is really like a family.”

“Through my career here I’ve gotten married, had kids and the usual ups and downs,” she said. “GEICO and my colleagues always made it so I could make my schedule flexible and be there for my family. I never have to pick one or the other. GEICO makes the job work with family life.”

To that point, Contreras has made use of the numerous benefits GEICO provides.

“When I first started, GEICO gave access to a service that can help with life issues – whether social, financial, mental health, etc. It’s total support. It even helped me figure out some finances so I could purchase my first home,” said Contreras.

An extension of this family atmosphere is all the community outreach done in North Liberty.

“We are always volunteering and having outings – whether it is the Hawkeyes or the Field of Dreams event – GEICO is involved in every fabric of our community,” she said.

Contreras’s experience is shared by many of her North Liberty colleagues, according to Regional Vice President Shane Wheeler.

“There are so many stories like April’s. Our North Liberty office does a phenomenal job of getting Iowans in the door, training them up, promoting them and opening new positions – like those we’re hiring for now. At the same time, there’s always flexibility for family and community life – and the work they do to volunteer and with charities is great,” said Wheeler.

A member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies, GEICO is a stable company that was founded 85 years ago. The company’s Total Rewards benefits package includes health, dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and holidays, and continuing education and tuition reimbursement.

When asked what she would tell people about GEICO, Contreras answered, “First, I tell everyone I know to apply to GEICO – even people that have a job and say they are happy. There are opportunities to quickly increase your salary and move up the levels. And, if they have a family and are trying to balance that and want the best of both worlds, GEICO is the place for you 100%.”

Applications are being accepted now at GEICO.jobs/North-Liberty.

GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company), the second-largest auto insurer in the U.S., was founded in 1936 and insures more than 28 million vehicles in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. A member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies, GEICO employs more than 40,000 associates countrywide. GEICO constantly strives to make lives better by protecting people against unexpected events while saving them money and providing an outstanding customer experience. Along with personal auto insurance, commercial auto and personal umbrella coverages are also available. Homeowners, renters, condo, flood, identity theft, term life, and more coverages are written through non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. Visit geico.com for a quote or to learn more.

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