Guest Blogger: Jaime T

This special guest post is written by an employment specialist working in our Fredericksburg, Va., regional office. Jaime joined GEICO as an entry-level claims representative and was promoted to a liability claims representative before transitioning to human resources in 2011.

After nearly seven years of working at GEICO, I can still say that every day that I’m proud of the company I work for. I hand out referral cards on a regular basis and make sure to let everyone know that, not only does GEICO have great insurance rates, but it was also named one of the 2013 best places to work in Virginia by Virginia Business. And, without fail, someone always asks me, “What’s so great about working for GEICO?”

I just look at them with a big smile and ask, “How much time do you have?”

GEICO has great benefits:  medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan, paid vacation and sick leave. While those are all fantastic, they’re very similar to what you might find at a variety of other employers. Two things that I think makes GEICO unique are its dedication to employees’ personal and professional growth, and its commitment to give back to our local communities across the country.

Each major GEICO office has a team responsible for organizing activities that support various causes. In April, my office holds a raffle to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides Walk. My Virginia Beach colleagues raise money for March of Dimes by hosting a bake sale and “Zumba Battle.” The list of causes and charities that GEICO supports is long! It’s great to see our associates get involved because when giving is part of your work culture, it can become part of the way that you live your own life.

Also, when it comes to educational opportunities, GEICO’s tuition reimbursement and industry-leading training program are hard to beat! Tuition reimbursement is available to full-time employees who have successfully completed their initial orientation period. It provides reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year, plus up to 75 percent of textbook costs.

For associates looking to further develop their insurance-related skills, GEICO offers courses through the Insurance Studies Program for which the company covers the costs. You can learn more about our educational opportunities on geico.jobs.

I feel lucky to work for a company that continues to grow, despite an unsteady economy, and I want to want to make sure we continue to prosper. I’m always on the lookout for great people who exude excellent customer service, so I can encourage them to apply for a position with GEICO!

Are you looking for a growing company that gives back to the community and supports the development of its employees? GEICO is hiring in 14 major offices across the country, as well as for adjusters to work in most states.

After poring through hundreds of submissions from across the country, the judges of GEICO’s  2012-2013 National Safety Poster and Video Contest  tallied their votes and selected the 18 winners of this year’s contest:

Safety Poster Contest:

Kiani Alvarez-Ranan, Kapolei, Hawaii
Joy Chen, East Brunswick, N.J.
Paul Gellerman, Grand Forks, N.D.
Sarah Gellerman, Grand Forks, N.D.
Makenna Hayes, Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Michelle Huang, Edison, N.J.
Annette S. Kim, Los Angeles, Calif.
Emily Kim, Clifton, Va.
Grace Kim, Los Angeles, Calif.
Sarah Kim, Fairfax, Va.
Joanne Lee, Los Angeles, Calif.
Edmond Ngai, South Plainfield, N.J.
Jai Rhee, Los Angeles, Calif.
Elizabeth Wang, San Antonio, Texas
Mailani Wendt, Kapolei, Hawaii

Video Contest:

Cameron Haffner, Fort Myers, Fla.
Dio Kenda, Takoma Park, Md.
Alex Oliver, Saint Cloud, Fla.

Each winning poster and video is prominently displayed on the GEICO Safety Poster and Video Contest website.

The elementary and middle school (grades K-8) winners were selected for creating posters featuring original superhero characters that were colorful, creative and promoted safe-driving messages such as the importance of wearing safety belts, preventing distracted driving and not speeding. The 15 poster contest winners each took home a $250 cash prize.

The high school-age (grades 9-12) winners participated in the contest by creating a promotional video that emphasized either the dangers of distracted driving or the importance of not driving while impaired (under the influence of alcohol or drugs). The three video contest winners each received a $500 cash prize.

GEICO congratulates the winners and thanks all of the students who entered the contest and helped spread the powerful message of the importance of safe driving.

Meet Lily – the new interactive voice assistant available on the GEICO App.

Lily is able to respond to the questions and needs that policyholders have. She can assist you in making a payment, understanding your insurance coverage, viewing your claim and much more! But it’s not all insurance – try asking her what she likes to eat or what she thinks of the Gecko!

Just visit www.geico.com/gomobile to download the GEICO App, or update your current version in the App Store.

We haven’t forgotten you, Android users. Lily will be making her way to your smartphone later this year!

iPhone and App Store are trademarks of Apple Inc.

Android is a trademark of Google Inc.

In fact, we have our own internal organization – GEICO Corporate Community Citizens – that helps to coordinate our participation in events across the U.S. Each year, thousands of GEICO associates give back to a variety of national and local causes. They teach at local schools, support disaster relief efforts, raise money for charitable organizations, build houses, and so much more. Giving back … making our communities stronger … being a visible presence for change … this is also what we do at GEICO.

Here’s a snapshot of the many ways that our team contributed to the greater good last year. Isn’t it amazing what we can do when we all pull together? We’re not just a company that talks the talk, our associates are walking the walk – and we couldn’t be more proud!

It’s one thing to go to work every day and talk to customers over the phone; at GEICO, we take that sort of interaction to the next level. Not only do we offer products that protect our policyholders and give them peace of mind, we also provide incredible opportunities to do more than just work here. If you’re looking to build a career with a socially responsible company, consider applying to GEICO.

Each month, we share an image from GEICO’s past and invite you to exercise your caption-writing skills.

I wish I had a dollar for every gallon of blood donated by GEICO associates over the years. I’m sure I’d be a comfortably retired man today!

As this 1950s photo of donors boarding a Red Cross bus to be taken to a blood drive suggests, GEICO associates have been enthusiastic blood donors for many years. These days, of course, it’s a more convenient process – for us, at least. At the corporate headquarters where I work, and at many of our other locations around the country, blood-collection organizations set up shop in our building for the day, gather the gallons and then pack up and depart. Three months later, we do it again.

Quick, efficient, pretty much painless, and we even get a free lunch from our cafeteria for our time and trouble – what’s not to like? And despite what one of our recent ads suggests, I’ve never seen any overly excited undead-looking guys in capes at our blood drives.

What do you suppose these folks were thinking as they waited to get on the bus? Let us know in the comments.

To what do you attribute your career success?

Early on in my career, I recognized that GEICO rewards those who work hard and focus on being the best in their current job. Don’t spend too much time worrying about the next job; you will never get there unless you get results in your current job.    

When you reflect upon your GEICO career, what are you most proud of?

I am most proud of seeing those who I have mentored and worked closely with continue to advance and meet their own career objectives. It is exciting to see others grow and take on more responsibilities.  

Many people don’t consider insurance to be an exciting industry to work in. What would you say to convince them otherwise?

Quite honestly, I don’t think that anyone says, “I want to work in insurance when I grow up.” A career at GEICO is about exceeding our customers’ needs by providing a product that saves them money and by being there when they need us the most. It’s more than just being a representative, but rather an insurance professional. Many of our positions require that our associates obtain licenses issued by the states in which we do business.     

If you could describe GEICO using three words, what would they be?

How about eight? Committed to saving customers money without sacrificing service. 

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?

Be honest with yourself on your strengths and weaknesses. Make sure that you understand the areas for improvement and tackle them now, so that at they don’t become a barrier to taking on more responsibility in the future.     

If there was ONE thing you’d want job seekers to know about GEICO, what would it be?

Successful companies possess two unique traits: They’re built on solid business models that are hard to replicate and they continue to identify more efficient ways to meet customers’ needs for products or services. Starting a career with a company that possesses these traits will provide you with long-term stability and advancement opportunities. GEICO possesses these traits.

Do you have a favorite GEICO moment?

While meeting Warren Buffett the first time would sound more interesting, I really enjoy participating in the numerous recognition ceremonies that we hold for our top performers. It is great to see how many GEICO associates consistently excel at delivering great service.           

What’s your favorite GEICO commercial?

I have had many over the years, but I really like the new “happier than” series. The antelopes with the night vision goggles, the witch in the broom factory, and the most recent, Pillsbury Doughboy on his way to a baking convention, are worth watching every time!

Are you looking for a company that offers outstanding advancement potential? GEICO is one of the country’s largest and fastest-growing auto insurers, and has a long history of rewarding performance and promoting from within. You can learn more about careers at GEICO by visiting our career site and watching our associate videos. 

Breanne M., sales representative in Macon, Ga.
GEICO associate since 2011

Nearly two years after joining GEICO, Breanne continues to reach for the sky! In 2012, she was tenth in the overall sales ranking, and that is a goal she’s working toward again this year. This Mercer University graduate is not only a top-ranked sales associate, she is also studying to earn her Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter designation. 

What is a typical day like in sales? Every call that I take is related to our sales application, but no two calls are ever alike. I enjoy the thrill of sales, the give and take, and the good-natured competition within my team.  

What is the one thing you want people to know about GEICO? If you want it, GEICO will give you all the tools you need to go as far as you choose. The only thing you have to decide is how far you want to go, because this company rewards performance and grows its leaders from the ground up.

What is your favorite GEICO moment? In January, my team celebrated National Spaghetti Day! I convinced everyone to wear black felt moustaches – inspired by Mario Brothers – and my supervisor wore a chef’s hat and apron. I love that for as hard as we work in sales, we often “play” even harder. It’s fun to work for people who appreciate what you do.

What is your favorite GEICO commercial? The Caveman at the airport … he’s on the “moving sidewalk” when he passes a GEICO caveman ad on the terminal wall. Then he walks back, stares in disbelief and shakes his head. That has been my favorite for years!

GEICO is hiring great people. We’re looking for dynamic and driven sales professionals who can build rapport, listen to our customers, overcome objections and close sales. Currently, we have sales jobs in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, New York, Virginia and Texas. You can learn more by visiting our career site and watching our associate video.

Why our videos rock

Back in 2009, we started publishing these videos externally to our Jobs at GEICO channel on YouTube to showcase our associates and friendly, upbeat culture. Here’s why I think our videos rock and hope you’ll agree. 

• Our associates are fantastic. These are not paid singers or actors, but real employees from locations all across the country.
• The Gecko makes an appearance. You’ve seen our lovable Gecko in commercials, now see him rock out on a guitar and bust a move.
• Original songs. We don’t have a full-time songwriter position at GEICO; however, these original songs will surely have you singing along.
• Warren Buffett cameos. The “Oracle of Omaha” even gets in on the action and will surely surprise you!

Now, without further ado, here is the 2013 GEICO associates music video featuring real employees, catchy lyrics and even a little Gangnam style.

GEICO Whoa Oh Oh

Previous years’ videos

Just in case you missed our earlier videos and have a few minutes to spare, here is a list of all of our videos for your viewing pleasure.

• 2009: We’re GEICO
• 2010: Lizard Ballad
• 2011: The Service You Need
• 2012: We Got Your Back

Which video is your favorite? Which Warren Buffett appearance do you like most? Share your opinion below.  

Cabazon Dinosaurs – Cabazon, Calif.

Come to a real-world Jurassic Park. Ms. Dinny, a 150-ton dinosaur, is the largest concrete dino in the world. You can even climb to the top of a life-size Tyrannosaurus rex. The concrete prehistoric creatures are just a short distance west of Palm Springs and can be seen from Interstate 10.

Leaning Tower – Niles, Ill.

You don’t need to travel all the way to Italy to see a leaning tower – at least not a half-sized replica. Built in 1934, Niles’ leaning tower is now the center of a park. The Midwestern tower is just 15 minutes from O’Hare airport.

World’s Largest Buffalo – Jamestown, N.D.

The 60-ton concrete sculpture has been around for tourists to see and take pictures with since 1959. In 2010, the buffalo was named “Dakota Thunder.”

Now, it’s your turn! Share the hidden treasures in your part of the country in the comments.

You might not think you need Garden Gnome Insurance. But, I’m sure the first victim of a garden gnome theft thought the same thing, until it was too late. You see, there are criminals known as “garden gnome liberationists,” and the “traveling gnome prank” has been made popular in movies and video games. They call it “freedom”… we call it an “insurance claim.”

But fear not, gnome-owner! For as little as 41 cents a day, our garden gnome insurance protects up to 10 of your small, decorative, ceramic, bearded characters from theft or pranks. Depending on the policy you choose, you’ll receive:

• 24-hour claim service if one of your gnomes is toppled as a result of severe weather or collision with an animal. Our claims representatives will actually come set it back up straight for you.
• Replacement cost if your gnome is stolen or irreparably damaged – up to around $41 dollars, probably.

Get a quote for Garden Gnome Insurance (also known as lawn gnome insurance) today!

Disclaimer: GEICO does not offer garden gnome insurance, obviously. Mostly because it would be ridiculous, and also because it’s April Fool’s Day. But we do have 18 other, very real insurance products on geico.com.  Happy April 1!

Each month, we share an image from GEICO’s past and invite you to exercise your caption-writing skills.

We’ve been enduring some unseasonably chilly weather around the nation’s capital of late, so when I came across this photo, I immediately wanted to step right into it. Just look at these happy GEICO employees, out in their shirtsleeves on a balmy day, getting ready to take this sweet ride out for a little lunchtime cruise. Meanwhile, here in 2013, on Monday morning I watched snow falling outside my office window most of the day.

Correction: what I meant to say is that I occasionally glimpsed that snow falling during those fleeting seconds when I had a free moment to look up from my work to see it. Yeah, that’s better.

And Tuesday, it was cold, cloudy and gloomy all day. March doesn’t seem to have gotten the message about going out like a lamb. Anyway, the suggestion of carefree, warm days with the open road beckoning isn’t the only reason this photo appeals to me. It also reminds me of my own learning-to-drive experience, which came behind the wheel of my father’s black VW Beetle.

They don’t make ’em like that anymore.

Does this photo jog any memories for you? Let us know in the comments.

Another extraordinary event occurred this week, when GEICO announced plans to open a new sales and service facility in Indianapolis. Within a year, we expect to hire 400 new associates, and ultimately will employ more than 1,000 there. That is great news for GEICO, certainly, but that’s not really why it puts a smile on my face.

I think back nearly 30 years to Jan. 9, 1984 – my first day working at GEICO. I didn’t know a lot about the company at the time, and little did I realize then what a critical moment that was in my life. GEICO has given me a great career and allowed me to provide the wife I would marry later that year and the three sons we now have with a comfortable home and a pleasant lifestyle.

Thanks to the Gecko, the 400 people we’ll be hiring in Indianapolis probably know a bit more about GEICO than I did when I was hired. What they probably won’t realize for some time is how GEICO is going to change their lives for the better. And who knows? Thirty years from now, one of them might be writing a little essay just like this one, about another new GEICO office opening. And that person will probably be just as proud of GEICO as I am right now.

Interested in a career with GEICO? Submit your application online through GEICO’s career site. 

Carolyn T., lead application systems analyst
GEICO associate since 2010, U. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign alum

Carolyn came to GEICO through the IT track of our Emerging Leaders Program, after graduating with a double major in information technology and finance. Today, she’s leading a team of analysts, working on challenging projects, discussing concepts and designs, mentoring other associates … and having fun along the way!

What is the most exciting project that you are working on?

My team is constantly striving to provide our customers with the best mobile and tablet experience when interacting with their policies. Our projects stem from our research conducted on emerging technologies and methodologies.

What do you like most about GEICO?

I love working with the people on my team and providing them with career growth opportunities. Technology is constantly changing and our management team can utilize that to provide our team with fun, exciting projects while enhancing our customer’s experience at the same time. In addition, GEICO’s culture is to promote from within, and there are development programs for those who would like to one day be in IT management.

What other activities are you involved in?

I attend college career fairs and give classroom presentations to students in order share my experiences and advice for transitioning from college to work.

What is your favorite GEICO moment?

Seeing our CEO, Tony Nicely, dance with the Gecko at our annual meeting!

What is your favorite GEICO commercial?

In the current rotation of GEICO commercials, my favorite one is “Happier than Dikembe Mutombo.”

Dave K., senior programmer analyst
GEICO associate since 2009, Penn State alum

After graduating with a degree in management information systems, Dave began his GEICO career. Today, he’s an iOS Developer on our mobile team, working to ensure our customers have the best possible mobile experience.

What is a typical day like for you in IT?

I spend much of my time coding and then testing with different iOS devices. When we have enough new features, we begin the update process. I then work with Apple to submit and update our apps on the AppStore.

What is the most exciting project that you are working on?

Every project I work on is exciting and interesting! Recently I helped implement a fully automated architecture to build and deploy our apps to our developers and analysts. This drastically cut down on the time it takes to fully test code and allows us to deliver more functionality at a faster pace.

What do you like most about working at GEICO?

The people I work with are some of the greatest people I have ever met, along with being the biggest influences in my career. GEICO is a family and I wouldn’t be where I am today without their support.

Are you involved in any GEICO volunteer events?

I volunteered for a Habitat for Humanity project and helped rebuild houses in southeast D.C. It was a very rewarding experience, and it was very interesting to work with my colleagues in a much different setting than we usually do.

What is your favorite GEICO moment?

A few years ago, we had a lot of snow and were outside on our breaks helping the Gecko sled with the neighborhood children on a nearby hill. The kids loved it and it was quite comical to see the Gecko sledding!

Working in IT @ GEICO offers analyst and developer career paths, the ability to utilize the latest technologies, and the chance to work with an industry-leading team. You will learn a lot, be challenged on a daily basis, and have the opportunity to build a lasting IT career. Learn more and apply today at geico.jobs/IT.   

Michael D., liability claims in Marlton, N.J.
GEICO associate since 2007

Prior to beginning his career in claims, Michael graduated from Rutgers University with a business degree in finance. Today, he’s in our supervisor preparation program, and is responsible for mentoring and coaching other claims associates, analyzing claims data to make strategic business decisions, and auditing complex claims and personal injury cases.

What do you like most about your job? I enjoy interacting with our customers and assisting them in their time of need. A car accident can be stressful … I want to show them that we are here to help in any way possible.

What do you want people to know about GEICO? GEICO is not only the fastest-growing major auto insurer; it’s also a company that provides many different job opportunities across the country.

What is your favorite GEICO moment? I was a part of a new claims system rollout and traveled to our Macon, Ga., location to assist. It was a great experience!

What is your favorite GEICO commercial? My favorite commercial is definitely the “Easier way to save” one with the pet possum.

Bonnie B., liability claims in Virginia Beach, Va.
GEICO associate since 2011

What does a recreation and leisure studies grad do after college? Why, work at GEICO, of course! Bonnie launched her career with us soon after graduation, and has been learning new skills, assisting customers and getting involved ever since.

What are your main responsibilities as a telephone claim representative? I handle first-party injury claims when our insureds are hurt. This requires me to investigate car accidents, specifically those in which there is a liability dispute (meaning it’s not immediately clear who was at fault). It’s my job to gather all the facts and come to a final decision based upon the evidence obtained.

What do you like most about your job? Every day, my job provides me with the opportunity to interact with a variety of people and situations. Each accident is unique and rarely occurs the same way. I play a vital role in uncovering fraudulent claims and do my best to protect the company against fraud.

I also get the chance to work with our insureds – who were badly injured in accidents – and follow them through the recovery process until they are well again. Throughout the recovery process, I build relationships and feel great joy, as they do, once their treatments are complete.

How are you involved within your office? I am on the Virginia Beach marketing team, and help spread the word about GEICO to current and potential policyholders, and anyone else within the community that we can reach out to. I am also on the Distracted Driver Committee. Our latest campaign involves reaching out to local high schools and encouraging students to pledge to stop using their cellphones while driving.

What is your favorite GEICO moment? My favorite moment occurs on a near daily basis, when I see the involvement of the company in the community. GEICO is involved in many major sporting events, charity events, organizations, etc. Every time I see that involvement, I feel a great sense of pride in my company.

Working in claims requires the tenacity to investigate complex situations, the ability to build trust and relationships, and the skill to efficiently resolve and manage simultaneous cases. You can learn more about careers in insurance claims by visiting our career site and watching our associate video.

Each month, we share an image from GEICO’s past and invite you to exercise your caption-writing skills.

GEICO associates work hard to provide our customers the best service possible. But after the bell rings (Yes, we used to have a dismissal bell here at the corporate headquarters back in the day – and you sure didn’t want to be blocking the exit when it went off!), we like to play hard, too.

And GEICO supports our athletic endeavors; the company sponsors a variety of activities for its associates. During my time at HQ, we’ve had bowling, tennis, soccer, softball, basketball and golf leagues at one time or another.

These days, our softball teams are coed, but back in the 1960s, not so. These ladies were a force to be reckoned with when they took up the bats and gloves. Looks like they had a darn good time in the process, too.

Take a guess at what these women were thinking in the comments.