5 Skills Insurance Companies Are Actually Hiring For in 2025

As insurance recruiters, we spend our days deep in conversations with hiring managers across carriers, brokers, and TPAs. While technical insurance knowledge remains important, the skills that actually get candidates hired have evolved significantly. Here’s what we’re seeing employers prioritize right now.

1. Data Fluency (Not Just Analytics)

Gone are the days when “Excel proficiency” was enough. Today’s insurance professionals need to be comfortable interpreting data from multiple sources, questioning assumptions, and translating insights into business decisions.

We’re not talking about becoming data scientists. Instead, think of it as being bilingual in both insurance concepts and data storytelling. The underwriter who can explain why loss ratios are trending upward using clear visualizations, or the claims adjuster who spots patterns across their caseload—these are the candidates getting multiple offers.

What this looks like in practice: Comfort with tools like Tableau or Power BI, ability to create simple dashboards, and most importantly, asking the right questions when presented with data.

2. Digital Communication Skills

Insurance has always been a relationship business, but those relationships increasingly happen through screens. The pandemic accelerated this shift, and it’s not reversing.

Strong digital communicators know when to use video calls versus email, how to facilitate productive virtual meetings, and can build rapport through technology. They’re also comfortable with the digital tools that are becoming standard across the industry—from Slack to specialized insurance platforms.

Red flag we see: Candidates who seem uncomfortable with technology or prefer “old school” communication methods exclusively. The industry has moved on.

3. Regulatory Adaptability

Regulations aren’t just changing—they’re changing faster. Climate disclosure requirements, cyber liability standards, state-by-state cannabis regulations—the list keeps growing.

The candidates who stand out aren’t necessarily regulatory experts (though that helps). They’re the ones who can quickly get up to speed on new requirements, understand their practical implications, and help their organizations adapt without panic.

What employers want to hear: Examples of how you’ve navigated regulatory changes before, or how you stay current with industry developments. Bonus points if you can explain complex regulations in plain English.

4. Cross-Functional Collaboration

The days of working in silos are over. Claims teams need to work closely with underwriting. Underwriters coordinate with risk management. Everyone interfaces with IT more than ever.

We consistently hear from hiring managers that they need people who can work effectively across departments, understand how their role impacts others, and contribute to company-wide initiatives.

In interviews, this means: Being able to describe projects where you worked with other departments, how you handle conflicting priorities, and your approach to getting buy-in from stakeholders who don’t report to you.

5. Customer Experience Thinking

This one surprises some candidates, but it shouldn’t. Insurance customers—whether individual policyholders or commercial clients—have higher expectations than ever. They’re comparing their insurance experience to Amazon, not just other insurance companies.

The professionals getting hired think about the customer experience in everything they do. How does this underwriting decision affect the client relationship? How can we make the claims process less frustrating? How do we explain complex coverage in terms customers actually understand?

Practical application: Can you describe your work from the customer’s perspective? Do you have examples of going above and beyond for client service, even in traditionally “behind the scenes” roles?

The Bottom Line

Technical insurance knowledge will always matter—you need to understand the business. But in today’s competitive market, the candidates who get hired are those who combine that technical foundation with these broader professional skills.

If you’re looking to make a move in insurance, take an honest inventory of these five areas. Where are your strengths? Where could you develop further? The investment in building these skills pays dividends not just in landing your next role, but in advancing throughout your insurance career.

Looking to make your next career move in insurance? Our team specializes in connecting talented professionals with opportunities across carriers, brokers, and TPAs nationwide. Contact us to discuss how we can help advance your insurance career.