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How to hire a general agent

General agent hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring general agents in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a general agent is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new general agent to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a general agent, step by step

To hire a general agent, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a general agent:

Here's a step-by-step general agent hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a general agent job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new general agent
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The general agent hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A general agent's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, general agents from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    The following list breaks down different types of general agents and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of General AgentDescriptionHourly rate
    General AgentInsurance sales agents help insurance companies generate new business by contacting potential customers and selling one or more types of insurance. Insurance sales agents explain various insurance policies and help clients choose plans that suit them.$12-26
    Insurance ProducerAn insurance producer is responsible for selling and buying financial services and products for an insurance company. They negotiate issues regarding health, life insurance, and other properties... Show more$21-44
    Licensed Insurance ProducerAn Insurance producer, also called an insurance agent that promotes and sells insurance benefits and packages to clients. This includes life insurance, property, and health insurance that is offered by not only one company... Show more$21-46
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Health Insurance Products
    • Life Insurance Policies
    • Life Insurance
    • Life Insurance Products
    • Long-Term Care
    • Disability Insurance
    • Annuities
    • Inbound Calls
    • Sales Techniques
    • RAN
    • Insurance Sales
    • Product Knowledge
    • Sales Presentations
    • Insurance Programs
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Increase sales of life, annuities, disability and securities from [] to []
    • Operate remote telecommunications using applications and secure computer communications to troubleshoot and resolve issues on customer Samsung devices.
    • Help maintain Primerica as the number one source for insurance needs by directly switching accounts over to the company.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your general agent job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A general agent can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, general agents' average salary in west virginia is 49% less than in alaska.
    • Seniority. Entry-level general agents 51% less than senior-level general agents.
    • Certifications. A general agent with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a general agent's salary.

    Average general agent salary

    $39,307yearly

    $18.90 hourly rate

    Entry-level general agent salary
    $27,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 21, 2026
  4. Writing a general agent job description

    A general agent job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a general agent job description:

    General agent job description example

    • The chance to work in a fast-paced and fun start-up environment with experienced industry leaders
    • A learning environment where you can dive deep into the latest technologies and make an impact
    • Competitive base salary, bonus and incentive compensation Unlimited PTO / Flexible time off - work with your manager to take time off when you need it
    • Professional development budget with flexibility for personal and professional growth
    • Outstanding health insurance for employee, partner and dependents
    • Life insurance, short-term & long-term disability coverage
    • 401K plan with company contribution (Bermuda: Private pension plan with company contribution)
    • Flexible spending programs for medical and dependent care (Not available for Bermuda positions)
    • Paid parental leave

    ENVIRONMENT:

    Foundry takes pride in an environment which prioritizes our people. We insist that our people first culture builds the framework for all business operations.

    Employees have ample opportunities to voice thoughts, opinions, and ideas through weekly companywide meetings, monthly townhalls, and team outings and events.

    We emphasize the importance of each individual through engagement, teamwork, inclusion, and diversity efforts.

    We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

    ABOUT FOUNDRY:
    At Foundry, we are working toward a common goal of empowering a decentralized infrastructure. Our team is passionate about the future of finance and is looking for other like-minded individuals who share in this vision. While we are inclusive and diverse in workforce and style, we all agree that digital assets will change the world.

    Foundry was created to meet the institutional demand for better capital access, efficiency, and transparency in the digital currency mining and staking industry.

    As a Digital Currency Group company, Foundry taps unparalleled institutional expertise, capital, and market intelligence to provide North American bitcoin miners and global manufacturers with the resources to build, maintain, and secure decentralized networks.

    Disclaimer
    The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

  5. Post your job

    To find the right general agent for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with general agents they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit general agents who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your general agent job on Zippia to find and recruit general agent candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites such as salesjobs, salesheads, allretailjobs.com, sales trax.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit general agents, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new general agent

    Once you have selected a candidate for the general agent position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new general agent. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a general agent?

Before you start to hire general agents, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire general agents pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

The median annual salary for general agents is $39,307 in the US. However, the cost of general agent hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a general agent for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $12 and $26 an hour.

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