Sales Academy Trainee - Chicago

MetLife; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model (3 days in-office)

Job summary

MetLife, the nation’s leading provider of group benefits, is seeking a Sales Trainee in a 9-month program with a hybrid work model in Chicago. You will learn the employee benefits industry, MetLife’s group benefits, and professional selling skills to prepare for an Account Executive role within Group Benefits Sales.

You will participate in the Sales Academy, support brokers and clients, and develop skills in communication, negotiation, and relationship building, guided by a seasoned mentor.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the MetLife organization and industry information, including brokers, customers, and competitive landscape.
• Interpersonal skills, verbal and written communication, presentation, business judgment, computer skills, ability to lead and influence, analytical and organizational skills.
• Ability to obtain Life, Accident and Health, and Property & Casualty licenses.
• Willingness to relocate prior to, and upon completion of, the program.
• 0-5 years of related work experience.
• Preferred or equivalent Bachelor's degree.
• Ability to travel and drive to meetings with internal and/or external partners.

Responsibilities

• Participate in and complete the Sales Academy Program with trainings led by experts across Group Benefits.
• Support the sales office by meeting with brokers or customers, making cold calls, conducting enrollment meetings or benefit fairs, providing post-sale service and interaction with clients, and assisting the account executives with their territories.
• Build sales competencies including communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship building skills.
• Develop an understanding of the Group Benefits products and services including Disability, Dental, Life, Auto & Home, MetLife Legal, and Critical Illness.
• Work with a mentor to learn about the products and services offered by MetLife.
• Ability to use approved AI tools to support routine tasks and improve efficiency.
• Understanding of AI capabilities and ability to validate outputs with guidance.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal and written communication

Presentation skills

Analytical

Relationship building

Organizational skills

Travel and driving to meetings

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent experience

Job description

Description and Requirements

The Team You Will Join

Join the nation’s largest non-medical carrier of group insurance, where your work will impact over 55,000 customers and cover more than 50 million employees and family members. As part of MetLife’s Group Benefits team, you’ll deliver innovative benefits solutions - life, disability, dental, vision, and voluntary benefits - tailored to today’s employers and workforces. Collaborate with customers, brokers, and partners to expand our offerings and reimagine digital experiences. Join us and be part of an organization committed to supporting customers when they need us most.

The Opportunity

As a sales trainee, you will complete a 9-month sales training program which includes a combination of structured classroom and on-the-job learning with a focus on building an understanding of the employee benefits industry, MetLife’s group benefits and professional selling skills. Successful completion of the program will prepare you to apply for an account executive position within our Group Benefits Sales organization. Guided by our purpose - always with you building a more confident future - and our [1] New Frontier strategy focused on stronger growth, attractive returns and all-weather performance, this is an exciting opportunity to work with leaders across Group Benefits.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in and complete the Sales Academy Program which includes trainings led by subject matter experts across Group Benefits
• Support the sales office by meeting with brokers or customers, making cold calls, conducting enrollment meetings or benefit fairs, providing post-sale service and interaction with clients, and assisting the account executives with their territories
• Build sales competencies - including communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship building skills
• Develop an understanding of the Group Benefits products and services - including Disability, Dental, Life, Auto & Home, MetLife Legal, and Critical Illness
• Work effectively with a seasoned sales professional who serves as a mentor in educating the trainee to the various product and services offered by MetLife.
• Ability to use approved AI tools to support routine tasks such as drafting, summarizing, organizing information and improving day-to-day efficiency
• Working knowledge of AI capabilities with the ability to evaluate and validate outputs with guidance

Required Qualifications

• Knowledge of the MetLife organization, as well as industry information, including an understanding of brokers, customers, and competitive landscape
• Interpersonal skills, verbal and written communication skills, presentation skills, sound business judgment, computer skills, ability to lead and influence, analytical, relationship building and organizational skills
• The ability to obtain Life, Accident and Health, and Property & Casualty licenses.
• Willingness to relocate prior to, and upon completion of, the program
• 0-5 years of related work experience
• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent experience
• Ability to travel and drive to meetings with internal and/or external partners

Preferred Qualifications

• 2-5 years of sales experience

Knowledge of the MetLife organization, as well as industry information, including an understanding of brokers, customers, and competitive landscape

Location Expectation: This is a hybrid role requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in office.

The expected salary range for this position is $50,000-$65,000. This role may also be eligible for annual short-term incentive compensation. All incentives and benefits are subject to the applicable plan terms.

About MetLife

Recognized on Fortune magazine's list of the "World's Most Admired Companies", Fortune World’s 25 Best Workplaces™, as well as the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For®, MetLife, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world’s leading financial services companies; providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. With operations in more than 40 markets, we hold leading positions in the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

As part of our New Frontier strategy, MetLife is building an AI-enabled, people-centered future. We’re looking for people who bring curiosity, adaptability, and a growth mindset as we use AI to enhance how we serve customers, support communities, and evolve the way work gets done. At MetLife, AI is a responsible partner that supports human judgment, creativity, and continuous improvement while helping us build trust, inclusion, and long-term value.

Our purpose is simple - to help our colleagues, customers, communities, and the world at large create a more confident future. United by purpose and guided by our core values - Win Together, Do the Right Thing, Deliver Impact Over Activity, and Think Ahead - we’re inspired to transform the next century in financial services. At MetLife, it’s [1] #AllTogetherPossible. Join us!

MetLife is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are made without regards to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status (although applicants and employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States), uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law ("protected characteristics").

If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at [e-mail]. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application process.

MetLife maintains a drug-free workplace.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liabilities.

This posting is for a current vacancy and is anticipated to remain open for at least 90 days from the listed posting date.References

Visible links1. https://www.metlifecareers.com/ml/GreatPlaceToWork