Sales Trainee

Job Description

Sales Academy Trainee – McLean, VA | MetLife

The Tone:
This is a full-time sales trainee position for a 9-month program at MetLife, located in McLean, VA. MetLife operates as the nation’s largest non-medical carrier of group insurance, where its Group Benefits team delivers solutions—including life, disability, dental, vision, and voluntary benefits—impacting over 55,000 customers and covering more than 50 million employees and family members. This role is a significant opportunity to complete structured classroom and on-the-job learning, focused on building a deep understanding of the employee benefits industry, MetLife’s group benefits offerings, and essential professional selling skills. Successful completion prepares trainees for an Account Executive position within MetLife’s Group Benefits Sales organization.

The TL;DR
• Role: Trainee
• Location: In-person McLean, VA
• Pay: $50000–$60000 yearly
• Team: Group Benefits Sales
• Mission: To successfully complete a 9-month sales training program that builds understanding of the employee benefits industry, MetLife’s group benefits, and professional selling skills, preparing for an Account Executive role.
• Tech Stack: Approved AI tools

What You’ll Actually Do
• Program Participation: Actively participate in and successfully complete the comprehensive 9-month Sales Academy Program, which includes structured classroom learning and on-the-job training led by subject matter experts across Group Benefits.
• Client and Sales Support: Provide critical support to the sales office through direct engagement with brokers and customers, involving cold calls, conducting enrollment meetings or benefit fairs, delivering post-sale service, and assisting account executives with their territories.
• Skill Development: Systematically build and refine essential sales competencies, including strong communication, compelling presentation, effective negotiation, and robust relationship building skills.
• Product Mastery: Develop a thorough understanding of MetLife’s diverse Group Benefits products and services, encompassing Disability, Dental, Life, Auto & Home, MetLife Legal, and Critical Illness offerings, guided by a seasoned sales professional mentor.
• AI Tool Utilization: Utilize approved AI tools to support routine tasks such as drafting, summarizing information, and organizing data, while also developing a working knowledge of AI capabilities and the ability to evaluate outputs with guidance.

The Must-Haves
• Background: This is an entry-level opportunity for candidates with 0-5 years of related work experience, requiring a Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent experience. Candidates must demonstrate knowledge of the MetLife organization and broader industry information, including an understanding of brokers, customers, and the competitive landscape within group insurance.
• Experience: 0-5 years of related work experience.
• Skills: Possess strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, effective presentation abilities, sound business judgment, and computer proficiency. Demonstrate the ability to lead and influence, strong analytical capabilities, relationship building acumen, and excellent organizational skills.
• Licenses & Mobility: The ability to obtain required Life, Accident and Health, and Property & Casualty licenses is essential. Candidates must also have a willingness to relocate prior to and upon completion of the program, and the ability to travel and drive to meetings with internal and/or external partners.
• Bonus: 2-5 years of sales experience is a preferred qualification for this role.