Working at Aon is a career and not just a job.

Editor’s note – Guest post by Mark Leon, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist at Aon.

Often you hear the terms “job” and “career” as interchangeable entities.

As a human resources specialist and professional explorer with a wealth of diversified industry experience, I can say that there is a tremendous difference. It is as different as a latte to coffee or a flip phone to an iPhone.

A job is a set of responsibilities that you do each and every day to earn a paycheck and provide for a  standard of living for yourself and your family. A career is a set of challenges and educational experiences that explore your creative senses, innovative philosophy and desire to learn and contribute to lives of others.

It is an experience that digs deep within your senses and your value system and provides nutrients to develop your intellectual and emotional self.

I have experienced the profit and non-profit worlds, hung out in the trenches of the defense sector, run with Wall Street, chartered the telecommunications and publishing worlds and have found a home with Aon. I was adopted by Aon when Hewitt Associates became part of this global culture.

Why is working at Aon a career and not a job?

1. Learning is embedded in this culture. Through a state of the art learning platform and well defined career paths, Aon provides associates with all the tools to set expectations for their own long term development.
2. We are continuously evolving. It is one thing to be part of a stable environment, but there is nothing more exhilarating than being part of an organization that not only shifts with changes in the environment but sets the trends.
3. Being recognized and rewarded for extraordinary performance. Through a wonderful financial and health benefits program and internal rewards programs, Aon not only promotes strong performance but rewards it in both financial and non-financial ways.
4. 26,000 global miles, all within arms length. Never before have I been part of a company that is in 120 plus countries and made cultural awareness so seamless. Through campaigns such as Aon Pass It On and various global talent communities of associates and alumni, Aon brings the world closer together.
5. The acceptance of new ideas is visible everywhere we turn. Aon has developed a culture built around autonomy and confidence where associates are given discretion to develop and implement original concepts.
6. Set up for the future. We have a high percentage of associates that are determined to complete their professional career with Aon. With all the challenging opportunities, financial rewards and wellness initiatives, Aon can be a home for your entire journey.
7. Aon associates are proud of who they are, the mission of the company and what we represent. It is a feeling you take with you each and every day.
8. The work is so rewarding. Our ultimate goal is to provide products and services that make our clients’ employees and their families safe, secure, healthy and valued. How do you not want to be a part of that?
9. Release your inner geek. Whether you are a programmer, mathematics whiz, database specialist or trainer, Aon offers opportunities to really use your creative juices for good. Technology jobs at Aon.

There you have it. When you are ready for your next career opportunity, think about Aon.

Complete listing of Career Opportunities with Aon

Aon employees are welcome to add to this list by commenting below – what’s one of your favorite career moments?

Meet Melissa Veigas – Benefits Analyst, Aon Toronto

 Editor’s note – guest post by Melissa Veigas, Benefits Analyst,  Aon Toronto

“I am energized to be part of an organization that is a leader in its industry. I consider this a stepping stone to success and expect a gratifying, remarkable and exciting journey with Aon!” 

My Aon Experience

I have been with Aon/Aon Hewitt for a little over a month and it is definitely a journey I am already enjoying. I first came across Hewitt Associates (now Aon Hewitt) at my former role with another organization four years ago.

My liaison always established how thoroughly professional this organization was. I then began researching the diverse products and services offered and the kind of work culture and structure. It definitely got me extremely interested in wanting to pursue a successful career with Aon Hewitt.

 

Fast Forward Four Years

I discovered a potential fit and formally went through the interviewing process, starting from phone interviews to individual and panel assessments. I was given an in-depth introduction to Aon Hewitt’s structure, culture and operations. After having gone through the various stages of recruitment, I was fortunate enough to have been offered an exciting opportunity! The journey that led me to this point was incredible, since I got acquainted with extremely helpful and professional individuals that work here.

Mark Leon, a member of the Talent Acquisition and Social Media group, was one such individual at Aon Corporation who was always set to lend a helping hand. The guidance and motivation I received was undeniably remarkable, which only deepened my interest for Aon. I received helpful interviewing tips and extensive information about Aon’s culture.

Mark’s interactive posts about different prospects within Aon on various social networking media channels were always an exciting path to discover opportunities.

 

A Day in the Life at Aon as a Benefits Analyst

My role primarily entails providing exemplary customer service to our clients in the area of benefits and payroll administration. A typical day in our team environment includes providing client support for benefits and payroll related processing, management of client inquiries and issue research and resolution. My team is made of individuals with deep benefits management knowledge, who have been nothing but encouraging. There is so much I can learn from them considering the vast amount of domain experience within our space.

My leadership and colleagues have been so helpful in knowledge sharing, acclimation and shadowing/training during my initial transition into Aon. Sometimes in life when you focus on where you want to take your career and have faith in the outcome, you do achieve your successes.  For me, Aon is a step in the right direction.

Benefits Career Opportunities – Full Listings

Toronto, Ontario Career Opportunities – Full Listings

 

Aon Employees: Do you have an Aon Experience to share? Post a comment here and we’ll respond within 24 hours.

Meet Larry Mirabile: His Aon Experience will Inspire

Editor’s note – guest post by Larry Mirabile, Test Lead, HR Business Process Outsourcing at Aon Hewitt.

Life Changes

Like many, my career was derailed during the economic downturn.

To hear the words “Thank you for your service” after 11.5 years of implementing Fortune 500 companies‘ 401(k) plans for my former employer, was devastating.

 

To hear the explanation in February 2009, that my performance was not considered when making the decision was little consolation.

The uncertainty of what lay ahead made me fear for my family’s security.  What hurt the most was that I cherished the relationships I had built and opportunities I received for over a decade.  I always felt a part of something bigger than myself.  It was sad because I thought those days were over for good.

Little did I know at the time, that eventually I would consider myself one of the “Lucky Ones.”

 

The Roller Coaster:  Life Changes Again

The firm I was working for announced they were moving from my home state of North Carolina to Florida in July 2010.  What appeared to be yet another set back was the blessing in disguise I had been waiting for.  My life and career dramatically changed for the better with one phone call.  That phone call was from a Hewitt recruiter who had done her homework and knew of my situation before she called.

When she asked if I was familiar with Hewitt I had to chuckle.  Of course I knew Hewitt!  Everyone in the HR,  BPO and Benefits industries knew Hewitt.  They were always a well respected and very tough competitor.  I worked closely with Hewitt on a project for a common client, IBM, several years before and remembered how impressed I was with the Hewitt people on the account.

 

How did I begin my Aon Experience?

The first thing I noticed about the recruiting experience with Aon Hewitt was that my recruiter listened and actually used my input in her search for the right role and overall fit for me.  We talked about my implementation experience, Quality Assurance, Benefits, and she got a real feel for my personality.

Preparation met opportunity and she found the perfect role for me, in the right Aon Hewitt organization, and on a great team.  I was such a strong fit that the role became virtual so I was not forced to relocate my family for a second time.  I felt comfortable from day one and my previous experience was valued and even sought out.  I listened, learned, asked questions, and learned some more.

Aon Hewitt’s virtual workforce strategy allows them to attract the best talent regardless of location and it shows!

 

Why do I Continue to Work at Aon Hewitt?  To Put a man on the moon.

During the early days of the “Space Race,” a business reporter did a story about NASA.  He asked a janitor what his job was.  The janitor looked back at him intently and said “My job is to put a man on the moon.”

Aon Hewitt is not NASA from the 1960s,  but their philosophy, vision, and goals are all very clear and very consistent.

I am energized every day that I go to work because I understand my role in something bigger than myself.  I strive to have a positive impact on the projects I work on, the service we give our clients, and most importantly the people I work with.

 

Even though I work remotely I have not felt this close to colleagues in a very long time.

Virtual tools like email, instant messaging, virtual conferencing and others are extremely valuable and are constantly being improved.  I also have had opportunity to travel to our home office in Lincolnshire, llinois.  Once again, the future looks bright because my company’s leadership is strong from top to bottom, financially solid, and mostly because I feel valued and want to contribute as much as I can.

For anyone that has gone through, or is going through, the same experience, there is hope.  There is a new tomorrow, as one chapter closes and a new one opens.  Luck is when opportunity meets preparation.

Rely on your friends, rely on your network, ask for help, listen and learn from others, overturn every stone, sell the best product in the world – you.

• Career Opportunities with Aon in HR Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)
• Link to Career Opportunities with Aon in Testing

 

Aon Employees: Do you have an Aon Experience to share? Post a comment here and we’ll respond within 24 hours.

A New Graduate’s Aon Experience

Guest post by Ashok Vishwanath, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Aon

My Aon Experience

It was a little over a year ago when I graduated college at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and as a recent college graduate entering the work force for the first time, I did not know what to expect. With a new change administering my life, I felt anxious and slightly uneasy, yet excited, not knowing how to perceive the change in the beginning.

All of my apprehensive feelings were put to bed when I met my immediate teammates welcoming me to the team and to the company.

To top off the warm welcome, I was treated to daily meet & greet lunches for the first week at work, which provided me the opportunity to meet several established individuals and leaders within my department right from the start.

 

Immediately I realized I was at a company that valued the people and the people valued each other. I felt at ease.

 

This was extremely significant to me; back in high school, I learned the importance of team work when I represented my State four times in the National Handball Championships. Maintaining good relationships with fellow peers and leveraging their input and advice has always been valuable to me. I strive to adhere to that philosophy at Aon.

Moreover, through networking events, community involvement and other open spotlight seminars/sessions with leaders of the organization, Aon provides several opportunities to help foster one’s career within the firm and to get involved in the organization outside of your immediate job function.

Taking advantage of some of the aforementioned opportunities has enabled me to meet, be-friend and network with other professionals from the different business units of Aon.

Additionally, I am part of the early career development program (ECD) which is a supplemental program for recent college graduates designed to develop careers here at Aon. Through this program I have undergone training on several business related topics and met similar, like-minded young professionals across the nation.

In light of my one year anniversary (February 14th) at Aon, as I continue my journey within the firm, I am proud to say that Aon has provided me with the perfect foundation for my career and exposed me to some of the brightest minds in the industry. Thank you Aon!

 

Meet the Aon Campus Recruiting Team

Early Career Development roles at Aon

Super Bowl Risks Tackled by Planners (Featuring Lori Shaw, Aon Risk Solutions)

Super Bowl Planners face risks and potential liabilities for the city of Indianapolis

*Quotes featured from this Business Insurance Magazine article.

Aon Corporation is a proud sponsor of Manchester United, but there’s another game that tends to garner a bit of attention in the United States and around the world. It’s Super Bowl time.

“The planning of an event the size and scope of the Super Bowl has been going on for years in advance of the event,” said Lori Shaw, director of sports and leisure in the entertainment practices group at Aon Risk Solutions in Charlotte, N.C.

“There are so many different stakeholders in an event like this,” said Ms. Shaw.

“The Super Bowl has become more than a football game,” said Chris Rogers, director of risk control, national entertainment group, at Aon Risk Solutions in Los Angeles. “It’s a weeklong event.”

It’s not just the Giants’ and Patriots’ risks of not bringing home the Vince Lombardi trophy. “Surrounding the game itself, risks range from slips and falls to acts of terrorism,” Ms. Shaw said.

Planning also has included “what happens if there’s a weather event that affects ingress and egress,” Ms. Shaw said in noting the need for contingency plans in case the venue becomes unavailable or the event has to be rescheduled.

The halftime show is another challenge, Mr. Rogers noted, “especially when they do things like, “Let’s bring in 400 or 500 young people to stand around the stage and dance.’”

In terms of insurance, “You’ve got quite a variety of markets that will participate in the insurance portfolio of an event like this,” Ms. Shaw said. General liability coverage for the Super Bowl will likely exceed $100 million, with additional coverage addressing media liability, property, coverage for sponsors of co-branded events and event-cancellation insurance.

In terms of Aon’s role in placing Super Bowl coverage, “We participate in pieces of it,” Ms. Shaw said.

Mr. Rogers noted that much of the Super Bowl risk management effort is actually focused on surrounding activities.

“Basically, I think where the impact will come with respect to the Super Bowl is not so much inside Lucas Field but at the ancillary events,” he said. “If I’m the organizer of an event like that, I’m going to have a very good checklist and work very closely with the fire marshal and other authorities.”

The structural risks in this Super Bowl Party feast are gastronomical.

Among facilities that Indianapolis code enforcement officials have been checking are tents, stages and even the massive XLVI Roman numerals greeting visitors in downtown Indianapolis’ Monument Circle.

From the city’s perspective, Brett Wineinger, Indianapolis’ property and risk manager, noted that the city is a self-insured entity with limited liability under Indiana law.

“For the Super Bowl, obviously this has been a two-year process of street and sidewalk and curb redevelopment, and pushing for additional insured coverage with our host committee on various contracts that impact us,” the Indianapolis risk manager said.

If you’re in the insurance and risk management communities, you know that a risk plan has been done well if it’s unseen.

Risk Management Career Opportunities with Aon

Here’s to seeing an exciting game, full of risky twists and turns, along with some memorable commercials.

 

Aon/Albert G. Ruben (AGR) – We Keep the Lights Shining Bright in Hollywood

Aon / Albert G. Ruben (Aon – AGR) is in the business of entertainment

Aon/Albert G. Ruben (Aon/AGR) is the retail entertainment insurance brokerage division of Aon Corp.  Aon/AGR has played a leading role in Hollywood and around the globe for 50 years.

Clients of Aon/AGR include major film studios, an impressive roster of the independent film community and U.S. prime-time television productions.

 

The division specializes in entertainment risk management, loss control services and claims advocacy. In addition to Aon/Albert G Ruben’s experienced team of entertainment insurance experts in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Toronto, Beijing and London, the division has colleagues located in 500 offices in more than 120 countries to place the most complex risks at the most competitive rates.

Here is what you don’t know about this fascinating part of the Aon Corporation business model.

 

Aon/Albert G. Ruben has developed a strong reputation and solid client foundation in the entertainment sector providing dedicated services in client management, sales, implementation and administration of property and casualty insurance during production and post-production.  By creating a strong teaming culture and building a foundation in a niche industry, Aon/AGR has created a family atmosphere with multi-tiered roles and integrated support from Aon business units around the globe.

Susan Weiss, Aon/Albert G. Ruben

As you sit on the couch or plan a family adventure to the movies, you can feel comfortable knowing the well-being of the actors and production crew were under close watch from behind the scenes.

Shows include Wipeout, Fear Factor, Big Brother, Ghost Hunters and Extreme Makeover – Home Edition to films Source Code, Swing Vote, A Serious Man, The Fourth Kind, Dolphin Tale and Joyful Noise.  They also have strong and lasting affiliations with studios and directors including insurance services for almost a dozen Woody Allen films.  Aon/AGR is a foundation in the entertainment world.

The Hurt Locker

 

In fact, Aon/AGR provided insurance coverage for The Hurt Locker, as many of you know won the Academy Award for Best picture of 2008 and Crash, winner in 2004.

Click here for full listing of projects insured by Aon/Albert G. Ruben

Our products and services and client management support extend far beyond the cameras rolling.  We provide insurance coverage support during non-shooting activities during production and post-production around promotion and marketing of a project.

Aon/AGR also plays a critical role in risk mitigation, providing safety experts support on-set to reduce the risk of harm or injury.

Doug Turk, Aon/Albert G. Ruben

 

The group is headed by Doug Turk, CEO of Aon/AGR.  We had the fortunate opportunity to talk to  Lorrie McNaught, Senior Vice-president who supports television and independent film contracts and Susan Weiss, Senior Vice-president supporting major film release clients.  Both expressed a feeling of family and saw each day as a challenge.  In an industry with high visibility and sustained deadlines, there are many solutions that need to be developed to meet time lines and ensure the spotlight is on the actors, films and shows.

“AGR, as the longest standing and most recognized broker in the Entertainment Insurance world, is a natural marriage with the history and globally recognized brand of Aon; contributing to Aon’s continuous path to create a truly diverse company and allowing us to envelop our clients with resources they need to protect their businesses in an ever revolving world of risk.” Says Ms. McNaught.

Lorrie McNaught, Aon/Albert G. Ruben

 

Aon/AGR is in our lives each and every day.  We may only see their name at the end of the credits but the work they do in pre-production, post-production and beyond is a vital part of the success of any project.  The partnerships developed and trust that ensues is a testimony to part of the Aon Family.

Next time, you laugh at Wipeout or Austin Powers, get baffled by Memento, shocked by Frailty or cry during The Notebook, remember that the well-being of each and every actor and crew member was under the Aon umbrella.

Visit http://www.aonagr.com for more information.

 

 

Follow Aon/Albert G. Ruben on LinkedIn

Check out current openings at all of Aon’s business units.

Oliver’s Aon Experience

Guest post by Oliver Valerio,  Bilingual Customer Service Associate with Aon at The Woodlands, Texas campus.

My Aon Experience

I met the company about 8 years ago in Mexico; I had the insurance of my car with Aon through my former university.

My first real contact with Aon Hewitt was at a Hispanic Job Fair in January 2011; there I met Alex Del Valle.

Alex talked to me about the company and informed me that Aon has an official sponsorship with Manchester United, the team where my co-nationality Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez was playing.
Alex was really nice and I started to get the feeling of the greatness of this company.

He suggested that I apply for the Customer Service Associate – Bilingual position. I applied immediately when I came home that afternoon. The New Year was starting, so when I filled out my online application, I could feel a great light brightening in my soul, I knew that year would be an awesome year for me.

The long-awaited answer did not come until 10 months later, but I did not lose the faith.

I remember that morning when I checked my email.

I saw an email subject that said something about an Aon Hewitt interview. The email explained everything about the recruitment process. Initially, I did not believe it was true, but when I read the content, I thought I misunderstood it, so I read it one more time. “Wow,” Aon Hewitt was trying to contact me because they wanted to interview me. I could not believe it, I said: Lord, you can do  everything, you do not believe in the improbable.

I replied immediately to the recruiter, I will never forget her name, Heather Larson, she was my angel. She asked me to schedule a phone interview, we scheduled it, and then before I knew it, the interview was done.

The following day, she called me back to let me know the interview results. I was approved for the next step in the process. Then, she explained the next steps. She was always was very polite, educated and professional. She always treated me with respect, made me feel very important, and advised me about the interview format. She was a key element in my success getting hired.

Then I had my face to face interview.

I met Alex Del Valle again, impressively he remembered me. Well, that was the most challenging interview I have ever had. Three different people, three different backgrounds, three managers versus me. In the end, the interview was an enriching experience for both; but more for me.

Like a London clock, Heather called me the next day to give me the sweetest answer she could say, “You got it, Oliver.” Then, she explained to me how the background investigation process works, so again, this step of the process was new for me. My official first day as part of Aon was December 5th of 2011.

I have learned a lot of new, exciting and useful things, but most of all I am learning to speak “Aon English,” because here everybody uses acronyms for everything.

Here everybody helps you.

The managers are completely open to hear your ideas and thoughts and work in an environment without limitations. My manager and her manager have understood my limitations with the English language, but they helped with that, so if you want to be successful at Aon, you sure can. Your future with Aon depends on you.

Well, like I have always said, I feel very blessed and fortunate to work in this company and in this place.
Even though I have a Bachelors degree and I used to work in Human Resource positions in Mexico, I came to the U.S. to work in construction, lawn maintenance, warehousing, fast food and water pipe maintenance.

I knocked on more doors than a door to door salesman and Aon was the company that opened its door and gave me the long-awaited opportunity.

So, I feel myself in heaven when I come everyday to work.
I see my workstation as a CEO’s office.

Before I used to have a shovel as my work tool, now I have a computer.
Before I used to take lunch sitting in the sidewalk, yard, or anywhere possible; now I take lunch in the best lunch area ever seen.
Before I used to take a break in front of a demolition area, now I take a break in front of a peaceful lake adorned with a beautiful fountain.

Being hired here has been my greatest professional success.

I expect a long and fruitful career – Thank you forever Aon!

 

Click here for career opportunities with Aon in The Woodlands, Texas

Customer service job openings with Aon