I get calls sometimes from people that want to get into adjusting but they have concerns about the computer work that will be required. One gentleman in particular told me that he knew nothing about computers at all and worried if this would prevent him from being able to work as an adjuster.
Computers are a part of the adjusting world and are here to stay, but it's not as bad as you might think to learn. I related a story to this gentleman about my own experience.
When I first started as an adjuster I had been working for a contractor...a roofing and remodeling company. All of the estimates we wrote were hand written, NONE of them were with a computer estimating program, so when I started adjusting I continued to hand write my estimates (at that time you still could). But after several months I was told that ALL estimates from that day forward had to be written on the computer using the designated program.
Scared wasn't the word. Terrified was more like it.
I didn't own a computer, and didn’t even know how to turn one on!
But I was determined to make it. I bought a lap top with the guidance of an office manager, and let them load the program. I took a deep breath and started trying to figure the darn thing out. What I found was that my fear of the computer was worse than it really turned out to be.
You don't have to be a computer wiz kid to write an estimate. Most of the programs are pretty easy to maneuver around in once you get used to them. And most all of them have drawing programs built in for your diagrams.
Don't let the fear of computers hold you back. If you have made the decision to get into adjusting, get your computer and start getting familiar with it. Get familiar with the internet connections, and get an e-mail address.
The two most common estimating programs used are MSB and Xactimate. You can get a training disk if you call and request one. Load these and start practicing. The more you practice and get used to maneuvering around the more confident you will become.