How to create a standout insurance resume: 7 tips for new and experienced professionals

Whether you’re an industry veteran with decades of experience or a professional just starting out, creating a standout insurance resume in the insurance sector is critical for securing your next role. The insurance industry is vast, covering everything from underwriting to claims adjusting, actuarial science, risk management, and brokerage. With so many facets to the field, your resume needs to clearly demonstrate your expertise, skills, and value to prospective employers. Insurance companies, agencies, and brokerages have specific needs, and tailoring your resume to reflect those can significantly boost your visibility in a competitive hiring market. 

Here’s how you can create an exceptional resume that meets the unique needs of the insurance industry. 

1. Customize for the role and sector 

The insurance sector is incredibly diverse. While an underwriter, claims adjuster, and actuary all work in the same industry, their job functions, skills, and priorities differ greatly. This is why it’s crucial to tailor your insurance resume for each specific role and sector you are applying for. 

Underwriting: Highlight your analytical skills, experience with risk assessments, and knowledge of industry-specific underwriting software such as RMS, AIR, or RiskIQ. Include any certifications like the CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) to demonstrate your dedication to the field. 

Claims Adjusting: Focus on your negotiation abilities, understanding of insurance policies, and knowledge of claims management systems like Guidewire or Symbility. If you’ve managed a high volume of claims or specialized in certain types of claims (e.g., property, casualty, workers’ compensation), make that clear. 

Actuarial Science: Emphasize your experience with actuarial modeling, data analysis, and software like SAS, R, or Prophet. Include professional designations, such as the ASA (Associate of the Society of Actuaries) or FSA (Fellow of the Society of Actuaries). 

For those just starting out, focus on transferable skills such as data analysis, communication, and research abilities. For seasoned professionals, provide specific metrics that show the impact of your work (e.g., “reduced underwriting loss by 15% through improved risk assessment protocols”). 

2. Highlight industry-specific skills and certifications 

Certifications are particularly valued in the insurance industry. This part of your tailored insurance resume not only showcases your commitment to professional development but also indicates your knowledge of key industry regulations and standards. 

For Experienced Professionals: If you’ve been in the industry for years, you’ve likely acquired certifications that should take center stage on your resume. Whether you’ve earned the CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter), CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter), AIC (Associate in Claims), or ARM (Associate in Risk Management), list them in a dedicated section near the top of your resume. This immediately signals to employers that you have the specialized knowledge needed for the job. 

For New Professionals: For those newer to the field, certifications like the AINS (Associate in General Insurance) or licensing in specific insurance areas (such as life and health or property and casualty) can help you stand out. You can also showcase any industry-relevant coursework from your degree, especially if you haven’t yet earned major certifications. 

In both cases, be sure to include any training you’ve undergone related to specific software tools that are used in the industry. Proficiency with management systems, customer relationship management (CRM) tools, and data analytics platforms is often a requirement. 

3. Showcase key achievements with data and metrics 

Hiring managers in the insurance industry are looking for candidates who can demonstrate tangible results. Simply listing your responsibilities isn’t enough—you need to provide specific examples of how your work benefited your employer. 

Examples for Experienced Professionals: 

• “Increased policy retention rates by 25% over three years through the implementation of targeted customer communication strategies.” 

• “Reduced claims processing time by 20% by streamlining internal workflows and improving team training.” 

Examples for New Professionals: 

• “Assisted in the review of over 300 client policies, identifying gaps in coverage and potential upsell opportunities.” 

• “Analyzed customer data to identify trends that led to a 10% improvement in targeted marketing efforts.” 

Using quantifiable data on your carefully crafted insurance resume allows hiring managers to see the real impact of your contributions. 

4. Use action verbs and industry terminology 

The language you use on your resume is important. Hiring managers and automated resume scanning systems (ATS) will be looking for specific industry terminology and action-oriented language that reflects your role within the company. 

For example, terms like “assessed,” “underwrote,” “analyzed,” “calculated,” “negotiated,” and “investigated” are commonly associated with the day-to-day tasks in insurance roles. 

Using strong action verbs paired with industry-specific terminology not only makes your resume clearer but also helps ensure that it passes through ATS filters, which many insurance companies use to sift through applications. 

5. Optimize for applicant tracking systems (ATS) 

Many insurance companies and brokerages use ATS to streamline the hiring process. While ATS systems help employers manage the influx of resumes, they can also pose a challenge if your resume isn’t formatted or keyword-optimized correctly. 

To increase your chances of getting through an ATS, follow these guidelines: 

• Keywords: Use industry-specific keywords that are included in the job description. For instance, if the job requires experience in “claims management” or “risk assessment,” include these phrases in your resume. 

• Simple Formatting: Avoid overly complex layouts, graphics, or fonts that ATS might not be able to parse. Stick to standard headings like “Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills.” 

• No Tables or Columns: These can confuse the system. A straightforward, single-column format is best. 

6. Showcase soft skills 

While technical skills are essential in the insurance industry, don’t underestimate the importance of soft skills. Insurance is a customer-focused industry, and professionals are expected to be adept communicators, problem-solvers, and team players. 

Key Soft Skills to Highlight: 

• Communication: Whether you’re explaining complex policy details to clients or negotiating settlements, the ability to communicate effectively is crucial. Demonstrate this by including examples of customer satisfaction or successful negotiations. 

• Attention to Detail: Accuracy is paramount when it comes to underwriting, claims handling, or policy drafting. Use examples that highlight your ability to catch errors or streamline processes. 

• Problem-Solving: Insurance is about mitigating risk and solving problems, often under pressure. Provide examples of how you identified potential issues before they became larger problems, or how you helped resolve complex claims disputes. 

7. Stay current and adaptable 

The insurance industry is rapidly evolving, particularly with the adoption of new technologies like AI, blockchain, and advanced data analytics. Highlighting your adaptability and willingness to embrace new tools and methodologies can set you apart from other candidates. 

If you’ve taken part in any professional development, industry conferences, or training programs related to InsurTech or emerging trends, be sure to include those on your insurance resume. This demonstrates that you’re staying up to date with the latest advancements and are ready to bring fresh perspectives to your next role. 

A standout resume in the insurance industry needs to be tailored, results-oriented, and reflective of both your technical expertise and your soft skills. By customizing your resume for the specific role, showcasing key achievements with metrics, and optimizing it for ATS, you’ll increase your visibility and stand out in a crowded hiring market. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your insurance career, following these strategies can significantly improve your chances of landing the job you want. 

At The James Allen Companies, we want you to always give your potential employer the best possible picture of your education, certifications, talents and skills. Reach out or search our open positions to see what could be next for your career.