Underwriter Resume Examples

Writing a standout underwriter resume can feel like walking a tightrope without a net. When you’re skilled in assessing credit, risk, and financial details, crafting a compelling resume might feel outside your comfort zone. Many underwriters find themselves lost in industry jargon, unsure of how to translate their skills into eye-catching bullet points. Add to that the pressure of job hunting, and it’s easy to see why you might feel overwhelmed. This guide is designed to help you turn those underwriting skills into a powerful resume that opens doors to new opportunities. Let’s tackle those resume-writing problems together and ensure you present your career story in the best light.

Your resume is more than just a document; it’s your ticket to future career success. Using the right template ensures your skills shine and your experience is properly highlighted. Choose a professional design that not only looks good but helps your expertise pop off the page.

We’ve got more than 700 resume examples to help you on your journey to crafting that perfect underwriter resume!

What to focus on when writing your underwriter resume

A strong underwriter resume should clearly convey your analytical skills, decision-making abilities, and deep knowledge of risk assessment to the recruiter. Emphasize your proficiency in evaluating financials and handling complex datasets while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Showcasing your success in minimizing risk and optimizing profitability will set you apart.

Key Points to Include:

• Proven experience in underwriting with specific examples of successful risk assessment.
• Strong understanding of industry-related regulations and compliance standards.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in relevant software and financial analysis tools.

Must have information on your underwriter resume

When crafting your underwriter resume, certain sections are essential to showcase your qualifications effectively:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Work Experience
• Education
• Skills
• Certifications

You should also consider adding additional sections like Professional Associations and Software Proficiency to make your resume stand out even more. Tailoring your resume to these sections can help you make a strong impression on hiring managers.

Which resume format to choose

For an underwriter resume, a reverse-chronological format is best because it highlights your work experience and career progression, which is crucial in the finance industry. When choosing fonts, consider modern options like Rubik and Montserrat for a fresh and professional look. Always save your resume as a PDF to ensure it keeps its formatting and is easy to open on any device. Keep your margins to one inch on all sides to make your resume look clean and readable. Use clear section headings to help Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan and sort your resume efficiently.

An underwriter resume should have the following sections:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Work Experience
• Education
• Skills
• Certifications
• Awards
• Professional Affiliations

Resume Mentor's free resume builder takes care of all these details for you, ensuring a polished and ATS-friendly resume.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

Writing the experience section of your underwriter resume can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Start by placing your most recent job experience first and work backward. Generally, you shouldn't go back more than 10-15 years, unless older experience is particularly relevant. Focus on job titles that are directly related to underwriting to make your resume more relevant.

Tailoring your resume to the job you're applying for is key. This means highlighting experience and skills that align with the specific requirements of the job posting. Use strong, action verbs like "analyzed," "evaluated," and "enhanced" rather than passive words. Numbers and percentages speak louder than responsibilities, so include them to show your achievements.

Here’s an example of an underwriter resume experience section that's poorly written:

This example is weak because it uses vague descriptions and lacks quantifiable achievements. You can't tell what impact the underwriter had, and the language is unengaging.

Now, here’s an example of a strong underwriter resume experience section:

This example stands out because it highlights clear achievements and uses specific, quantifiable data. It shows the candidate's impact in previous roles, making it easy for the employer to see the value they could bring. This approach makes your resume much more compelling and effective.

Underwriter resume experience examples

Here comes the underwriting section—don't worry, we'll "cover" all you need to know! Dive in and discover key ways to make your experience shine bright on your resume.

Achievement-focused

Highlight your key achievements to show you hit your targets and went beyond.

Skills-focused

Showcase the skills critical for underwriting, like analytical thinking and attention to detail.

Responsibility-focused

Share the responsibilities you handled to demonstrate your trustworthiness and dedication.

Project-focused

Detail specific projects you managed or contributed to in the underwriting field.

Result-focused

Share the tangible results you've achieved, such as revenue growth or improved processes.

Industry-Specific Focus

Emphasize expertise within a particular sector, such as auto, health, or home insurance.

Problem-Solving focused

Highlight your knack for identifying and resolving issues efficiently.

Innovation-focused

Share how you’ve brought innovative solutions or ideas to the table.

Leadership-focused

Showcase your ability to lead teams and projects.

Customer-focused

Focus on how you enhance customer experiences and provide exceptional service.

Growth-focused

Detail how you’ve contributed to company growth and expansion.

Efficiency-focused

Illustrate how you’ve streamlined processes and improved efficiency.

Technology-focused

Describe your experience with underwriting technology and software.

Collaboration-focused

Showcase your ability to work well with others across various departments.

Training and Development focused

Highlight your role in training and mentoring others in the underwriting field.

Write your underwriter resume summary section

Writing a resume summary for an underwriter position requires clarity and focus. You want to highlight your key skills, experiences, and achievements succinctly. This section should serve as a quick overview of your professional identity and qualifications. Use strong yet simple language that a sixth-grader can understand.

When describing yourself in the resume summary, focus on showcasing your expertise and unique qualities. Stick to a few strong sentences that capture your career achievements and relevant skills. Use active verbs and specific metrics when possible, as they make your qualifications stand out.

A resume summary is different from a resume objective or profile. A summary highlights your career achievements and significant skills. It is ideal for professionals with extensive experience. A resume objective is suitable for those new to the field or changing careers, emphasizing future goals rather than past experience. A resume profile is a mix of both, focusing on skills and experiences, but it is more generic. Lastly, a summary of qualifications is a bullet-point list of your top skills and achievements, offering quick insights into your capabilities.

Now, let’s look at two examples:

The first example is not effective. It is vague and lacks specific details. Phrases like "many years" and "done a lot" are not quantifiable and don't offer unique insights. Saying "I am good at making decisions" is too general and not supported by evidence.

The second example is concise and specific. It mentions over 10 years of experience and quantifies achievements like a 20% reduction in claim payouts. Phrases like "Proven track record" and "Adept at using advanced underwriting software" provide a clear picture of your skills and accomplishments, making you a compelling candidate.

Listing your underwriter skills on your resume

Writing your skills section for your underwriter resume involves showcasing both your strengths and the specific abilities you excel at. Skills can appear as a standalone section or be incorporated into your experience and summary sections. Your strengths might include your unwavering attention to detail and ability to communicate complex ideas clearly. Soft skills are personal attributes like interpersonal communication and adaptability, while hard skills are technical abilities that you’ve learned, like financial analysis and risk assessment.

Skills and strengths can also serve as resume keywords, helping your resume get noticed by applicant tracking systems (ATS) and hiring managers. Strategically planting these terms in various sections of your resume enhances your chances of passing through automated filters and catching the eye of human recruiters.

Example of a standalone skills section:

What makes this skills section good is its clarity and relevance. Each skill listed directly relates to underwriter duties, which means it’s perfectly curated for the role. These specific skills are the traits that employers are looking for, and having them in one easily readable section helps your resume stand out.

Best hard skills to feature on your underwriter resume

Hard skills are technical and specific abilities that you have acquired through training or experience. For an underwriter, these skills should convey your competence in managing risks, analyzing financial data, and understanding compliance.

Best soft skills to feature on your underwriter resume

Soft skills are personal attributes that help you interact effectively with others. For an underwriter, these skills should communicate your ability to manage tasks, work in teams, and communicate effectively.

How to include your education on your resume

The education section is an important part of your underwriter resume. A well-crafted education section highlights your qualifications. It should be tailored to the job you are applying for, so leave out any irrelevant education. You should include your GPA if it’s above 3.5 and relevant. Cum laude or other honors can make your education section stand out. Clearly list your degree with the proper title and the institution’s name.

This example is not ideal. The degree is not relevant to an underwriting job. A low GPA is listed, which can be a drawback.

This example is strong. The degree is relevant to being an underwriter. The GPA is high and listed. The dates are accurate and make sense. The information is concise and pertinent to the job.

How to include underwriter certificates on your resume

The certificates section is an important part of your underwriter resume. Including relevant certifications can make your application stand out and show that you have the qualifications. You can even add certificates in the header to ensure they are easily seen.

Start by listing the name of the certificate. Include the date you received it to show how recent your skills are. Add the issuing organization to show credibility. For example, in the header, you could put: "Certified Insurance Underwriter (2022) - The Institutes".

A good standalone certificates section would look like this:

This example is good because it lists relevant certifications that align with an underwriter's job. The certificates are issued by reputable organizations, adding credibility to your qualifications. Including the date shows your credentials are up to date, which is crucial in the insurance field. Having these certificates can make you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.

Extra sections to include in your underwriter resume

Creating a compelling resume as an underwriter involves emphasizing specialized skills, experiences, and qualities that make you stand out. Including various sections in your resume can paint a more comprehensive picture for potential employers. Here's how to integrate different elements effectively and what benefits they offer:

• Language section — Demonstrate your proficiency in multiple languages to show versatility and the ability to work with diverse clients or markets. Highlighting languages can give you an edge in international or multicultural firms.

• Hobbies and interests section — Illustrate your well-rounded personality and stress management skills. Sharing interests can create a personal connection with the hiring manager and show that you're engaged in self-care outside of work.

• Volunteer work section — Showcase your commitment to community and leadership qualities. Including volunteer experience highlights your ability to manage responsibilities and work in team settings, essential traits for an underwriter.

• Books section — Show your commitment to continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends. Mentioning relevant books helps underline your dedication to personal and professional growth and can spark meaningful conversations during interviews.

These sections add depth to your resume, making you appear as a holistic candidate. Potential employers can gain insights into both your hard and soft skills, enhancing your appeal for the role.

Pair your underwriter resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a document that accompanies your resume when you apply for a job. It provides a brief introduction of yourself, explains why you are interested in the position, and highlights your most relevant skills and experiences. A well-crafted cover letter can help you stand out from other applicants by showing your enthusiasm and giving a personal touch to your application.

For an underwriter position, your cover letter should focus on your analytical skills, attention to detail, and experience with risk assessment. Mention any specific software you are proficient in and provide examples of your successful decision-making in previous roles. Highlighting your ability to work well under pressure and communicate effectively with clients will also be beneficial.

Start crafting your standout cover letter using Resume Mentor's cover letter builder. It's simple to use, and exporting your letter as a PDF ensures that your content and formatting are preserved and protected.