Writing a resume or CV for an insurance agent position requires a blend of professionalism and clarity. This article aims to guide you through the essential steps to create an effective insurance agent CV or resume. We’ll cover the key components such as your personal details, professional experience, educational background, and specific skills relevant to the insurance industry. Additionally, real-life examples will be provided to illustrate how to present your qualifications in a clear and concise manner.
Contents
Read The Job Description / Advert
The first step is, of course, to read the job description. We need to know what the firm is looking for so that we can properly highlight these characteristics in our CV. So read back over the job description and try to pinpoint the important points. A lot of times a firm will call things “required”; if you see this, you need to make sure you include that in your CV. Similarly, if certain things are repeated throughout the advert, this indicates they are of high importance, so we will want to make sure our CV shows that as well.
When performing this analysis, take care to copy the ‘exact’ words and phrases that are being used by the hiring manager. We will want to pepper these into our CV later.
Insurance Agent Job Description Example
Insurance Agent – Exciting Opportunity for a Dynamic Professional
Job Description:
We are seeking a motivated and client-focused Insurance Agent to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will be responsible for growing our client base by identifying potential clients and promoting our range of insurance products. The ideal candidate will have a knack for sales, excellent communication skills, and a deep understanding of the insurance industry.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement effective strategies to acquire new clients while maintaining strong relationships with existing ones.
- Provide professional and personalized insurance advice to clients, ensuring their needs and concerns are addressed.
- Stay updated on the latest insurance products and market trends to offer relevant solutions.
- Conduct thorough risk assessments to recommend appropriate insurance coverage.
- Collaborate with team members to reach business targets and contribute to the overall growth of the company.
- Handle policy renewals and modifications, ensuring a high level of client satisfaction.
- Address and resolve client inquiries and issues in a timely and effective manner.
- Participate in networking events and professional organizations to expand client base and professional knowledge.
Qualifications:
- Proven experience as an Insurance Agent or similar role.
- Strong understanding of insurance policies and legal guidelines.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in using insurance-related software and databases.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Strong ethical standards and a client-oriented approach.
- Relevant license to practice as an Insurance Agent.
What We Offer:
- A dynamic and supportive work environment.
- Opportunities for professional growth and development.
- A competitive remuneration package, including commission and bonuses.
- Comprehensive training and mentorship programs.
- Flexible work arrangements to balance your professional and personal life.
Join our team and be a part of a rewarding journey where your skills and passion for insurance can make a real difference in people’s lives. We value diversity and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds.
Research The Company
Time to put on your detective hat and do some research on your target company. Look at their website, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms. You are looking for any piece of intel that will give you the leg up.
- Find out about recent work/projects they have undertaken or will be embarking on (highlight your experience in these areas on your CV)
- Find out what software/processes they use and make sure you include your proficiency in them in your CV
- Learn what interview questions you might expect should you make it that far
See if you know anyone who works there and/or connect (LinkedIn) with people ahead of the interview. A little nepotism could never hurt, and you might be able to glean more information about the role/hiring process in the meantime.
Find A Good CV Template
When selecting a CV template, it’s essential to opt for a simple design and structure. Not only are straightforward layouts more compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), but they also make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to quickly identify and understand key details. A clutter-free and organized CV ensures that your most important information stands out, facilitating a smoother review process for potential employers.
This is the CV template that we recommend (click here)
Write 2 Or 3 Bullet Points As A ‘Professional Summary’
A handy approach is to craft three sentences: the first highlighting your qualifications and experience, the second showcasing your biggest professional achievement, and the third detailing your most recent experience.
Insurance Agent Professional Summary Example
- With over 10 years of experience in the insurance industry, holding a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation, expertise spans across a broad range of insurance products including life, health, and property insurance. Proficient in using CRM software such as Salesforce and adept in underwriting processes.
- Spearheaded a team that increased client retention by 30% in one year through innovative client engagement strategies and the implementation of a comprehensive client feedback system.
- Recently managed a portfolio of over 200 clients, focusing on tailoring insurance solutions to individual needs, utilizing data analytics tools like Tableau for risk assessment and policy customization.
Detail Your Employment History
Begin by listing your employment history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role. This allows potential employers to see your recent experience upfront, which holds greater value. Keep in mind that brevity is key.
As you go further back in time, reduce the level of detail to ensure your CV doesn’t exceed two pages. Employers are less likely to read lengthy CVs.
When writing about your responsibilities, focus on how you’ve excelled in your role as an Insurance Agent. For example, instead of simply stating “Handled client insurance claims,” you could say, “Efficiently processed over 300 client insurance claims, ensuring swift and accurate resolution, leading to a 40% increase in client satisfaction.” This way, you’re not just mentioning your task; you’re also highlighting your success in improving client satisfaction and your capability in managing a high volume of claims. This approach demonstrates your impact and effectiveness in your role.
Detail Your Education History
Keep your CV concise, aiming for a two-page limit. The education section can often be streamlined.
Highlight the most relevant qualifications. For instance, if you have a degree, your A-levels become less significant. Similarly, if you’re in the U.S., having an MBA overshadows your high school GPA.
Unless an older educational milestone is crucial for the job or highly pertinent, focus on showcasing your Bachelor’s degree, post-graduate studies, or professional certifications. If you lack these, mention your latest qualifications. Remember, having a Master’s suggests you’ve finished school, so no need to state the obvious. Only include your educational background if it’s pertinent to the job.
CV Structure
Tactically structure your CV to the ‘most wanted’ attributes of the job description. For example, if the job description values “qualified”, then place your qualifications first; if they want someone with RECENT experience, put your last job up top. If they want multiple years of experience, highlight your tenure.
We always recommend that you have a Professional Summary up top (after your name/contact info), as it will be the first thing that anyone reads. As discussed earlier, this should be tailored towards the job advert and showcase your experience and skills in what the employer is looking for.
A fairly typical structure would go:
- Name and contact info
- Professional Summary
- Current (or most recent employment)
- Education & Professional Qualifications
- Employment History
WHAT NOT TO DO
Now that we’ve discussed what you should be including in your CV, let’s look at some things that you should avoid doing.
- Do not include personal history or likes. Employers are not going to care about your hobbies, so unless you have some inside information that the hiring manager only hires people who play a particular sport, for example, then leave your extracurricular activities off your CV. This does not extend to things like volunteer or charity work. Definitely include that if you have the space.
- Do not list your skillset and the tools/applications you have experience with. It takes up valuable space and is often obvious (Skilled in Excel…?). Instead, include these in your achievements section (Example: “Used Asana to manage and coordinate tasks for a remote team of 25 members”).
- Do not include references or “references available on request”. If employers want a reference, they will ask you for them; otherwise, this is just wasted space on your CV.
- Do not include a photo of yourself unless specifically asked. In many countries, including the UK and US, you should not include a photo of yourself on your CV/resume. Companies don’t want you to do it, as it opens them up to liability, and there is absolutely nothing for you to gain by doing so – plus, you are making it easier for firms to discriminate against you, either implicitly or explicitly.
- Do not use any fancy graphic or artistic CV format. Most CVs come in a standard format, allowing Application Tracking Software, recruiters and hiring managers to easily pick out the key pieces of information they need quickly based on their experience. If you throw them a CV in an artistic format, they are more likely to get annoyed and throw your application away. This is not a situation where standing out is good. You want your skills/experience to be noted, not your CV format.
- Do not include your previous salaries. This will severely impact your negotiation abilities down the line.
Insurance Agent CV Tips – Recap
Let’s recap what we’ve discussed so far:
Tailor Your CV to the Insurance Industry
? Ensure your CV specifically reflects the skills and experiences relevant to an insurance agent. Highlight your understanding of insurance policies, customer service skills, and any insurance-specific certifications.
Highlight Your Achievements
✨ Instead of just listing your duties, focus on your accomplishments. Include statistics and results where possible, like “Increased sales by 20%” or “Improved customer retention by 30%.”
Professional Summary
? Start with a clear, concise professional summary. This should give a snapshot of your experience, skills, and what you bring to the role.
Relevant Experience
? List your work experience in reverse chronological order. Focus on roles that are relevant to being an insurance agent, and detail your responsibilities and achievements in these positions.
Education and Qualifications
? Include your educational background, especially if you have a degree or certifications in fields relevant to insurance or finance.
Skills Section
? Add a dedicated skills section. Include both hard skills (like knowledge of specific insurance software) and soft skills (like communication and problem-solving).
Clear, Concise Formatting
? Use a clean, professional format. Make sure your CV is easy to read with clear headings and bullet points.
Proofread
? Always proofread your CV. Typos or grammatical errors can make a bad impression.
Customize for Each Application
? Tailor your CV for each job you apply for. Highlight the experiences and skills that are most relevant to each specific role.
Insurance Agent CV Sample
Below is an example CV from someone with a number of years experience in the field. For an editable .DOCX version, click here.
