Claims Adjuster Resume Example
Working as a claims adjuster can provide a rewarding career, involving investigating insurance claims and negotiating with claimants. For a successful claims adjuster application, you'll want to submit a professional resume that showcases your relevant skills. In this article, we'll explain how to write a winning resume for claims adjuster applications that best showcases your skills and experience.
This complete guide to a claims adjuster resume will equip you with the tools you need to compete in your applications. The article will take you through the key steps of creating a resume that presents your key skills, qualities and career achievements in a format that employers favor. It will also help you tailor your resume according to your unique skills and experience level. Read on to access expert insights from Jobseeker that will help you create a winning claims adjuster resume.
Main elements of a claims adjuster resume
A successful claims adjuster resume will typically include each of the sections listed below, with some optional sections.
For junior and entry-level claims adjuster positions, you may be short on work experience to include in your resume. Select a resume layout that emphasizes your skills and qualifications, such as a functional format. Likewise, an entry-level resume might focus more on soft and transferable skills, as well as details about internships, voluntary work or relevant training you've completed.
For those with some prior experience as a claims adjuster work experience is the most important element of a resume. Use a traditional, reverse-chronological resume format to emphasize your career timeline and achievements. Rather than simply listing your responsibilities in each role, show the impact you made and offer evidence that demonstrates the skills and experience listed in the job description.
If you're applying for senior claims adjuster positions, you'll want to list career achievements and successes that emphasize your senior status. Use a reverse-chronological format and add extra sections to show key career highlights. Some elements to include in a senior resume for maximum impact might include awards, publications, conference presentations or professional memberships. By adding these sections, it's likely that your resume will be longer than a junior resume.
Your resume layout and structure may differ depending on your experience levels, but make sure your resume includes the following:
Header and Personal Information
The resume header is the place to add your name and contact details, along with your LinkedIn URL if you have a profile, so employers can find more information about your career journey and skills. You don't typically need to add a photo, or any other personal information to this section. Make sure your resume header is as brief as possible and doesn't take up too much valuable space. Choose a clear, professional design that sets the tone for your application.
Use an email address that's professional and appropriate for professional communication. Typically this would be an email address based on your first and last name, or your initials. If necessary, you could include your profession or another unique identifier. Avoid using old email addresses that could be considered unprofessional or inappropriate. Additionally, always check your contact details before sending your resume to ensure they're up-to-date.
Riley Davis
riley.davis@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
0001 Cemetery Lane, New York, NY
linkedin․com/in/riley–davis123
Resume Summary
The next section is the resume summary. The section might also be called 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. This is a brief introduction to you, your key skills and your career achievements and ambitions. While a resume summary focuses on your career achievements and experience, a resume objective typically focuses on your ambitions for the future. Always make sure your summary reflects the job description and highlights some of the key skills required for claims adjuster roles.
Alternatively, use this summary to introduce your personal career ambitions and explain why claims adjuster roles are a good fit for you at this stage of your career.
A good resume summary reflects the job description and highlights some of the key skills required for claims adjuster roles, while leaving the reader with an impression of your unique qualities and strengths. The most effective resume summaries also provide evidence to back up the claims made in them. See below for some great examples of how to approach your claims adjuster resume.
Good example:
Detail-oriented and analytical Claims Adjuster with a Bachelor of Science in Risk Management and Insurance and extensive experience as an Insurance Claims Specialist. Proficient in evaluating, negotiating, and settling claims with a strong focus on accuracy and compliance. Adept at assessing risk, managing client relationships, and utilizing advanced claims management software to ensure efficient and fair outcomes. Highly skilled in both individual and collaborative work environments with a proven track record of delivering exceptional service and achieving resolution targets
Bad example:
Worked in insurance with a degree in something related. Have experience looking at claims and talking to people about them. Use computer programs to help with work. Good at working alone or with others. Have done well in past jobs
On the other hand, an unsuccessful resume summary is one that mentions irrelevant skills, qualities and achievements and fails to differentiate you from other candidates. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your claims adjuster resume summary.
Work Experience
Your resume work experience section is the chance to show your relevant previous jobs and career achievements as a claims adjuster. Mention only the most appropriate and relevant jobs you've had in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent and working backwards. Add your job title, the name of the employer, the location of the role and your dates of employment.
In addition, include a few bullet points under each job, highlighting your key achievements so the hiring manager can see how they led to successful outcomes. Back up each point with evidence to show how you meet the job description.
A good resume work experience section includes your most relevant previous jobs and highlights your key achievements in each role. To make the best possible impression on hiring managers, make sure each entry in your work experience section references skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you added value to each role with quantifiable evidence and outcomes. See the examples below for some ideas of what a great resume work experience looks like.
Good example:
Insurance Claims Specialist, January 2022 - Present
EquiSure Claims Services, Long Beach
- Successfully reduced claim processing time by 30% through the implementation of new digital tracking systems and streamlined procedures
- Trained and mentored a team of 15 junior claims adjusters, resulting in a 25% increase in departmental efficiency
- Recovered over $1.2 million in fraudulent claims through meticulous investigation and collaboration with legal and law enforcement agencies
Bad example:
Insurance Claims Specialist, January 2022 - Present
EquiSure Claims Services, Long Beach
- Improved processes to enhance efficiency and productivity within the department
- Provided guidance and support to team members
- Contributed to the identification and resolution of complex issues
Above, you can see a weaker example of a resume work experience section to best avoid. A bad resume work experience section might fail to address skills and achievements that relate directly to the job description. Falling back on clichés, vague descriptions and basic responsibilities, rather than showing the impact you made, is likely to disengage the reader.
Educational Achievements
The education section provides space to list your highest and most recent academic achievements that are relevant to working as a claims adjuster.
A claims adjuster role tends to require candidates to have a university or college degree, so make sure you list yours in your resume. A Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree or similar is the most suitable for this job, but you could also include any other relevant qualifications that show your negotiation and settlement or damage assessment techniques.
For each entry in this section, add the name and level of your qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study. You could also add one or two bullet points to draw attention to your grades if they were particularly good, as well as any specialist subjects you studied. This will help the hiring manager understand your knowledge and special skills better.
Membership or leadership of any societies, clubs or causes while studying can also make a positive impression on hiring managers. Consider adding these to your education section for more insight into how you used your time as a student.
Bachelor of Science in Risk Management and Insurance, 2017 - 2020
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Skills
Adding a list of your key skills provides a quick reference for the reader of what you can bring to a claims adjuster role. Skills such as insurance policy analysis or attention to detail are particularly useful for claims adjuster jobs. Once more, review the job description and pick out any key claims adjuster skills listed that match yours. Focus on these skills and any other key transferable skills that make you a strong candidate for the job.
Listing hard skills on your claims adjuster resume
Hard skills are the key technical skills required for claims adjuster positions. They include specific industry knowledge and abilities that you could learn on the job, or through a specialist qualification. Furthermore, your hard skills list helps to show employers how competent and experienced you are at key claims adjuster duties and responsibilities. Aim to include four or five key hard skills. If you have space, explain how and where you've used that skill to create successful outcomes in your career. These skills will demonstrate your credentials and show how you meet the job description.
Your resume hard skills list should reflect your unique and specific industry expertise and experience, while also fulfilling the requirements listed in the job description. See the examples below for an idea of what an effective claims adjuster resume hard skills list looks like.
- Insurance policy analysis
- Claims management software
- Negotiation and settlement
Listing soft skills on your claims adjuster resume
Your soft skills are the core qualities and personal characteristics that make you a good employee. They tend to apply to multiple professions and jobs, though the soft skills you'll require may change as you move from junior to senior positions. Indeed, transferable skills are growing in importance in the modern world of work, so make sure you include several of these in your resume. Aim to include approximately five soft skills that reflect the skills listed in the job description.
A good soft skills section would include skills that match the job description, and also reflect your key strengths and qualities. See the graphic below for an indication of what to include in a strong soft skills section for a claims adjuster resume.
- Attention to detail
- Critical thinking skills
- Emotional intelligence (EI)
Certifications and Training
In this section, include any claims adjuster certifications, training or licenses you hold that are relevant to the job. Add any official certifications or accreditations that increase your level of qualification and suitability for working as a claims adjuster. Therefore, add any necessary licenses and certifications in this section, along with valid dates so employers can see you're still qualified for the job.
Below you can find several examples of certifications for a claims adjuster resume:
- AIC Designation, 2022
- CPCU Certification, 2022
- AINS Certification, 2022
Expert Tip:
Optional Resume Sections
As well as the main sections of a claims adjuster resume, optional sections can help you prove your credentials to employers. Pick from the optional sections below to help show the employer you have the skills and experience for the job.
Personal Interests
Listing your hobbies and interests can reveal key qualities that some employers may value. Your hobbies and interests are useful for a claims adjuster resume if you want to show a different side to your personality, or to stand out among other candidates. They can also be valuable if you're a junior candidate without much relevant work experience. Only include hobbies and interests that showcase your personality and personal qualities, and add something different to your application.
Volunteer Experience
Listing volunteer work is another useful way to prove your relevant experience for claims adjuster roles. Include the title of your volunteer role, who you volunteered for, as well as the dates you carried out the work. Provide brief details of your responsibilities and the impact you made.
References
Although it's rare to include references on a claims adjuster resume, some employers may ask for it. Don't add references unless they're specifically mentioned by the employer in the job advert. Include a maximum of three professional references, being sure to check with your referees before including them in your resume.
References will be available upon request.
Best words to use in a claims adjuster resume
Using strong action verbs in your work experience bullet points can make a stronger impression on employers and show the value you added to your previous roles. Add strong verbs from the list below to create a greater impact with your work experience section.
- Evaluate
- Investigate
- Negotiate
- Document
- Assess
- Verify
- Calculate
- Communicate
- Inspect
- Resolve
If you want to create a resume that stands out from the crowd, use Jobseeker's expert-designed resume templates. You can also find cover letter templates that work to get you noticed by employers.
Example of a claims adjuster resume
Using each of the sections above, we've created this example claims adjuster resume, to help guide you when creating your own:
0001 Cemetery Lane, New York, NY
•
riley.davis@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/riley–davis123
Results-driven Claims Adjuster with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and extensive experience as an Insurance Claims Specialist. Proven expertise in evaluating, negotiating, and settling claims efficiently while ensuring compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements. Skilled in assessing damages, conducting investigations, and providing exceptional customer service to policyholders. Proficient in utilizing claims management software and adept at handling high-volume caseloads under tight deadlines
Insurance Claims Specialist
2020
-2022
SecureShield Claims Solutions (Cincinnati)
- Successfully processed and resolved over 1,000 claims annually, ensuring 98% accuracy and customer satisfaction
- Reduced claim processing time by 30% through the implementation of an optimized workflow system
- Trained and mentored a team of 15 new hires, resulting in a 50% improvement in their claim resolution efficiency
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
2017
-2020
University of Delaware (Newark, DE)
Insurance policy analysis
Claims management software
Negotiation and settlement
Attention to detail
Critical thinking skills
Emotional intelligence (EI)
AIC Designation
CPCU Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Best practices for a claims adjuster resume
Tips to write the best resume
- Tailor your resume for each application you send. Review the job description and adapt the content to reflect the specific requirements, including key skills and experience.
- Aim for a brief, concise claims adjuster resume. One page is ideal for junior roles, while two pages are more suitable for senior positions.
- Use a clear, professional resume format to make your document as accessible as possible, including a readable font and appropriate headings, margins and line spacing. This will make your resume easier for recruiters and hiring managers to read.
- Proofread your resume to ensure it's free from spelling and grammar errors. Even minor errors can make a difference to your chances.
- Kick off your claims adjuster resume with a strong summary or objective statement that highlights your key skills and achievements.
Avoid these common mistakes on your resume
- Don't forget to review your contact information before sending your resume, to ensure it's all up-to-date.
- Don't list personal details such as your age, gender or a photo, unless these are necessary for the role. They can lead to hiring bias.
- Don't include hobbies unless they help you prove a skill or experience that's necessary for the job.
- Don't use unnecessary jargon to try and impress the reader. It may have the opposite effect.
- Don't list unrelated work experience unless you can show you used skills that are valuable to the job you're applying for.
How to make an ATS-friendly resume
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help recruiters and employers to streamline their hiring process. They can store and process data, including applications and applicant data, quickly and efficiently. One of the jobs ATS applications are increasingly responsible for is initial candidate screening. The systems can quickly scan and rank resumes based on how closely they match the job description. There are several things you can do when writing your claims adjuster resume, to give yourself the strongest chance of ranking highly in the ATS stage and progressing through the recruitment process.
Here are a few quick tips for creating an ATS-friendly resume:
- Use a traditional resume format, such as reverse-chronological or functional. These will give your resume a structure that's easier for ATS systems to scan.
- Use of job description keywords throughout your resume will help it rank higher in the ATS scanning stage, as it will more closely match the requirements laid out in the job description.
- Include clear headings that make it easy to identify each section of your resume. This will help any ATS software navigate your resume during the scanning process.
- Utilize a clean, clear resume design that helps make your content more readable. Use simple fonts and subtle color accents and design elements that don't detract from the written content.
- Use concise language to keep the length of your resume to between one and two pages. This will make it easier to scan for ATS applications.
For tips and ideas to help you draft a professional resume to get noticed by employers, read our expert career articles and check out our detailed resume examples.
Frequently Asked Questions about a claims adjuster resume
As well as writing a professional claims adjuster resume, you'll need a cover letter to introduce yourself and emphasize your credentials.
Check the job description to see whether a full, formal cover letter is necessary. In some situations, it might be more suitable to simply send a brief email to introduce yourself and accompany your resume.
A traditional cover letter should follow formal letter-writing conventions and structure, including a header, the recipient's address and professional greetings and sign-offs. For the main body of the letter, open with a short paragraph introducing yourself and explaining your reasons for applying for the claims adjuster role. Follow that with an explanation of your skills and experience and how they're relevant to the position. Close by expressing your gratitude and enthusiasm, and leaving a call to action that encourages the employer to open a dialogue with you.
Jobseeker's tried and tested cover letter templates were created by experts to help you make a strong impression with your applications. Follow the simple steps to create a winning cover letter today.
Writing a claims adjuster resume with no experience needn't be a daunting task. There are still plenty of ways to impress hiring managers with your resume. Opt for a skill-based resume format instead of a traditional layout. This places your skills and education in a more prominent position on your resume. Optional sections at the end of your resume can play a stronger role if you're lacking relevant work experience. Use certifications and training, hobbies and interests, volunteer roles and internships to show you've got the necessary skills for the job.
A strong resume headline can give the reader an immediate idea of your suitability for claims adjuster jobs. A well-written resume headline is also a way to increase your chances of passing the ATS resume scanning stage, by referencing keywords that match the job description. Write a concise headline including the job title, a reference to your experience or track record and one or two key skills.
You can use this example resume headline as a template for creating your own:
- Junior Claims Adjuster Specialist
- Expert Claims Adjustment Specialist
- Experienced Senior Claims Adjuster Specialist
The resume format that gives you the best chances of success depends on your experience levels, as well as the type of job you're applying for and its seniority level. If you don't have much experience, for example if you're applying for a graduate role or changing careers, you might consider a functional resume format. This focuses on your skills and education above your work experience. For more senior roles where you have plenty of relevant experience, use a reverse chronological format. This resume structure places work experience at the heart of the document, using it as a showcase for your skills and achievements.
Key takeaways for your claims adjuster resume
The key to a strong resume is to showcase your relevant skills and achievements through your work experience and other activities. Choose a resume structure that makes the most of your relevant experience, whether through work or other activities, and be sure to tailor your resume to match the job description.
Jobseeker has a wealth of resume tools, including resume templates and examples, to help you create a winning job application. Sign up today to get started. Whatever job you're applying for, a professional cover letter can make all the difference to your chances. Use Jobseeker's HR-approved tools and cover letter examples to inspire your applications.
Sources:
(1) Tips for Writing a Federal Resume, U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/tips-for-writing-a-federal-resume
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
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