Fraud Investigator Resume Example
Working as a fraud investigator can provide a rewarding career, involving analyzing transaction data and interviewing involved parties. A strong resume for fraud investigator applications showcases your skills, experience and achievements and helps you stand out from other candidates. In this article, we'll highlight tips and examples for creating a fraud investigator resume that makes a winning impression on recruiters and hiring managers.
This complete guide to a fraud investigator resume will equip you with the tools you need to compete in your applications. The guide will show you practical examples of how to structure your resume to show off your best and most relevant skills and career achievements. It will also show you how to tailor your resume according to the job description and your unique skill set. Continue reading to find expert tips and advice from Jobseeker that will help you with your fraud investigator resume.
Core sections to include in a fraud investigator resume
Although the content of a fraud investigator resume may differ according to your experience and seniority, the main sections will remain the same.
If you're applying for junior, entry-level or graduate fraud investigator positions and you lack work experience, consider using a skills-based resume format to emphasize your skills and education. Draw attention to your soft and transferable skills, as employers will value these highly for entry-level roles. You could also mention any internships, training or volunteer work that helps you showcase skills relevant to the position.
If you're already working as a fraud investigator, concentrate on proving your credentials with your work achievements. Use a reverse-chronological resume format to place work experience prominently in your resume. Your resume should focus on your career achievements, and the role you've played in successful projects and activities for your employers. Consult the job description for guidance on what to showcase, and provide evidence to support your claims.
For senior fraud investigator applications, concentrate on your work experience and any accolades or achievements that prove your status as a highly experienced candidate. Use a reverse-chronological resume format with additional sections. It's likely that your senior resume will be longer than a standard resume of one-to-two pages. This is because you'll be listing additional achievements beyond your work experience, such as awards, publications and professional memberships.
How you choose to present your resume is up to you. There are plenty of options for a professional resume layout and format, but every application should include the following:
Resume Header with Contact Details
Your fraud investigator resume header should contain your name and contact details. These include your email address and phone number. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can also add that, to give employers the chance to learn more about your skills and experience. It's not necessary to include a photo or any other personal information. 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.
Only include professional, name-based email addresses in your resume header. If you have an old email address that uses nicknames, puns, references to your personal interests or anything else that could appear unprofessional, set up a new email just for your job applications. Finally, always double-check your contact details are correct and up-to-date before sending your resume.
Zachary Jones
zachary.jones@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
Bag End, Hobbiton, Shire, TX
linkedin․com/in/zachary–jones123
Resume Summary
In your resume summary, write a short paragraph that highlights two or three of your key achievements and skills for fraud investigator roles. You could also call this section 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. A resume summary covers your career experience to date, while a resume objective focuses more on your ambitions for the future. However, make sure you keep your resume summary short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description.
Alternatively, use this summary to introduce your personal career ambitions and explain why fraud investigator roles are a good fit for you at this stage of your career.
The best resume summaries reflect the job description and focus on qualities that are relevant to working as a fraud investigator, while highlighting elements of your personality that make you an ideal candidate. They also quantify the information provided with evidence. Take a look at some strong examples of how to approach a fraud investigator resume summary in the graphic below.
Good example:
Experienced Fraud Investigator with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a solid background as a Financial Crimes Analyst. Proven expertise in identifying, investigating, and resolving complex financial crimes, including fraud, money laundering, and embezzlement. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a keen eye for detail and a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and confidentiality. Proficient in using advanced investigative techniques and tools to gather evidence and support legal proceedings. Excellent communication and collaboration abilities, capable of working effectively with law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, and regulatory bodies
Bad example:
Investigator with some experience in criminal justice and financial analysis. Worked on cases involving financial issues like fraud and other related matters. Have skills in looking into details and solving problems while keeping things private. Used various methods and tools to gather information and assist in legal matters. Communicated and worked with different organizations and agencies to address financial concerns
Alternatively, a poor resume summary would include bland, generic information that does little to prove your suitability for the role, while failing to provide any useful insights on you as a person or as a candidate. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your fraud investigator resume summary.
Employment History
Next, list your relevant employment history and any key achievements that show you're suitable for a fraud investigator position. Add each previous employment in reverse-chronological order. This means starting from your current or most recent role and working back in time from there. Include your job title, the company name, the location of the job and your dates of employment.
For each job listed in this section, add some bullet points so the employer can understand the skills you developed, and your achievements. Focus on showcasing the impact you made on the organization, and show evidence of how you made a difference.
A successful resume work experience section will always showcase skills and experience relevant to the job description, and how you put each to good use in your previous roles. Offering quantifiable evidence in a fraud investigator resume proves you're a strong candidate for the job, such as client feedback, project outcomes, KPIs or financial results. There are some examples of strong resume work experience sections below.
Good example:
Financial Crimes Analyst, January 2022 - Present
Integrity Solutions, Inc, New Orleans
- Successfully identified and prevented $1.5 million in fraud through advanced data analytics and pattern recognition techniques
- Developed and implemented a risk assessment model, reducing false positives by 30% and enhancing detection accuracy
- Led a cross-functional team in a high-profile investigation, resulting in the prosecution of a major financial crime syndicate
Bad example:
Financial Crimes Analyst, January 2022 - Present
Integrity Solutions, Inc, New Orleans
- Played a key role in fraud prevention strategies and initiatives within the organization
- Contributed to the development of risk assessment processes and procedures
- Collaborated with various departments to support investigative efforts and achieve successful outcomes
The example above can give you some idea of what not to include in your resume work experience section. Ineffective work experience sections tend to focus too much on everyday responsibilities over skills and achievements. If you use vague descriptions of activities and fail to back up your achievements with evidence, you're likely to fail to make an impact on 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 fraud investigator.
Opportunities as a fraud investigator and similar roles in the sector usually require a specialist degree. If you have a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree, be sure to mention this in your resume. You might also want to list any qualifications that highlight your interviewing and interrogation or fraud detection techniques.
List every relevant qualification, including the name and level of the course, the name of the school, college or university, its location and your graduation date. If you have space, include some bullet points outlining any specialist areas of study, awards or high grades, so the employer can learn more about your unique skill set and knowledge.
If you took part in any volunteering or you were a leader or member of any university societies, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, 2017 - 2020
University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA
Hard and Soft Skills
Listing your key skills can help to prove your suitability for fraud investigator jobs. These could be AML compliance knowledge, problem-solving abilities or various other relevant skills. Additionally, read the job description to make sure your skills match those required for fraud investigator positions. You could also include some unique skills that help you stand out as a candidate.
Showcasing hard skills on your fraud investigator resume
Under hard skills, add any specialist skills you possess that are specifically required for fraud investigator jobs. These tend to be technical skills and industry knowledge essential to the position. Furthermore, it's important to show these skills in a fraud investigator resume as they provide a strong indication of your experience in the sector. Add up to five key hard skills that show you're an ideal candidate for the role. It can also be beneficial to add context to each skill, showing how you've used it to positive effect in your career to date.
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 fraud investigator resume hard skills list looks like.
- Fraud detection techniques
- Data analysis software
- Financial statement analysis
Soft skills on your fraud investigator 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. In fact, you can develop soft skills throughout your career, and they tend to be suitable for various roles and professions. You should generally look to include up to five soft or transferable skills that match the job description.
Your soft skills section should make the most of your unique personal qualities and strengths, while also reflecting the requirements laid out in the job description. See below for some examples of useful soft skills for a fraud investigator resume.
- Attention to detail
- Critical thinking skills
- Communication and collaboration
Certifications and Training
In your certifications section, list any professional certifications or licenses that are relevant to working as a fraud investigator. Add any official certifications or accreditations that increase your level of qualification and suitability for working as a fraud investigator. 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.
See below for some suggestions of relevant certifications for a fraud investigator resume:
- CFE: Certified Fraud Examiner, 2022
- PCI: Professional Certified Investigator, 2022
- CFCI: Certified Financial Crime Investigator, 2022
Jobseeker Tip:
Optional Resume Sections
In addition to the core sections of a fraud investigator resume, there are several optional sections you could include to enhance your chances. Pick from the optional sections below to help show the employer you have the skills and experience for the job.
Hobbies
Listing your hobbies and interests can reveal key qualities that some employers may value. Consider listing hobbies and interests to help your resume stand out, or to provide the employer with some insight into your personality and wider interests. They're perfect for candidates who might lack genuine work experience as a fraud investigator. Just make sure any hobbies and interests you include in your resume add genuine insight into your personality, in ways other sections of the resume can't.
Volunteering
If you're lacking relevant fraud investigator work experience, volunteer work can help to show you still have the relevant skills. 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
It's not typical to include references in a fraud investigator resume, but some employers might ask for them. Don't add references unless requested by the employer. Include a maximum of three professional references, being sure to check with your referees before including them in your resume.
References can be provided upon request.
Best action words for your fraud investigator resume
Action words can help illustrate to the hiring manager the difference you made in each of your previous jobs. Choose from the list of words below to make the best possible impression.
- Analyze
- Investigate
- Examine
- Detect
- Assess
- Identify
- Interrogate
- Scrutinize
- Compile
- Document
Jobseeker's resume templates were created by careers experts to help you produce a professional resume in minutes. You can also find cover letter templates to complete an eye-catching job application that gets you noticed.
Sample fraud investigator resume
The fraud investigator resume example below includes all the sections above, so you can see how a completed resume looks:
Bag End, Hobbiton, Shire, TX
•
zachary.jones@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/zachary–jones123
Dedicated Fraud Investigator with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and extensive experience as a Financial Crimes Analyst. Skilled in detecting, analyzing, and preventing financial fraud, with a strong understanding of regulatory compliance and investigative techniques. Proven ability to conduct thorough investigations, compile evidence, and collaborate with law enforcement agencies to resolve complex financial crimes. Adept at utilizing advanced analytical tools and methodologies to identify fraudulent patterns and ensure accurate reporting. Demonstrates strong attention to detail, critical thinking, and excellent communication skills
Financial Crimes Analyst
2020
-2022
Integrity Financial Forensics, Inc (Bakersfield)
- Detected and prevented fraud schemes, saving the company $2 million annually through advanced data analysis and investigative techniques
- Implemented a risk assessment framework that reduced false positives in transaction monitoring by 40%, enhancing efficiency and accuracy
- Led a team that successfully resolved 150+ high-priority financial crime cases, resulting in a 30% increase in case resolution rate
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
2017
-2020
University of Oklahoma (Norman, Oklahoma)
Fraud detection techniques
Data analysis software
Financial statement analysis
Attention to detail
Critical thinking skills
Communication and collaboration
CFE: Certified Fraud Examiner
PCI: Professional Certified Investigator
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Key tips for a fraud investigator resume
Simple tips for creating a winning resume
- Showcase your key fraud investigator qualities with a strong resume summary or objective to catch the attention of the reader.
- Choose a resume format that's clear, professional and makes your resume as readable as possible. Pay particular attention to the font, line spacing, heading and margins to make your document as easy-to-read as possible for employers.
- 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.
- Keep your fraud investigator resume as brief as possible. A single page is ideal for junior applicants, while two sides is acceptable for senior jobs.
- List key skills throughout your resume that show you're a good fit for the role, and include a separate 'skills' section.
Steer clear of these common resume writing errors
- Don't include irrelevant work experience in your resume because it takes up valuable space and is unlikely to improve your chances of success.
- Don't use an email address with offensive, funny or casual connotations. Instead, create a professional email address based on your name.
- Don't forget to keep your header up-to-date with every application, to make sure you don't include old contact information.
- Don't use overly complex formatting and layouts that can make your fraud investigator resume harder to read, and less scannable for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
- Don't use passive language because it can switch off the reader. Adapt phrases like 'the work was completed' to 'I completed the work'.
Guide to making your resume ATS-friendly
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are one of the key ways recruiters and employers manage the hiring process. The systems can screen candidates by scanning and ranking resumes based on each candidate's likely suitability for the vacancy. When drafting your fraud investigator resume, there are a few guidelines to follow to give you the best chance of passing the ATS screening stage and progressing with your application.
Here are a few quick tips for creating an ATS-friendly resume:
- Use a traditional resume layout, such as a reverse-chronological or functional format. This will mean your resume includes all the necessary sections, in the expected order.
- Add keywords throughout your resume that help ATS software match your application to the job description. A higher match means your application is more likely to proceed to be reviewed by human eyes.
- Use clear headings that break your resume up into readable, scannable sections that match the standard content employers expect from a resume.
- 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 advice and guidance on creating the perfect resume, read our expert career blog and check out our detailed resume examples.
Frequently Asked Questions for a fraud investigator resume
Now that you know how to write a professional fraud investigator resume, you might also want to learn how to write an accompanying cover letter that makes a similar impact.
Firstly, think about whether you want to write a full, formal cover letter or whether a brief email to introduce yourself and draw attention to your resume will suffice.
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 fraud investigator 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.
You can create a professional cover letter in just a few simple, easy-to-follow steps using Jobseeker's tried and tested cover letter templates.
If you have no experience, it's still possible to write a professional fraud investigator resume that makes a positive impression on hiring managers. Use a skills-based resume format to highlight your relevant skills and education. This is more suitable for junior or entry-level roles where you might not have much work experience to showcase. 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 fraud investigator 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 short, concise resume headline incorporating the job title, one or two key skills that match the job description and a reference to your reputation or track record.
Below you can see a resume headline example:
- Junior Fraud Investigation Specialist
- Expert Fraud Detection and Prevention
- Senior Fraud Investigation Specialist
The best resume format for you depends on two things. Firstly, it depends on your experience level. Secondly, it depends on the type and level of position you're applying for. For applicants without much relevant work experience, a functional resume format tends to be best. This places the emphasis on your key skills and relevant qualifications. Once you have some relevant work experience, and for senior positions, a reverse chronological resume format is typically best. This emphasizes your work experience, which will probably be the key thing employers want to know about.
Takeaways for a winning fraud investigator resume
The key to a strong resume is to showcase your relevant skills and achievements through your work experience and other activities. Select a resume format that suits your experience levels and the job you're applying for, and make sure you tailor your resume for each application.
Remember, Jobseeker resume templates and other tools make it easy to create a resume and cover letter that leaves a positive impression on hiring managers. Sign up now to start building your perfect resume. To make the best possible impression with your applications, write a cover letter with the help of Jobseeker. You can also find plenty of expert-designed cover letter examples for inspiration.
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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