Risk Analyst Resume Example
If you're hoping to start a career as a risk analyst, you'll need experience in analyzing financial data and developing risk models. If you want to stand out with your risk analyst applications, you'll need to create a professional resume that makes a strong impression on employers. In this article, we'll showcase resume tips and examples that can help you create a professional risk analyst resume that catches the eye of hiring managers.
The aim of this article is to equip you with all the knowledge required to create a resume that positions you to succeed in your risk analyst 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. Read on to learn how to write a perfect risk analyst resume, from the advice of careers experts at Jobseeker.
Core sections to include in a risk analyst resume
The key sections to include in a risk analyst resume are similar to those for any role or profession.
For junior and entry-level risk analyst 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.
When applying for mid-level risk analyst positions, it's typically best to opt for a reverse-chronological resume format. This is because work experience tends to be the most important resume section for this level. By using this resume format you can focus on showing how your experience has helped you develop the required skills for the job. Review the job description to understand which key skills and experience to focus on.
For senior risk analyst 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. Senior resumes are often longer than resumes for junior roles. This is because you may choose to include extra sections, such as awards, professional memberships, publications, conferences or certifications on your resume.
You will have some choice over your resume layout and structure, but be sure to include these sections as the core of your document:
Resume Header
In your risk analyst resume header, list your name, email address, phone number and address or location. You can also add your LinkedIn, if you have one, to help employers better understand your work history and skills. While in some countries, you might include additional personal information or a photo, these aren't necessary. Create a clear, well-structured header that acts as the headline of your resume. Use color accents and blocks to help this section stand out and catch the eye of the reader.
Make sure your email address appears as professional as possible, and doesn't include anything like nicknames, inappropriate language or personal information. If it does, set up a new email account with an address based on your name or initials, and use that for your job applications. Always double-check your contact details are up-to-date before sending your resume.
Joe Garcia
joe.garcia@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
124 Conch Street, Bikini Bottom, CA
linkedin․com/in/joe–garcia123
Resume Summary
Following your resume header, write a resume summary to introduce yourself and showcase some of your key skills and achievements. Alternative names for this section are 'resume objective' and 'personal profile'. While a resume summary focuses on your career experience, a resume objective covers your ambitions and career plans. Additionally, make sure your resume summary reflects the job description and focuses on qualities that are relevant to working as a risk analyst.
Alternatively, you could use this section to reference your objectives and ambitions, and how this role would fit into your career journey.
A good resume summary reflects the job description and highlights some of the key skills required for risk analyst 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. You can see some positive examples of a resume summary for risk analyst jobs below.
Good example:
Results-driven Risk Analyst with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and extensive experience as a Risk Management Specialist. Adept at identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks to safeguard assets and optimize financial performance. Proven track record in developing risk management frameworks, conducting thorough risk assessments, and implementing effective strategies to minimize exposure. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a strategic mindset contribute to a proactive approach in managing financial risks. Proficient in leveraging data analytics and risk assessment tools to support informed decision-making. Dedicated to enhancing organizational resilience and achieving business objectives
Bad example:
Risk analyst with a background in finance and experience in managing risks. Worked on identifying and assessing risks to protect assets and improve financial outcomes. Developed risk management plans and strategies to reduce risks. Good at analyzing data and paying attention to details. Used data tools to help make decisions. Focused on making organizations stronger and meeting business goals
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 risk analyst resume summary.
Work Experience
In the next section, list your employment history focusing on the most relevant previous roles and achievements that showcase your risk analyst skills. List each relevant role in reverse-chronological order starting with your current or most recent role. Add your job title, the organization name, its location and the dates you worked there.
Also include some bullet points for each job mentioned, showcasing your achievements so the employer can see the impact you made on the company. Pay attention to the job description and make sure each point is relevant to risk analyst roles.
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 risk analyst resume proves you're a strong candidate for the job, such as client feedback, project outcomes, KPIs or financial results. See the examples below for some ideas of what a great resume work experience looks like.
Good example:
Risk Management Specialist, January 2022 - Present
SecureVantage Analytics, San Jose
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive risk management framework, reducing organizational risk exposure by 30% over two years
- Led cross-functional team in identifying and mitigating critical risks, resulting in $2M annual cost savings
- Conducted thorough risk assessments for 50+ projects, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and minimizing potential operational disruptions
Bad example:
Risk Management Specialist, January 2022 - Present
SecureVantage Analytics, San Jose
- Assisted in various risk management tasks to support team objectives and enhance organizational resilience
- Participated in team efforts to identify and address potential risks across multiple projects
- Supported risk assessment activities to help ensure compliance with industry standards
In the graphic above, you'll see some examples of less effective resume work experience sections. 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.
Education and Qualifications
Your resume's education section provides space for you to list your highest and most relevant qualifications for risk analyst roles.
A risk analyst 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 Finance degree or similar is the most suitable for this job, but you could also include any other relevant qualifications that show your quantitative modeling techniques or VAR analysis experience.
Include any qualifications relevant to the role. For each, add the name and level of the award, the institution name, 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.
If you organized or participated in any clubs or societies while at university, or you took part in any voluntary work, you could also mention these here.
Bachelor of Science in Finance, 2017 - 2020
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA
Hard and Soft Skills
In your skills section, list any skills you've acquired or developed that are relevant to risk analyst positions. Consider adding quantitative modeling techniques, analytical problem solving or any other necessary skills for the job. Once more, review the job description and pick out any key risk analyst skills listed that match yours. Focus on these skills and any other key transferable skills that make you a strong candidate for the job.
Highlighting your hard skills
For your hard skills list, include any technical abilities or specific industry knowledge that's essential to working as a risk analyst. These could be skills gained through work experience or qualifications. Furthermore, these skills are essential for a risk analyst resume as they showcase your expertise in the field. 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.
If you want to make a strong impression with your hard skills list, focus on hard skills that align with your specific industry expertise, and that reflect the job description. For inspiration on the right type of hard skills for a risk analyst resume, see below.
- Financial risk assessment
- Data analysis tools
- Quantitative modeling techniques
How to list soft skills on your risk analyst resume
Soft skills are your transferable skills and personal qualities that make you a good match for a risk analyst position and the organization. Soft skills tend to be more universal than hard skills, and can often apply to multiple jobs and industries. Indeed, without soft skills, you may struggle to adapt to risk analyst roles or meet the standards expected of you. So make sure you include several key soft skills on your resume. Aim to include approximately five soft skills that reflect the skills listed in the job description.
The strongest resume soft skills sections include a mix of skills that match your best personal strengths, and that reflect the skills listed in the job description. See below for some examples of effective soft skills for a risk analyst resume.
- Analytical problem solving
- Attention to detail
- Effective communication skills
Relevant Certifications and Licenses
Under this section, list any relevant certifications or licenses that are relevant to risk analyst jobs. Add any official certifications or accreditations that increase your level of qualification and suitability for working as a risk analyst. Therefore, include the details of any licenses and professional certifications required for risk analyst roles, along with completion dates so employers can see you're up-to-date.
Take a look at some example certifications for a risk analyst resume below:
- FRM (Financial Risk Manager), 2022
- PRM (Professional Risk Manager), 2022
- CRISC (Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control), 2022
Jobseeker Tip:
Additional Information
In addition to the core sections of a risk analyst resume, there are several optional sections you could include to enhance your chances. Choose optional sections from the list below, if they help to showcase your relevant skills and experience.
Personal Interests
Hobbies and interests can be a useful way of showing your skills and experience beyond your work and education. Your hobbies and interests are useful for a risk analyst 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. 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.
Voluntary Work
Adding voluntary roles can be a useful way of showing relevant experience and skills for risk analyst roles beyond your main employment history. Add any voluntary roles, including your position, the name of the organization, the dates of your voluntary work and a brief explanation of your responsibilities and achievements.
References
It's relatively unusual to include references in a standard risk analyst resume, but they are required occasionally. Check the job advert to see if you'll need to add references to your resume. Be sure to prepare your referees in advance, so they've agreed to provide a reference and are ready to be contacted.
References can be provided upon request.
Best words to use in a risk analyst resume
Add strong verbs to your work experience section to show the hiring manager the impact you made in your previous roles. Choose verbs from the suggestions below that highlight your key skills or those mentioned in the job description.
- Assess
- Evaluate
- Analyze
- Quantify
- Identify
- Mitigate
- Monitor
- Forecast
- Recommend
- Report
Jobseeker's clean, attractive resume formats can help your applications make a strong impression on employers. Check them out for help designing a winning resume, and see our cover letter templates to help win over recruiters and hiring managers.
Example of a risk analyst resume
Now we've covered the main sections to include in your risk analyst resume, let's take a look at how it all comes together in the example below:
124 Conch Street, Bikini Bottom, CA
•
joe.garcia@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/joe–garcia123
Dedicated Risk Analyst with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and extensive experience as a Risk Management Specialist. Proven expertise in identifying, assessing, and mitigating financial risks, with a strong analytical mindset and a keen eye for detail. Adept at developing risk management strategies, conducting thorough risk assessments, and providing actionable insights to drive informed decision-making. Proficient in using advanced risk analysis tools and methodologies to enhance organizational resilience and ensure regulatory compliance. Strong communicator with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve strategic objectives
Risk Management Specialist
2020
-2022
Guardian Risk Solutions (Wichita)
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive risk assessment framework, reducing operational risks by 30%
- Led cross-functional teams in crisis management exercises, improving response times by 40%
- Identified and mitigated critical financial risks, resulting in a $2M cost savings annually
Bachelor of Science in Finance
2017
-2020
American University (Washington, D.C)
Financial risk assessment
Data analysis tools
Quantitative modeling techniques
Analytical problem solving
Attention to detail
Effective communication skills
FRM (Financial Risk Manager)
PRM (Professional Risk Manager)
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Key tips for a risk analyst resume
Tips to write the best resume
- Quantify the impact you've made in different roles by offering evidence of your key abilities and your contribution.
- Write a compelling resume summary or objective to introduce yourself and your key risk analyst skills.
- List your relevant work experience in reverse-chronological order, starting with your current or most recent job.
- Keep your risk analyst resume concise, with a target length of one page for less experienced candidates, and two pages for senior positions.
- Action verbs can help show the actions you've taken and the impact you've made in risk analyst jobs (e.g. 'monitor', 'forecast', 'recommend').
Keep away from these common resume mistakes
- Don't use an unprofessional email address. Instead, create a simple email address based on your name.
- 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.
- Don't lie or exaggerate the details of your risk analyst career or education, as this can backfire later in the recruitment process.
- Don't add personal information such as your age, gender, a photo or marital status, as these can lead to bias in the hiring process.
Tips on creating an ATS-optimized resume
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are increasingly taking responsibility for the management and processing of job applications, helping hiring practices to become more efficient. This can include screening resumes by scanning and ranking each application according to how closely it matches the job description. When you're writing your risk analyst resume, there are several things you can do to make sure your resume stands the best chance of passing the ATS stage.
Create an ATS-optimized resume by following these quick tips:
- Opt for an established, traditional resume format such as a reverse-chronological or functional structure. These will ensure your resume includes all the necessary details ATS systems scan for.
- Add keywords that match the job description throughout your resume, as ATS applications scan for these and well-placed, considered use can help your resume rank more highly.
- Using clear, simple headings makes it easier for an ATS application to scan your resume, as it can easily identify what's in each section of your document.
- Adopt a resume design that uses clear, professional design principles and leaves white space for your content to breathe. Use the most readable fonts and incorporate subtle design elements to enhance the readability of your document.
- Keep your resume as concise as possible, to make it easier to read, and for ATS software to scan.
For help crafting a winning resume, read our in-depth career blog and review our resume examples for inspiration.
A risk analyst resume FAQs
As well as writing a professional risk analyst 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.
If you decide you want to write a traditional cover letter, follow the standard letter-writing conventions around layout and structure. In the main body of the letter, write an opening paragraph to introduce yourself and explain why you're applying for the risk analyst role. Your second paragraph is typically where you highlight your key relevant skills and achievements. Finally, close by expressing your enthusiasm for the role and leave a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to make contact 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.
There are plenty of ways to still make a positive impression with your risk analyst resume, even if you lack relevant work experience. Choose a resume structure that best showcases your key skills for the role, such as a functional format. This places your skills and education above your work experience. Additional resume sections such as volunteer work, hobbies and interests, certifications and internships can all help you showcase your relevant skills. These can be more prominent in your resume if you haven't got a lot of work experience.
You can use a resume headline to introduce your document and set the tone for your risk analyst applications. Resume headlines can also help you pass the ATS stage of the selection process, by highlighting the job title and one or two key details. Write a few words to set the tone for your resume, including the job title, your experience or track record and one or two key skills that make you stand out.
Here's an example of a strong resume headline:
- Aspiring Junior Risk Analyst
- Expert Risk Analyst and Strategist
- Senior Risk Management 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. 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.
Takeaways for your risk analyst resume
If you want to catch the eye of employers and recruiters, you need a professional resume that showcases your best skills and career achievements. 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.
Use Jobseeker's resume templates, other tools and resources to create an application that impresses employers. Sign up today to access a wealth of valuable resume and cover letter resources. Jobseeker's expert-designed cover letter generator can help your applications make a strong first impression on hiring managers. Find detailed cover letter examples to complement your resume and get your application noticed.
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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