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Resumes are your first impression. You are sharing your professional story with a prospective employer. Showcase the value you bring as well as the things you value. It is a lot to convey, and needs to be conveyed concisely.

TLDR: Think of your resume as a base-model. Customize it to each position you’re applying for. Resist the temptation to overly rely upon AI. Your talents and skills are what you’re showcasing, so showcase them in your own voice!

AI-Generated Resumes:

  • AI makes mistakes. Worse, AI makes things up. We have personally seen AI resumes containing factually incorrect information which the candidate did not notice before submitting.

  • Communication style is personal, and so is your story. The words used to share that story need to be yours.

  • If you would like AI to get the ball rolling (or polish what you’ve already created), great. But, always carefully review for accuracy and always use personal content to make it your own.

Optimizing for Employer ATS/AI Screening Systems:

  • Formatting: Fancy resumes are pretty, but simple and consistent is key for scan-friendly compatibility. No boxes, tables, frames, etc.

  • Job History: Chronological (newest to oldest). Again, to allow for proper scanning.

  • Content: Update your resume to incorporate keywords from the job description/ad into your skills and experience. Those word matches are what the screener (human or machine) want to see.

  • Do NOT simply ad key words! Work them in naturally.

General Insurance Resume Tips:

  • Insurance resumes rarely need more than two pages (one page early in your career).

  • Standard format for the Insurance Industry includes:

    • Header: Full name, city of residence, mobile number, email.

    • Objective or Experiential Synopsis: Two to four-lines (not mandatory).

    • Job History: Do not go beyond 10-15 years. Include company, dates, location, title, and key duties. Note any promotions, special commendations, or projects/achievements.

    • Skills: System knowledge, apps, and relevant abilities.

    • Education/Continuing Ed: College or university name and degree (or area of study if no degree), designations/certifications, and Licenses. NO dates (except for licenses).

    • Do NOT include References or reasons for leaving. That’s best left for later.

  • Keep formatting consistent throughout. Do NOT use all caps. Left justified is standard.

  • Spell/grammar check is not everything. Manually proofread for spelling and grammar. Proofread again for length and content. Then, have someone else proofread. Finally, read it out loud.

The goal is to make your resume (and you) stand out. Organize it in a way that highlights your assets and best fits your personality and style. Good Luck!