How to Write a Resume for an Insurance Broker
All professional resumes share certain characteristics, but an insurance broker's must emphasize certain elements specific to the profession. While experience is critical for any job, for an insurance broker, both training and professional certifications can be equally important; therefore, the format of a broker's resume should emphasize these qualifications more than do the resumes of some other careers. An insurance broker's resume can still take different forms, but these general rules will help to create a solid resume.
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Instructions
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Use a single sheet of high-quality bond paper, preferably in a neutral tone such as white, off-white or beige. Choose a standard-size professional font such as Times New Roman or Arial in 10- or 11-point size. Use bullets, section headings or related indicators to help readers easily focus on specific elements of your resume. Always leave at least a 1-inch margin on all sides.
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Include standard information in the heading of your resume, such as name and contact information. If you are currently employed at an insurance agency or brokerage firm, include your current title in the heading itself, such as, "John Doe, Agent/Laural Insurance."
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Begin the body of your resume with an "Objectives" or "Qualifications Summary" section. This should be a brief statement highlighting your experience, career goals and how the specific position to which you are applying fits into your larger plans. Of course, include how long you have been an insurance broker and/or agent.This is also a good place to articulate what kind of insurance representative you are; mention your customer-based approach or commitment to industry integrity, etc.
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Call your next section "Training and Licensees." Here, list all the special training and certifications you have that make you qualified to work as an insurance broker in your state (keep in mind that states vary in what they require for licensing).
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Next, start your section on "Professional Experience." List all relevant job experience, starting with your most recent position. Since it's not uncommon for a broker to also have experience as an agent, you can split your work experience into separate categories if you like. However, simply listing all work relating to the insurance industry, and sales in general, in reverse chronology is the most common way to format insurance resume. For each position entry include the job title, dates of employment, and a brief description of job duties. Also, if applicable, make it clear whether or not the position dealt exclusively with one kind of insurance (car, home, life, etc.) or many.
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If you have college-level education, include a final section "Education," which should list colleges attended, majors, and GPA (if notable). In lieu of an "Education" section, you can have a section noting "Special Skills," which consists of computer proficiencies, languages spoken, or other assets that may be useful to a insurance brokerage firm.
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Tips & Warnings
At the very end of your resume, state that you references are available upon request. Have a list of 3 to 5 references, with contact information, ready to go. Your references should include former supervisors in insurance agencies or notable clients with whom you have a longstanding business relationship.
Try to stick to a one-page resume; if you feel you must exceed that, never go beyond two.
