Keys to Writing a Great Claims Resume
Keys to Writing a Great Claims Resume
There are times when there are no significant catastrophes. Catastrophes like hurricanes, floods, or tornado outbreaks. Finding a job as an insurance adjuster during these times can be challenging. Trying to get into the independent adjusting field can be overwhelming. It’s overwhelming even when adjuster demand is high. Carriers and IA Firms rarely come knocking down your door. Therefore, potential candidates need to use every opportunity to gain an advantage. Also, crafting a powerful and effective claims resume requires to things. First, understand the particular skills. Second, a work experience stands out to potential employers. Below are 5 key areas to highlight when crafting your claims resume. These keys speak to the particular needs of adjusting firms and insurance carriers.
People Skills
Insurance claims adjusters need to have excellent people skills, plain and simple. They interact with claimants under stressful circumstances. Hiring companies will notice a resume that paints a picture of superior interpersonal communication. You should be able to show an ability to deal with a wide variety of people. People in various stages of distress, anxiety, and agitation. Your resume should emphasize the polite, professional, and cordial manner with which you have dealt with people under these conditions. Customer service experience, volunteering, community outreach, and social word. Also, disaster relief and/or cleanup, and working with law enforcement. These are good examples of things you should highlight if they apply.
Construction/Engineering Experience
When applying for a position as a residential property adjuster, you will want to highlight any experience in building. Also, include experience in construction, or restoration. Do you have a working knowledge of how a house is now put together? Do you know the difference between soffit and fascia? Have you worked on a construction crew? Operated as a general contractor? Been part of a post-flood cleanup crew? Adjusting firms don’t want to devote time to train their new adjusters in basic construction terminology. Highlighting experience in this field will immediately catch their eye. Also, it will inform them that you are ahead of the pack in one of the industry’s most vital subjects.
Computer Skills
The days of hand-written estimates are pretty much over for the professional insurance adjuster. Today, there are written estimates and submitted electronically. So, you need to know your way around a computer and explain your skill on your resume. Many companies will not even consider a new hire unless you are comfortable using Xactimate or Symbility. Although that can be dependent on demand for adjusters at any given time. If you aren’t familiar with these programs, consider taking a course. If you are unable to take a course, you should express in your resume an ability to use Windows-based software. What if you are computer illiterate? Consider taking a basic computing course before you pursue a career in claims. Online classes, courses at local junior colleges, and community education classes are available in most areas. The investment will be worth your time when applying for jobs.
Insurance Policy Knowledge
Knowing how to read and apply an insurance policy is very important for any adjuster. If you have any experience in the insurance industry or have basic knowledge of insurance terms and concepts, highlight that in your resume. Employers would prefer not to spend time teaching new hires the most basic industry terminology and processes. Even if it is as simple as having read your own homeowner’s or auto policy (which is more than most people do). Let your prospective employer know about your comfort level with insurance policy jargon and interpretation.
Employers don’t want to hand-hold and babysit new employees, so showing them how capable you are will leave a positive and lasting impression.
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