How To Write a Collections Representative Resume
A collections representative resume should demonstrate an ability to use negotiation and conflict resolution skills to recover outstanding debts while adhering to legal and ethical guidelines. We’ll show you how to write your resume in a way that highlights the key aspects of your career.
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
1. Create a profile by summarizing your collections representative qualifications
The best way to start your resume is with a snapshot of your relevant background. List your job title and years of experience first, followed by a few of your top qualifications. Be intentional with what you choose to include, and look to the job posting as a guide. Your goal is to give potential employers a sneak peek into your past success and experiences using the skills they require.
For example, if you’re a seasoned rep going for a management role, mention your leadership and mentoring abilities. Have you made an effort to improve call processes? Did you lead a team of representatives? Show off what makes you unique and get hiring managers excited to keep reading.
Profile Example #1
Collections Representative with 5 years of experience. Fast learner who adapts readily to new software, databases, and negotiation methods. Focused on finding ways to continually hone and improve policies and procedures. Committed to ongoing professional development and education.
Profile Example #2
Reliable and self-directed Collections Representative with 5 years of experience. Skilled communicator who puts complex financial topics in clear, accessible terms for debtors. Committed to professional integrity and excellence in all endeavors.
2. Add a compelling section featuring your collections representative experience
Your professional experience section should go beyond basic job duties to give hiring managers a clear picture of the value you could bring to their company. They want to know about the results you achieved, so prioritize career achievements over daily tasks when creating bullet points. If you can quantify your experience, even better. Relevant percentages, monetary figures, and numbers help to show what you’re capable of.
Don’t forget to include examples of how you’ve excelled in direct debtor interactions. Describe how you communicate with them and what steps you’ve taken to secure payment or give advice.
Professional Experience Example #1
Collections Representative, TZO Billing Solutions, Detroit, MI | July 2019 to Present
[Third-party collection agency.]
- Pay close attention to debtor concerns and explanations of overdue balances to understand their position and set a mutually agreed-upon plan forward
- Follow up with debtors to help proactively address and avoid further repayment challenges
- Address and resolve bill disputes from consumers
Highlight:
- Placed in the top 4% of department for overall success rate converting accounts from “delinquent” to “in repayment” status
Professional Experience Example #2
Bill & Account Collector, TEO Inc., Minneapolis, MN | July 2019 to Present
[Third-party collection agency.]
- Contact debtors in attempt to recover outstanding balances and set plans for repayment
- Foster positive, productive relationships with all involved parties
- Enter and update available data on debtors’ contact information
- Review and summarize creditor-provided data on debtor payment history
Highlight:
- Ranked #3 on a 35-member team for phone call efficiency
3. List any education and certifications relevant to collections representatives
When listing your education, start with your highest degree or diploma. If you majored in an area unrelated to the field, but you’ve taken relevant classes, you can list them under the school description. Then, after your education section, include any certifications you’ve earned.
Extra credentials may not guarantee the job, but they can help you stand out. Especially for those at the entry level, showing you understand regulatory compliance around debt collection laws is a huge bonus. For example, a Professional Collection Specialist certification will show you have a base knowledge of negotiation skills and the Fair Debt Collection Practice Act (FDCPA).
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Month and Year]
Example
- Associate Degree – Accounting
- Minneapolis Community & Technical College, Minneapolis, MN | May 2015
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example
- Professional Collection Specialist (PCS), American Collectors Association (ACA), 2019
- Credit and Collection Compliance Officer (CCCO), American Collectors Association (ACA), 2022
4. List key skills and proficiencies for collections representatives
To help find talent faster, hiring managers are turning to applicant tracking systems (ATS). This software filters through resumes instantly, searching for keywords and phrases the employer has flagged as important. To make it through the initial screening, your resume should incorporate relevant keywords into the profile, professional experience, and skills sections. Use terms like the ones below on your collections representative resume:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Active listening methods | Bill dispute resolution |
| Call center operations | Complex problem-solving |
| Conflict mediation and resolution | Creditor and debtor relations |
| Data entry | Debtor information review |
| Debtor location and identification | Mentoring and coaching |
| Payment options calculation | Payment plan negotiations |
| Payment recovery | Phone, email, and mail communications |
| Process streamlining and improvement | Regulatory compliance |
| Reporting and documentation | Task prioritization |
How To Pick the Best Collections Representative Resume Template
Keep it simple when selecting a resume template. Hiring managers are most interested in the content of your resume, so choose a design that isn’t too distracting. Remember, the text should be the focus. A clean, simple template is the best choice for collections representatives. Look for a layout that’s well-organized and easy to navigate. Readers should be able to capture all of your most important info without much effort.
Collections Representative Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Example #1
- Example #2
- Example #3
Skyler Thompson
123 W 15th Street, Minneapolis, MN 12345 | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected]
Profile
Reliable and self-directed Collections Representative with 5 years of experience. Skilled communicator who puts complex financial topics in clear, accessible terms for debtors. Committed to professional integrity and excellence in all endeavors.
Professional Experience
Bill & Account Collector, TEO Inc., Minneapolis, MN | July 2019 to Present
[Third-party collection agency.]
- Contact debtors in attempt to recover outstanding balances and set plans for repayment
- Foster positive, productive relationships with all involved parties
- Enter and update available data on debtors’ contact information
- Review and summarize creditor-provided data on debtor payment history
Highlight:
- Ranked #3 on a 35-member team for phone call efficiency
Collections Representative, TTN Billing Solutions, Minneapolis, MN | July 2017 to July 2019
- Used various skip tracing methods to locate and identify debtors with overdue balances
- Calculated interest and amortization schedules and explained associated payment options to debtors
- Negotiated specific, attainable payment plans with debtors
Education
Associate Degree – Accounting
Minneapolis Community & Technical College, Minneapolis, MN
Key Skills
- Creditor & Debtor Relations
- Data Entry
- Debtor Information Review
- Debtor Location & Identification
- Payment Options Calculation
- Payment Plan Negotiations
- Process Streamlining & Improvement
Frequently Asked Questions: Collections Representative Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for collections representative resumes?-
Strong, active language is best when writing a collections representative resume, especially in the professional experience section. Action verbs can help you achieve this effect, giving your document a more engaging tone. However, it’s easy to get stuck or find yourself running out of words to describe your work. Check out our list of verbs to help you overcome any writer’s block:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Addressed | Calculated |
| Called | Communicated |
| Converted | Explained |
| Followed up | Improved |
| Listened | Mediated |
| Negotiated | Planned |
| Prevented | Reported |
| Resolved | Reviewed |
| Streamlined | Updated |
How do you align your resume with a collections representative job posting?-
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment for bill and account collectors will decline by 10% over the next decade. This downturn may be due to an increase in technology that allows representatives to take on more accounts. However, as people retire or transfer occupations, there will be about 19,000 job openings each year.
Competition will be tough for the best positions, so align your resume with the job posting of each role you apply for. How do you do that? Respond to the needs of the company.
For example, suppose an agency is looking for a collections rep with strong skip-tracing skills. If possible, emphasize your ability to use methodologies and data analytics to find debtors. Describe how you’ve done this in the past and maximized collections for previous employers.
What is the best collections representative resume format?-
Most collections representatives should use the combination (or hybrid) format. True to its name, this format combines two important features of other resume formats: the chronological format’s experience section and the functional format’s profile section.
By fusing these two features, a combination resume offers the best of both worlds. The experience section lets you outline your recent work history – essential information for most employers. At the same time, the profile section lets you display your career highlights at the top, regardless of whether they’re from that work history or another part of your background. As a result, you can present yourself clearly and strategically. With this format, you give hiring managers the best view of your experience and relevant strengths, so they can make an informed decision to call you for an interview.
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