How To Write an Insurance Sales Resume
As an insurance sales professional, your resume is a powerful marketing tool showcasing your skills from sales to networking and achievements in the industry. This guide provides actual insurance sales resume examples and expert advice tailored to the needs of agents. Learn strategies to feature your sales achievements, quantify your performance, and demonstrate your knowledge of insurance products and industry regulations so your resume grabs the attention of hiring managers and positions you as a top candidate in the field.
1. Write a compelling profile summarizing your qualifications
Your resume profile should concisely capture your expertise, experience, and achievements within the insurance sector. In two to three sentences, focus on your specific role as an insurance sales agent, emphasizing your years of experience and quantifiable accomplishments. Incorporate relevant keywords to show your deep understanding of the field and alignment with the position you’re applying for. Remember to take a persuasive approach to your writing.
To captivate readers, include an impressive statistic that showcases your success, such as exceeding sales targets by a certain percentage or consistently achieving high client satisfaction ratings. Your profile should immediately convey your value as a sales professional in the insurance industry and entice employers to delve deeper into your resume.
Senior-Level Profile Example:
An insurance sales executive with over 10 years of experience building lucrative sales pipelines and identifying opportunities to secure new business. A proven track record of delivering in-depth presentations on insurance products and improving annual sales revenue by up to 150%.
Entry-Level Profile Example:
A dynamic insurance sales representative with two years of experience working in high-volume sales environments. Adept at interfacing potential sales prospects and identifying ideal insurance products based on individual customer needs.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
Crafting this section is vital to your resume as it demonstrates an ability to drive results and contribute to the success of an organization. Start by quantifying your experience to showcase your impact, such as the number of policies sold, revenue generated, or percentage increase in client retention.
These quantifiable achievements prove your effectiveness as an insurance sales agent. Incorporate details about successful sales strategies, client relationship management, lead generation, and market analysis to underscore your abilities further. As you create each bullet point, use action verbs to add a dynamic element to your resume. This strategy emphasizes your proactive approach and draws the hiring manager’s attention to all you’ve accomplished.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example:
Insurance Sales Manager, The Insurance Company, San Diego, CA
June 2014 – February 2021
- Built, managed, and led a team of over 50 insurance sales agents, identified opportunities to improve performance, and provided training on cross-selling techniques, resulting in over $1.5 million in annual sales
- Developed new sales pipelines and referral networks, provided coaching to team members to improve closed rates, and achieved a 150% increase in annual sales revenue
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example:
Entry-Level Remote Insurance Sales Representative, Banking Life, Saginaw, MI
July 2019 – present
- Field inbound calls from 15 to 30 sales prospects each day, conduct cold calling and prospecting, and utilize upselling techniques to achieve 125% to 140% of monthly sales quotas
- Manage consultations to identify client needs, financial goals, and resources
- Develop a coordinated protection plan for immediate coverage and long-term strategy
- Cross-selling and upselling additional company products to existing clients
3. Include relevant education and certifications
Including relevant education and certifications on an insurance sales agent resume is essential, especially in such a highly regulated industry. Employers want to see you possess the necessary licenses and qualifications to sell insurance products. In your education section, starting with your highest level completed, list the degree name, institution, location, and graduation date.
It’s vital to include your state insurance license and indicate the lines of authority you hold, such as Property and Casualty (P&C) or Life and Health (L&H). Additionally, highlight any specialized certifications or designations specific to the insurance industry, such as Certified Insurance Agent (CIA) or Certified Insurance Sales Professional (CISP). Create a separate certification section and list each license or certificate title, issuing organization, and date received.
Education
Template:
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] [Dates Enrolled]
Example:
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Risk Management and Insurance
University of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, September 2009 – July 2013
Certifications
Template: [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example:
Life and Health Insurance License, Maryland Insurance Administration, 2013 (#2222-45A)
4. List relevant key skills and proficiencies
Employers can quickly assess your qualifications and suitability for the role when you include a key skills section. As you list your skills, focus on those directly related to insurance sales and customer service. Feature your technical knowledge of insurance products and services and showcase your interpersonal ability to communicate complex insurance concepts. It’s also valuable to highlight your proficiency in sales and customer relationship management (CRM) software. Adapt your skillset to match the specific requirements of the job you’re applying for, considering the insurance company’s target market and product offerings. Take a look at our list of examples below:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Business administration | Casualty insurance |
| Cold calling | Communication |
| Compliance | Consultative sales |
| Customer service | Final expense |
| Health insurance | Lead generation |
| Life insurance | Medicare |
| Negotiation | New business development |
| Prospecting | Quoting |
| Relationship management | Sales |
| Underwriting | |
How To Pick the Best Insurance Sales Resume Template
A template lays the foundation for the content of your resume. It’s just as important as the writing itself. The best resume template for insurance sales is clean and organized. It should focus on featuring your most relevant professional accomplishments and key skills. Look for an easily customizable template that allows you to tailor the content to match the specific job requirements and present your unique strengths as an insurance sales agent. Strike a balance between your personal style and professionalism, avoiding decorative fonts and graphics that could distract from your resume’s content.
Insurance Sales Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Kamal P. Johnson
(810) 012-3456
[email protected]
222 Main St., Flint, MI 48531
Profile
A dynamic Insurance Sales Representative with two years of experience working in high-volume sales environments. Adept at interfacing potential sales prospects and identifying ideal insurance products based on individual customer needs.
Professional Experience
Entry-Level Remote Insurance Sales Representative, Banking Life, Saginaw, MI
July 2019 – Present
- Field inbound calls from 15-30 sales prospects each day, conduct cold calling and prospecting, and utilize upselling techniques to achieve 125%-140% of monthly sales quotas
- Manage consultations to identify client needs, financial goals, and resources
- Develop a coordinated protection plan for immediate coverage and long-term strategy
- Cross-selling and upselling additional company products to existing clients
Entry-level Insurance Sales Representative, Cadence Insurance, Flint, MI
June 2018 – June 2019
- Delivered presentations to potential clients on insurance products and packages based on unique needs and goals, which resulted in 30% close rate for qualified leads
- Maintained a comprehensive knowledge of insurance products and concepts to effectively upsell and cross-sell packages to potential customers
Key Skills
- Insurance Sales
- Cross-selling
- Customer Service
- Client Relations
- Upselling Techniques
Education
High School Diploma
East Lansing High School, East Lansing, MI, June 2018
President, Future Business Leaders of America
Certifications:
- Michigan Life Insurance License, 2019 (#4816994)
Jasmine Burgess
(456) 789-0123
[email protected]
901 Address Road, Baltimore, MD 76543
Profile
A Life Insurance Sales Representative with seven years of experience identifying and selling cost-effective solutions to customers and managing long-term relationships. Adept at building rapport with client accounts and leading initiatives to uncover new business and enhance sales growth.
Professional Experience
Sales Representative, Family First Life, Baltimore, MD
February 2016- Present
- Maintain a comprehensive understanding of mortgage protection and life insurance products, deliver engaging sales presentations, and generate over $400K in annual revenue
- Conduct consultations with clients and gain insights into their needs to recommend the most suitable policies
- Follow up on potential leads and search existing client lists to find opportunities for upselling
- Communicate with insurance companies to obtain quotes and set up policies for clients
Life Insurance Agent, Assurance, Baltimore, MD
July 2013 – February 2016
- Secured over $300K in new business in 2015, exceeded sales targets by 20% month over month, and provided comparisons of different policies to support customers
- Scheduled health screening for life insurance clients with approved clinics
- Clearly explained the billing options and benefits of individual insurance companies and policies to clients
Education
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Risk Management and Insurance
University of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, September 2009 – July 2013
Key Skills
- Insurance Sales
- Communication
- Salesforce CRM
- Client Relations
- Account Management
Certifications
- Life and Health Insurance License, Maryland Insurance Administration, 2013 (#2222-45A)
Carl Collins
(324) 817-6372
[email protected]
23 Steep Avenue, San Diego, California, 92104
Profile
An Insurance Sales Executive with 10+ years of experience building lucrative sales pipelines and identifying opportunities to secure new business. A proven track record of delivering in-depth presentations on insurance products and improving annual sales revenue by up to 150%.
Professional Experience
Insurance Sales Manager, The Insurance Company, San Diego, CA
June 2014 – February 2021
- Build, manage, and lead a team of 50+ insurance sales agents, identify opportunities to improve performance, and provide training on cross-selling techniques, resulting in over $1.5M in annual sales
- Develop new sales pipelines and referral networks, provide coaching to team members to improve close rates, and achieve a 150% increase in annual sales revenue
Insurance Sales Specialist, Insurance and Sales Corporation, San Diego, CA
March 2006 – May 2014
- Pitch and market new products to new and existing clients with a 35% close rate, attended networking events to generate new customer leads, and fielded all inbound and outbound sales inquiries
- Conducted followups on sales prospects, identified ideal insurance products, and maintained a comprehensive knowledge of insurance products, concepts, and trends
Education
Master of Science in Financial Engineering
The University of California, Berkeley, CA, September 2002 – September 2005
Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration
The University of California, Berkeley, CA, September 1999 – July 2002
Key Skills
- Insurance Sales
- Customer Success
- Account Management
- Client Relations
- Team Management
Certifications:
- Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter Certificate in General Insurance, 2006 (#14-00098)
- The American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter Certificate, 2006 (#A45-7689090)
Frequently Asked Questions: Insurance Sales Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for insurance sales resumes?+
Crafting the professional experience section of a resume is sometimes challenging. It can be a daunting task to find the right words to describe your responsibilities and achievements. We've compiled a list of common action verbs to showcase your skills and accomplishments in the insurance industry. Action verbs inject energy and impact into your resume, enabling you to highlight your abilities. You can use these verbs to emphasize your persuasive communication, negotiation prowess, and ability to meet or exceed sales targets. Consider using some of the following words in your insurance sales resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Advise | Assist |
| Bill | Build |
| Collaborate | Communicate |
| Conduct | Cultivate |
| Develop | Engage |
| Generate | Identify |
| Influence | Improve |
| Manage | Market |
| Negotiate | Network |
| Prospect | Sell |
How do you align your resume with an insurance sales job description?+
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 6% growth in insurance sales agent employment between 2021 and 2031. Over the decade, we can expect to see more than 32,000 new jobs added to the workforce. Although the field will see an uptick in job opportunities, applicants still need an outstanding resume to land their dream job. Stand out from the crowd by aligning your resume with the job description.
Especially if you have a specific insurance opening in mind, it's crucial to tailor your resume to that position. Thoroughly review the job description to understand the requirements and qualifications sought by the employer. Then, carefully align your skills, experiences, and accomplishments with those desired for the role. For example, if an insurance company is looking for a candidate to primarily sell life insurance and health insurance policies, you’d provide tangible examples of you successfully selling these specific types of products.
What is the best insurance sales resume format?+
In most instances, the best resume format for insurance sales is reverse chronological. This approach emphasizes your most recent and relevant work experience while showcasing your career progression and sales performance. Functional resumes are generally considered outdated by most recruiters and hiring managers. Even if you’re starting at the entry level or have gaps in your work history, you’d be better served creating detailed bullet points for your previous jobs to emphasize transferable skills and experience.
Expert advice: include a cover letter with your resume
Writing a compelling cover letter is a great way to increase your chances of landing an interview in your job search. Customizing your cover letter for each organization you apply to is key to standing out from the competition. Learn how to create a strong cover letter with our comprehensive guide. Check out related cover letter examples for customer service representatives and customer success managers.
