Being a finance professional within the insurance industry can be tough, especially in the US market. Opportunities are scarce and the competition is high - so how do you make yourself stand out from the crowd? By making sure that you have a killer CV. Follow these five crucial tips to make sure you land that next big gig:

Highlight your achievements

It’s so important to highlight your achievements. You want to make a memorable impression and shouting about your professional milestones is what will make you stand out from your competitors. Write a list of your achievements and select which ones are relevant for the role you’re applying for – don’t let a generic CV stop you from getting the job you deserve!

Quantify your wins

Make sure your skills and experiences are quantifiable and measurable. How have you progressed in your current role? Have you added value to the company: if so, how? Be detailed about your success, it will highlight your competence!

Use the correct language

Communication is key – if you’re targeting a senior role, use words like lead, create, develop, head and oversee when describing your current duties. By using softer words like assist, participate and prepare, you run the risk of underselling yourself and your experience.

Be concise 

Don’t waffle! When it comes to your past roles and responsibilities, a simple yet informative statement will suffice. Try to avoid overly descriptive words as much as you can and focus on the message you want to convey. Less is always more in this instance.

Keep it clean

First impressions are everything, especially when it comes to your CV. And while experience, expertise and skills are crucial to get right, so is presentation. Make sure your layout is eye-catching and well formatted, use industry jargon where applicable and ALWAYS double check your spelling and grammar.

At Oliver James Associates, we act as a consultancy to our candidates, advising on everything from CV writing to interview preparation. If you’re a US-based finance professional and want to find out how we can help you, contact a member of the New York team on (+1) 646 398 6909 or by sending an email to newyork@ojassociates.com