RESUME MISTAKES
Stop Resume Mistakes From Blocking Your Claims Adjuster Career
Identify and correct the most common errors that keep hiring managers from seeing your expertise.
How This Page Helps
Help claims adjusters create error‑free resumes that pass ATS filters and impress hiring managers.
Spot hidden ATS blockers
Learn industry‑specific wording
Apply proven formatting rules
Get actionable before‑and‑after examples
Use Resumly’s instant fix tools
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Generic Objective StatementMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Doesn't showcase specific claims adjusting skills
- Often ignored by ATS
- Wastes recruiter time
How to fix
- Replace with a concise summary highlighting years of experience, lines of business, and key achievements
- Include relevant certifications (e.g., AIC) and software proficiency
❌ Before
Objective: Seeking a challenging position where I can utilize my skills.
✓ After
Summary: Certified Claims Adjuster with 5+ years handling property and casualty claims, reducing loss ratios by 12% through effective negotiation and thorough investigations.
ATS Tip
Start with a keyword‑rich summary, not an objective.
Detection Rules
Contains the word 'objective'
Less than 30 words
No industry keywords
Resumly Tip
Swap the objective for a summary that mirrors the job description.
Listing Duties Instead of AchievementsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Fails to demonstrate impact
- Makes resume look like a job description
- Reduces recruiter interest
How to fix
- Quantify results (e.g., % reduction, number of claims processed)
- Use action verbs and outcome‑focused language
❌ Before
Responsible for reviewing insurance claims and communicating with clients.
✓ After
Processed 150+ property claims per month, achieving a 95% accuracy rate and cutting claim cycle time by 18%.
ATS Tip
Include measurable metrics to satisfy ATS keyword patterns.
Detection Rules
Sentences start with 'Responsible for' or 'Duties include'
No numbers or percentages
Resumly Tip
Turn duties into bullet points that start with strong verbs and include numbers.
Missing Relevant Certifications and LicensesMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Claims adjusting often requires specific credentials
- ATS may filter out resumes lacking keywords like 'AIC' or 'CPCU'
- Hiring managers look for proof of expertise
How to fix
- Create a dedicated Certifications section
- List certification name, issuing body, and year
❌ Before
Skills: Investigation, negotiation, customer service.
✓ After
Certifications: Associate in Claims (AIC), 2022 – The Institutes; Certified Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), 2023 – The Institutes.
ATS Tip
Place certifications near the top to catch both ATS and recruiter eyes.
Detection Rules
No 'Certifications' heading
Missing common industry acronyms
Resumly Tip
Add a Certifications section with standard abbreviations.
Improper Date and Location FormattingLOW
Why it hurts
- ATS may not parse dates
- Inconsistent formatting looks unprofessional
- Hiring managers struggle to gauge tenure
How to fix
- Use MM/YYYY format for all dates
- List city, state for each position
- Keep spacing consistent
❌ Before
Claims Adjuster – ABC Insurance (2018 – Present) New York
✓ After
Claims Adjuster – ABC Insurance New York, NY | 01/2018 – Present
ATS Tip
Standardize dates to MM/YYYY and separate location with a pipe or line break.
Detection Rules
Dates written as '2018-Now' or 'Jan 2018 – Present'
Location on same line without separator
Resumly Tip
Apply the recommended date and location template across all experience entries.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Core Competencies, Professional Experience, Certifications, Education, Technical Skills
Naming: FirstName_LastName_ClaimsAdjuster_Resume
Consistency
Length: One to two pages, 500–800 words
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State (e.g., Chicago, IL)
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use a keyword‑rich summary
- Show quantified achievements
- Include AIC, CPCU, or other relevant certifications
- Format dates as MM/YYYY
- Save as PDF with searchable text
- Proofread for spelling and grammar
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: Taleo, iCIMS, Workday, Greenhouse
Keyword Strategy: Claims adjuster, property claims, casualty claims, loss mitigation, AIC, CPCU, negotiation, investigation, settlement
Heading Format: Use standard headings like 'Professional Experience' and 'Certifications' to match ATS parsing rules.
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current claims adjuster resume text
- Convert objective to summary
- Add quantifiable metrics
- Insert certifications section
- Standardize dates and locations
- Optimize headings for ATS
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