RESUME MISTAKES
Avoid Costly Resume Mistakes That Keep Insurance Agents From Closing Deals
Learn the exact fixes to make your resume stand out to hiring managers and ATS platforms.
How This Page Helps
This page helps insurance agents identify frequent resume pitfalls, understand why they hurt, and apply actionable fixes to create a polished, ATS‑compatible resume.
Identify the top 7 resume errors specific to insurance sales
Learn why each mistake reduces your interview odds
Get ready‑to‑use before‑and‑after examples
Apply ATS‑friendly formatting tips
Download a quick‑fix worksheet to implement changes instantly
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Missing industry‑specific keywordsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Recruiters and ATS filters look for certifications and sales terms
- Without keywords your resume may be discarded before a human sees it
How to fix
- Research the job posting for required licenses and sales metrics
- Incorporate terms like CPCU, CLU, AINS, policy underwriting, risk assessment
❌ Before
Managed a portfolio of clients and increased sales.
✓ After
Managed a portfolio of 150+ clients, achieving a 22% increase in premium sales; holds CPCU and CLU certifications.
ATS Tip
Use exact phrases from the job description and include common insurance acronyms
Detection Rules
Keyword count below 5
No mention of licensing (e.g., CPCU, CLU)
Resumly Tip
Resumly scans for top insurance certifications and sales metrics and suggests missing keywords.
Listing duties instead of achievementsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers want proof of impact, not a task list
- ATS scores achievements higher when paired with numbers
How to fix
- Start each bullet with an action verb and add a measurable result
- Replace generic duties with specific outcomes
❌ Before
Responsible for client outreach and policy renewal.
✓ After
Conducted proactive outreach to 200+ clients, achieving a 95% policy renewal rate and generating $1.2M in retained premiums.
ATS Tip
Include numbers, percentages, and dollar amounts
Detection Rules
Bullets begin with verbs like 'Responsible for'
No numeric data present
Resumly Tip
Resumly highlights bullets lacking metrics and suggests quantifiable alternatives.
Unclear employment dates or gapsLOW
Why it hurts
- Gaps raise questions about continuity and reliability
- ATS may misinterpret missing dates as formatting errors
How to fix
- Use consistent MM/YYYY format for all positions
- If a gap exists, add a brief explanation or a freelance/consulting line
❌ Before
Insurance Agent – XYZ Agency 2018 – Present
✓ After
Insurance Agent – XYZ Agency 06/2018 – Present
ATS Tip
Maintain uniform date formatting throughout the document
Detection Rules
Date format varies
Missing month in any date entry
Resumly Tip
Resumly flags inconsistent date styles and auto‑formats them to MM/YYYY.
Using a functional resume format that confuses ATSHIGH
Why it hurts
- ATS parses chronological sections; functional layouts hide employment history
- Hiring managers may doubt recent experience
How to fix
- Switch to a reverse‑chronological layout
- Clearly label sections with standard headings
❌ Before
Skills Summary - Sales strategy - Client retention Experience - Various roles listed without dates
✓ After
Professional Experience Insurance Agent – ABC Corp – 04/2019 – 03/2023 - Achieved 30% growth in new policies...
ATS Tip
Use standard headings like 'Professional Experience' and list jobs in reverse chronological order
Detection Rules
Section titled 'Skills Summary' without dates
Employment history not in reverse chronological order
Resumly Tip
Resumly detects functional layouts and recommends a chronological restructure.
Including irrelevant personal informationLOW
Why it hurts
- Clutters the resume and distracts from qualifications
- ATS may flag non‑standard sections as noise
How to fix
- Remove hobbies, marital status, and unrelated interests
- Keep only contact info, certifications, and professional details
❌ Before
Interests: Hiking, cooking, and volunteering at animal shelter
✓ After
(Removed – no longer listed)
ATS Tip
Focus on content that adds value to the insurance role
Detection Rules
Section titled 'Interests' or 'Personal Details' present
Resumly Tip
Resumly highlights non‑essential sections and offers a one‑click removal option.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Core Competencies, Professional Experience, Education & Licenses, Certifications, Professional Affiliations
Naming: FirstName_LastName_InsuranceAgent_Resume
Consistency
Length: 1‑2 pages for most agents; 2 pages if 10+ years experience
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use a professional email address (first.last@domain.com)
- Add relevant insurance certifications (CPCU, CLU, AINS)
- Quantify sales results with percentages or dollar amounts
- List experience in reverse‑chronological order with consistent MM/YYYY dates
- Include a concise 3‑4 sentence professional summary with key keywords
- Use standard headings and avoid graphics that ATS can’t read
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Workday, Greenhouse, Lever
Keyword Strategy: Insurance sales, policy underwriting, risk assessment, client retention, cross‑selling, CPCU, CLU, AINS
Heading Format: Use standard headings like 'Professional Experience' and 'Education & Licenses'
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current resume text below
- Highlight missing keywords
- Convert bullet points to achievement‑focused statements
- Standardize date and location formats
- Add measurable results
Ready to transform your resume? Get a free expert review now!
Start My Review
