Underwriter CV examples

Underwriting is all about precision – and your CV should be no different. It’s not just a list of past roles; it’s your chance to show how you interpret risk, apply judgment, and deliver decisions that drive results.

This guide breaks down writing a CV clearly – from formatting tips to writing impactful content that reflects your technical skill and sector expertise.

When it comes to underwriting, details matter – and the same is true of your CV. A well-structured layout allows recruiters to quickly find your qualifications, experience, and the types of policies or portfolios you’ve worked on. It’s your first chance to prove that you think clearly and avoid mistakes when it comes to communication.

Here’s the structure to follow:

• Name and contact details – Ensure your name and personal details are easily visible at the top. A photo is optional and depends on the role.
• Profile – Craft a short introduction that showcases your professional background and key accomplishments.
• Core skills – Provide a quick overview of your top skills that show why you’re a great fit.
• Work experience – Outline your career progression in reverse order, emphasising your contributions and successes.
• Education – Provide details on your academic background, including certifications or specialised training.
• Additional info – You can add hobbies or activities here that reflect your enthusiasm for the industry.
  

To make your CV feel as well-organised as your assessments, use bold headings to define each section and break up responsibilities with bullet points. Keep your font clean and professional, use consistent formatting throughout, and limit the length to two pages. A polished CV format shows that you take structure seriously – just like any good risk assessment.

This short opening paragraph is your opportunity to establish your underwriting expertise and set the tone for the rest of your CV. It should highlight your knowledge of risk, policy review, and decision-making, along with any standout sector experience.

Recruiters will want to know that you’re not just familiar with underwriting tools and criteria, but that you also have the judgment and accuracy to back it up: your CV profile is there to quickly and thoroughly assure them of that.

If you want to reassure hiring managers you’re a safe bet, make sure to include:

• Where you worked – Mention insurers, banks, brokers, or mortgage lenders you’ve worked with
• Your top qualifications – CII, DipFA, CeMAP, or relevant finance/insurance certifications
• Essential skills – Risk evaluation, decision-making, technical systems, regulatory compliance
• Types of clients or products handled – From SME insurance and reinsurance to personal lending or life cover
• Specialist expertise – Experience with high-risk cases, underwriting limits, or financial analysis
  

This section should give recruiters a fast, accurate overview of your underwriting strengths in a concise list of bullet points which show you understand the job and the skills it requires.

Focus on the keywords and specific skills which recruiters automatically start scanning for when they open up any application. Tailor the content to the specific branch of underwriting you specialise in, whether that’s general insurance, loans, or property risk.

Your work experience is the strongest part of your CV – and for underwriters, it’s where you demonstrate your value through the types of applications you’ve handled and your ability to manage both risk and stakeholder expectations.

List your roles in reverse chronological order. Under each job title, provide a brief outline of the company and your function, followed by bullet points breaking down your key responsibilities and achievements. Be specific – mention the volume or value of cases you handled, the tools and data sources you used, and the decisions or reviews you were responsible for.

If you’ve worked on large accounts, high-value clients, or regulated portfolios, make sure those stand out. And if you’re early in your career, focus on training placements, assistant roles, or admin experience that shows exposure to underwriting processes.

• Outline – Introduce the employer and give context: what type of organisation it was, what lines of business it handled, and what your role was within that structure.
• Responsibilities – Highlight what you did using action words like “assessed” and “authorised.” For example: “assessed life insurance applications for compliance with underwriting standards” or “authorised risk decisions up to £250k for mortgage lending.” Mention tools, systems, and frameworks you used to guide those decisions.
• Achievements – Quantify the impact of your decisions where you can – whether that’s turnaround times, error reduction, increased efficiency, or client satisfaction. If you played a role in improving risk strategy or contributing to regulatory audits, include that too.

The education section of your CV should clearly present your academic background and any qualifications that contribute to your professional knowledge in underwriting.

Begin with your most recent qualifications and work backwards. This might include degrees in finance or business, as well as specific industry certifications. Keep this section simple, structured as a short paragraph or list of sentences – bullet points are not used here.