If you’re looking for a role in the insurance industry that centers on helping policyholders obtain fair settlements, you might be interested in a career as a public adjuster. Though many public adjusters are self-employed, many others find employment with public adjuster groups. To maximize your chances of getting hired by the latter, it’s important to know how to put together a resume that helps you stand out from the competition.
In this article, we explain what a public adjuster is, discuss the steps for writing a resume for a public adjuster position, and provide both a template and an example to help you write your resume.
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What is a public adjuster?
A public adjuster is an independent insurance professional who works on behalf of a policyholder rather than an insurance company. This role differs from that of an independent adjuster, who is a contractor hired by an insurance company that can’t assign an internal adjuster to a claim. An individual might hire a public adjuster immediately after their property sustains damage or if they enter a dispute with their insurance company. The goal of the public adjuster is to obtain a fair settlement for their client. In return, they take a percentage of the settlement as payment.
Public adjusters undergo the same training and credentialing as company-employed claims adjusters. Their primary duties include reviewing and interpreting a client’s insurance policy, evaluating and analyzing losses, calculating the estimated costs for repair or replacement and negotiating for an appropriate settlement. Aside from the potential for a larger settlement, a public adjuster can benefit the policyholder by explaining the policy in easily comprehensible terms and relieving them of the stress associated with the claims process. Thus, they can be especially useful for handling large, complex claims, such as those for natural disasters.
How to write a public adjuster resume
Follow these steps when you’re ready to write your resume for a public adjuster position:
1. Understand the employer’s requirements
When you find a listing for a public adjuster position, make sure to read the job description carefully so that you understand what qualities the employer is seeking in their ideal candidate. Different employers are likely to have different preferences and requirements. For example, some may be willing to hire candidates with a high school diploma, while others may ask only for college graduates. Take note of these requirements so that you can affirm them on your resume, thereby assuring the hiring manager that you meet the eligibility criteria for the job.
2. Create an easily visible header
The header is the part of your resume that displays the information necessary for the hiring manager to identify who you are and reach you for an interview. To create an easily visible header with clearly delineated information, separate the section into two lines. The first line is for identifying information, specifically your name. Because licensure is a requirement to be an adjuster in most states, it may be a good idea to include a title as well, such as “Licensed Public Adjuster.”
The second line is for your contact information—phone number, email address and general location. Make sure to use a phone number to which you have regular access throughout the day and an email account with a professional handle. For your location, mention your city and state, but it’s not necessary to include your full address.
3. Introduce yourself
The next section of the resume is the professional summary, also known as a resume summary. This is where you introduce yourself to the hiring manager in terms of descriptors and relevant qualifications. Most professional summaries are only two to three sentences long and mention the candidate’s experience, skills and credentials. Refer back to the job description to inform the language you use here. For example, if it describes the employer’s ideal candidate as “dedicated and ambitious” and it mentions a license by name, use the same phrasing in your professional summary.
4. Discuss your relevant experience
The employment history section is where you list your relevant professional experience in reverse chronological order. For every entry in this section, include the professional title you held, the dates of your employment, the name and general location of your employer and a bulleted list of the duties you performed. As you describe each duty, try to discuss its purpose, an achievement or an outcome of your efforts related to it. Such details can show the hiring manager that you’re capable of obtaining desirable results.
If you have limited or no previous professional experience as an insurance adjuster, try to include work that requires the same skills that adjusters use. For example, a customer service role could be an appropriate inclusion since it involves attaining desirable outcomes for others, much like a public adjuster.
5. Include a list of skills
Job descriptions often mention specific competencies that the employer would like in their ideal candidate. Mentioning those skills in a dedicated skills section is another way to assure the hiring manager that you’re a strong contender for the job. Aim for at least six skills in this section. If you wish, create short bulleted lists of your achievements associated with each skill, in which case you can reduce the number of skills to three or four.
6. Mention your education
The education requirement to become a public adjuster varies depending on the preferences of the employer, with some accepting high school diplomas and others asking for a postsecondary degree. In either case, the education section of your resume follows the same format. Specify the title of the credential you have, the academic institution where you earned it and the general location of the institution. If you have multiple postsecondary degrees, list each one, starting with the most recent.
7. Include a licensing section
The role of a public adjuster may require licensing according to the laws of the state in which you work. Because licensure is likely to be a requirement of the job, include a section on your resume dedicated solely to your professional credentials. Specify the title of the license, the authority that issued it and the year in which you earned or last renewed it. If you don’t yet have a license but expect to earn one, it’s appropriate to note the expected date of licensure.
Public adjuster resume template
Use this template and adapt it to your needs when writing your resume:
[Name], [Title, if applicable]
[Phone number] I [Email address] I [City, State]
Professional Summary
[Introduce yourself in two to three sentences. Mention qualifications such as your experience, skills and credentials. Refer to the job description to guide you.]
Experience
[Professional Title] I [Start date–End date]
[Employer Name] I [City, State]
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[Strong verb] + [duty] + [purpose, outcome or accomplishment]
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[Strong verb] + [duty] + [purpose, outcome or accomplishment]
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[Strong verb] + [duty] + [purpose, outcome or accomplishment]
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[Strong verb] + [duty] + [purpose, outcome or accomplishment]
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[Strong verb] + [duty] + [purpose, outcome or accomplishment]
[Professional Title] I [Start date–End date]
[Employer Name] I [City, State]
-
[Strong verb] + [duty] + [purpose, outcome or accomplishment]
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[Strong verb] + [duty] + [purpose, outcome or accomplishment]
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[Strong verb] + [duty] + [purpose, outcome or accomplishment]
Skills
[Skill] I [Skill] I [Skill] I [Skill] I [Skill] I [Skill]
Education
[Degree or Diploma] I [Name of School]
[City, State]
License
[Title of License], [Issuing Body] – [Year earned or renewed]Public adjuster resume example
Review the following example of a public adjuster resume to help you understand what to do:
Rachel Englund, Licensed Public Adjuster
904-222-5555 I [email protected] I Jacksonville, FL
Professional Summary
Committed and self-motivated 3-20 Licensed Public Adjuster. Looking to apply six years of experience and well-developed communication, computer, negotiation and customer service skills to a full-time Public Adjuster role.
Experience
Public Adjuster I August 2019–Present
Williamson Public Adjusters I Jacksonville, FL
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Conduct property inspections to determine circumstances of damage and potential coverage options for the client
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Translate policies and the claims process for clients, ensuring total comprehension of the procedures and expectations
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Maintain close contact with clients throughout the claims process to provide support and assurance
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Gather all required documents to ensure proper submission of a claim
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Negotiate fair settlements for the client, often resulting in higher-than-expected returns
Associate Claims Adjuster I May 2016–August 2019
Province Insurance Co. I Jacksonville, FL
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Reviewed insurance claims, ensuring accuracy and compliance with regulations
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Sought additional documentation from clients to preempt claims delays
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Implemented claim management software to estimate future claim costs
Skills
Communication I Customer service I Xactimate I Negotiation I Attention to detail I Problem-solving
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Communication I Coastal University
St. Augustine, FL
License
3-20 Public Adjuster License, Florida Office of Insurance Regulation – 2021 (renewed)
I hope you find this article helpful.
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