If you’re aiming for a career as an actuary, your resume isn’t just a formality—it’s your first impression, your foot in the door, and often your only shot at standing out in a highly competitive field. Unlike many professions where personality and networking can carry you far, actuarial hiring managers are looking for evidence of sharp analytical skills, technical proficiency, and a track record of delivering measurable results. That means your resume must be clear, precise, and packed with substance. But don’t worry—crafting a winning actuary resume is a skill you can master, especially when you know exactly what sections to include and how to make each one shine.
Let’s walk through the 10 essential sections every actuary resume needs, along with practical examples, insider tips, and a few personal observations from years of reviewing and writing resumes in this space. Whether you’re a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, these guidelines will help you present your best self on paper—and maybe even land that interview you’ve been hoping for.
Contact Information #
This seems obvious, but it’s surprising how many candidates bury their contact details or make them hard to find. At the very top of your resume, include your full name, phone number, professional email address, and LinkedIn profile (if you have one). If you’re open to relocation, you can add your city and state, but a full street address isn’t necessary.
Pro tip: Use an email that’s simple and professional—firstname.lastname@gmail.com is much better than cutiepie92@hotmail.com. Double-check for typos; a single digit off in your phone number could cost you an opportunity.
Professional Summary #
This is your elevator pitch—a concise, compelling snapshot of who you are and what you bring to the table. A strong summary mentions your years of experience, key skills, and one or two standout achievements. Tailor this section to the job you’re applying for, using keywords from the job description[1].
For example, a mid-level actuary might write: “Detail-oriented actuary with 5+ years of experience in health insurance pricing and risk assessment. Proven track record of developing predictive models that improved forecast accuracy by 20%. Skilled in R, SAS, and Excel, with a passion for turning complex data into actionable business insights[4].”
If you’re just starting out, focus on your education, internships, and eagerness to learn. Avoid generic statements like “hardworking team player”—instead, show what makes you unique[1].
Core Competencies or Skills Section #
Actuaries need a mix of technical and soft skills, and hiring managers scan this section to see if you have the right toolkit. List 6–10 key skills, prioritizing those mentioned in the job posting. Common ones include predictive modeling, statistical analysis, risk assessment, regulatory compliance, Excel, R, SAS, SQL, and communication skills[2].
Don’t just say “proficient in Excel”—specify what you can do, like “Advanced Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, macros)” or “Experience building Monte Carlo simulations in R.” This not only helps with applicant tracking systems (ATS) but also gives a clearer picture of your capabilities[2].
Professional Experience #
This is the heart of your resume. List your roles in reverse chronological order, starting with your current or most recent position. For each job, include your title, company name, location, and dates of employment. Then, use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and—most importantly—your achievements[4].
Focus on impact, not just duties. Instead of “Analyzed data,” write “Analyzed claims data for a portfolio of 10,000+ policies, identifying trends that reduced loss ratio by 15%[5].” Quantify your results whenever possible: “Led a team to implement a new pricing model, increasing profitability by 25%[2].”
If you’re early in your career, include internships, co-op positions, or even relevant academic projects. Even if the title wasn’t “Actuary,” highlight tasks that involved data analysis, modeling, or risk assessment.
Education #
List your degrees, the institutions where you earned them, and your graduation dates. If you’re a recent graduate, you can include your GPA (if it’s strong) and relevant coursework, such as Probability, Statistics, or Actuarial Mathematics. For those further along, just the basics are fine—your experience will speak for itself[2].
If you studied abroad or completed a thesis on a related topic, mention it. This section is also a good place to list academic honors or scholarships, especially if you’re light on work experience.
Certifications and Exams #
The actuarial profession is unique in its emphasis on professional exams. Clearly list any actuarial exams you’ve passed (e.g., SOA Exam P, FM, IFM), along with your progress toward associate or fellowship designations (ASA, FSA)[5]. If you’re an ASA or FSA, make sure it’s prominent—these are gold standards in the industry.
Also, include other relevant certifications, such as Chartered Enterprise Risk Analyst (CERA) or certifications in data science or programming. If you’re actively studying for exams, you can note “Exam SRM—Sitting May 2026” to show your commitment to professional growth.
Technical Proficiencies #
While some of your technical skills may appear in the core competencies section, a dedicated “Technical Proficiencies” area lets you go into more detail. List the software, programming languages, and tools you’re skilled with, such as Excel, R, Python, SAS, SQL, Tableau, and any actuarial-specific platforms (e.g., AXIS, Prophet)[2].
Be honest about your level—there’s a big difference between “familiar with” and “expert in.” If you’ve built models, automated reports, or led software upgrades, mention those accomplishments here or in your experience section.
Projects and Achievements #
If you’ve worked on notable projects—whether in a job, internship, or academic setting—create a separate section to highlight them. Describe the project’s goal, your role, and the outcome. For example: “Developed a predictive analytics platform that reduced claims processing time by 35%[3],” or “Spearheaded a data quality initiative that improved reserve estimation accuracy by 10%.”
This section is especially valuable if you’re early in your career or if your job titles don’t fully reflect the breadth of your experience. It’s also a great place to showcase teamwork, problem-solving, and innovation.
Professional Development and Affiliations #
Actuaries are expected to stay current in a rapidly changing field. Mention memberships in professional organizations like the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). If you’ve attended conferences, workshops, or continuing education courses, include those as well[2].
This demonstrates your commitment to the profession and your desire to keep learning. If you’ve presented at a conference or published an article, even better—highlight it here.
References #
Most resumes no longer include the line “References available upon request.” It’s assumed you’ll provide them if asked. Save the space for more impactful content. However, if a job posting specifically requests references, you can add a brief note at the end of your resume.
Final Tips and Personal Insights #
Writing a great actuary resume is about balance—between detail and brevity, between technical prowess and communication skills, between humility and confidence. Here are a few additional tips I’ve picked up over the years:
- Tailor your resume for each application. Use keywords from the job description and highlight the experiences most relevant to the role[1].
- Be specific. Vague statements like “improved processes” don’t stand out. Instead, say “streamlined data collection, saving 30 hours per month.”
- Show your personality (a little). While actuaries are known for their analytical minds, don’t be afraid to let some of your interests or volunteer work show—especially if they demonstrate leadership, teamwork, or community involvement.
- Proofread, then proofread again. Typos or formatting errors can make you look careless, no matter how strong your technical skills.
- Keep it to one or two pages. Even with extensive experience, conciseness is key. If you’re early in your career, one page is plenty.
Example Resume Sections in Action #
Let’s look at how these sections might come together for two different candidates.
Recent Graduate Example
Contact Information
Jane Doe | (555) 123-4567 | jane.doe@email.com | linkedin.com/in/janedoe | Boston, MAProfessional Summary
Motivated recent graduate with a Bachelor’s in Actuarial Science. Completed internships in risk modeling and data analysis, with proficiency in R, Excel, and SQL. Eager to contribute strong analytical skills and a fresh perspective to a dynamic actuarial team.Core Competencies
Statistical Analysis, Predictive Modeling, Data Visualization, Excel (Advanced), R, SQL, Risk AssessmentEducation
Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science, University of Massachusetts, May 2025
Relevant Coursework: Probability, Statistics, Financial Mathematics, Data ScienceCertifications and Exams
SOA Exam P – Passed, Exam FM – Sitting Fall 2025Professional Experience
Actuarial Intern, ABC Insurance, Summer 2024
• Analyzed claims data to identify fraud patterns, supporting a 10% reduction in suspicious claims payouts
• Assisted in building a predictive model for customer retention, improving accuracy by 15%
• Prepared monthly reports for senior management using Excel and TableauProjects and Achievements
Capstone Project: Developed a mortality model using R, achieving 95% accuracy in test dataProfessional Development
Member, Society of Actuaries (SOA)
Attended SOA Annual Meeting, 2024
Experienced Actuary Example
Contact Information
John Smith | (555) 987-6543 | john.smith@email.com | linkedin.com/in/johnsmith | Chicago, ILProfessional Summary
Seasoned actuary with 8+ years of experience in life insurance pricing and product development. Led cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions, resulting in a 25% increase in profitability and a 30% improvement in pricing accuracy. Adept at mentoring junior staff and communicating complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders[2].Core Competencies
Predictive Modeling, Regulatory Compliance, Financial Forecasting, Team Leadership, Excel, R, SAS, AXISProfessional Experience
Senior Actuary, XYZ Life Insurance, 2019–Present
• Directed a team of 5 analysts to enhance risk evaluation models, reducing forecast errors by 20%[3]
• Led the development of a new pricing platform, increasing efficiency and reducing manual errors
• Collaborated with IT to upgrade actuarial software, cutting computation time by 15%[3]Actuary, DEF Reinsurance, 2015–2019
• Managed actuarial valuations for 50+ client accounts, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards
• Optimized reserve estimation processes, improving accuracy and reducing review timeEducation
Master of Science in Mathematics, University of Illinois, 2015Certifications and Exams
Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA), 2020
Chartered Enterprise Risk Analyst (CERA), 2021Technical Proficiencies
Advanced Excel, R, SAS, SQL, AXIS, TableauProfessional Development
Frequent speaker at SOA conferences
Mentor, CAS Student Program
The Bottom Line #
A winning actuary resume is more than a list of jobs and skills—it’s a strategic document that tells your professional story, highlights your achievements, and demonstrates your fit for the role. By organizing your resume into these 10 essential sections, tailoring your content, and focusing on measurable impact, you’ll stand out in a crowded field.
Remember, your resume is a living document. Update it regularly, seek feedback from mentors or peers, and don’t be afraid to refine your approach as you gain more experience. With persistence and attention to detail, you’ll be well on your way to landing the actuarial role you deserve.