A Step-By-Step Guide To Writing An Investigator Resume

Updated 22 August 2023

A professional resume is an important part of the job application process because it summarises your experience, skills and qualities for the job. Employers frequently analyse resumes and cover letters to identify which candidates are an ideal fit for the job role. Knowing how to write an exceptional resume for the job of an investigator can help you strengthen your position as a candidate and catch the attention of hiring managers. In this article, we discuss what an investigator is and what they do, explain how to write an investigator resume and share a template and a sample resume.

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organisations mentioned in this article are associated with Indeed.

What Is An Investigator?

Investigators are experts who collect evidence and information about suspects, participate in raids and arrests, question suspects and look for questionable conduct. They monitor situations, pursue leads and analyse the facts of a case to ascertain fault, criminal liability or precisely what happened. Staff Selection Commission (SSC) or Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) are two nationwide examinations required for joining a national detective agency. Investigators may work for intelligence agencies, such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the National Investigation Agency (NIA) or state investigating agencies. Candidates can apply to work there by taking the agency's entrance tests.

There are several types of investigators, like:

Credit investigators: They examine credit applications for financial organisations to assess whether the applicant is eligible for financial services, such as credit or loans.
Criminal investigators: They follow clues, gather evidence and research the details of criminal cases to assess the criminal responsibility of suspects.
Insurance investigators: They verify the veracity of insurance claims to protect insurance providers from fraud.
Private investigators: They enquire into private matters and gather evidence to support suspicions of criminal activity, misconduct or other nefarious behaviours.
Special investigators: They work in a variety of sectors, such as law enforcement or social services, to investigate specific instances to identify criminal culpability or misconduct.

How To Write An Investigator Resume?

Follow the steps explained below to learn how to write an effective investigator resume:

1. Include a header

The resume header is the leading section at the top of a resume that includes your personal information. It allows hiring managers to establish who sent the resume so that they can link the resume to the proper application. Hiring managers who may interview or send qualified candidates emails can use the resume header as a reference. As all of your contact information is at the top of the page, hiring managers may immediately contact you. Your resume header may include your full name, address, phone number email address. You may list your social media or portfolio, if applicable.

2. Create a professional resume summary

A professional summary is a brief description of your qualifications and what you want to achieve in your career. The resume summary is usually a paragraph of one to five sentences. Reading the job description might be useful to see if your qualifications match what your potential employers want in a candidate. Begin the summary with a powerful personal adjective like conscientious, confident, resourceful or expert. You can also use keywords used in the job listing. Check if these words accurately represent you. Next, explain your career aspirations briefly and what value or skills you bring to the firm.

3. Add a work experience section

You can highlight your professional expertise in the work history part of your resume. If you possess previous experience, include the employment history section after the professional summary. If you possess only a little experience in the sector, list your work experience at the end of your resume. This section generally includes important details like previous job designations, the names of the organisations where you worked, the dates you worked there, key achievements and chief responsibilities you held.

List only the jobs you held that gave you the required work experience that is pertinent to the position you are applying for now. For example, include jobs that you held in the insurance sector if you are looking for the job of an insurance investigator.

4. List your educational background

After mentioning your professional background, include any educational credentials you earned in your resume. You may include any degrees, diplomas or other certificates that you received from universities, professional courses or other educational programmes that you have completed. Add the degree name, dates of attendance, the institution's name and any outstanding academic achievements. You may also list high scores or academic scholarships as examples of the latter.

5. Include relevant skills

Investigators operate in a variety of fields and may require specialised abilities depending on their duties. Highlight the most critical soft and hard skills you possess that are necessary to perform the job responsibilities in your resume. This can assist hiring managers in determining whether you are suitable for the position. A criminal investigator, for example, might require evidence collection, surveillance, investigative procedure and witness interviewing abilities. Whereas an insurance investigator may require distinctive skills, such as insurance procedure training, fraud investigation skills and knowledge of insurance paperwork.

Template For An Investigator's Resume

Here is a resume template for investigators that you may modify as required:

[First name] [Last name] [Phone number] | [Email address] | [City], [State]

Professional Summary

[Two to three sentences that highlight years of experience, relevant skills, education or certifications, and achievements as a professional.]

Experience

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City], [State]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City], [State]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

Education
[Degree and major], [Name of school or university]

Optional
[Certification name], [Host organisation] - [Year completed or expiration date]

Sample Resume For The Role Of Investigator

Here is an example resume that you can refer to when applying for the position of an investigator:

Harry Poddar 91-2800081009 | Harry_Poddar1@himail.com| Kolkata, West Bengal

Professional Summary
Seasoned and resourceful Insurance Investigator with over eight years of experience at renowned insurance companies and a proven track record of producing precise and detailed reports and detecting and preventing insurance fraud.

Work Experience
Insurance Claims Investigator, January 2016-January 2022
Loki Insurance Corp, Kolkata, West Bengal

Reviewed personal accidents to determine liability
Handled accidental insurance claims and investigated suspected fraud
Interviewed experts and insurance holders to verify claims
Recorded claims and protected client privacy and security
Testified in court cases where claimants were guilty of insurance fraud

Insurance Claims Processor, July 2013-December 2015
ABC General Insurance, Kolkata, West Bengal

Documented insurance claims and authorised payouts
Followed company guidelines and procedures and executed insurance policies
Verified client information and processed claims

Education
BA in Criminology, Howrah Humanities Institute
Certificate in Fraud Investigations, NRDI-Expiration date August 2024

Tips For Composing An Impressive Resume

Here are a few tips you may follow while creating your resume to make it more attractive to potential employers:

Be concise. Keep your resume brief, add only the most relevant information to keep it to two pages.
Use a professional email address. Ensure that your name features in the email to make it easier for hiring managers to remember.
Examine the job description. Rereading the job posting gives you a clearer idea of the qualifications required and allows you to check for keywords you can use in your resume.
Proofread the final draft. Revise your resume to ensure that it is free from errors.
Save your resume with a proper filename. Including your name as a part of the filename makes it more identifiable.
Use a clear resume font. Make sure you use a professional-looking font between sizes 10 and 12.
Choose the correct resume format. If you are an entry-level professional, you may use the functional resume format, while if you do possess some work experience, you can use the reverse-chronological format.
Be accurate. Make sure you provide information that your past and future employers can verify easily.
Provide updated contact details. This makes it easier for hiring managers to email or call you for further exchanges.
Add important achievements and awards. Make sure you quantify your accomplishments from your previous jobs to make them more noticeable.