Credit Analyst Resume: How To, Templates & Examples

Do you work well with numbers? Are you analytical, logical and able to make solid decisions? If the answer is yes, maybe you would consider a career as a credit analyst. These professionals review the financial state of companies and individuals and assess their creditworthiness, i.e., whether they’ll be able to repay a loan.
As a credit analyst, you’ll need a solid background in finance and be ready to assume many responsibilities. So, when applying for an open position, your credit analyst resume has to showcase your experience and dedication to the role.
In this article, we’ll teach you how to write a resume that will help you get the credit analyst job you’re after. Stay tuned for the essential tips on writing a killer resume and some samples that’ll provide the right direction.
So why would you decide to specialize in this niche job? Well, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for credit analysts in 2021 amounted to $88,030. So it’s worth polishing up your resume and selling yourself well!
Credit Analyst Resume Sample
Writing a resume from scratch can seem daunting; you’re probably not sure what to include and what to omit, and how to organize the information, so that the resume won’t seem overwhelming.
But, there is one thing you must keep in mind when drafting your resume – you’re writing a professional document.
Make sure to use a professional font – no Comic Sans! Make sure the font is well-spaced and between 11 and 12pt size for the main text.
You can always use one of our ready-made, and free, resume templates and simply fill in your information. It’s also a good idea to take the time to think about and write the resume yourself – from start to finish.
Don’t forget to then proofread your document and check for any mistakes you might need to correct.
Take a look at the sample here and use it as a guide.
[Lina Marvin]
[Credit Analyst]
[Rio Dell, CA 95562 | 444-444-4444 | linamarvin@randomemail.com]
Summary
A meticulous credit analyst with 3+ years of experience in the financial industry. Proficient in credit analysis and the assessment of both corporate and individual clients. Cut overdue accounts by 25% and lowered credit losses by 20%.
Experience
Credit Analyst
Hawthorn Bank | Fortuna, CA
October 2019 – Current
- Analyzing financial statements and credit requests to determine a client’s creditworthiness.
- Assessing the level of risk for each client.
- Cut overdue accounts by 25% and significantly lowered the bank’s credit losses (20%).
- Identifying potential customers and establishing credit lines.
- Reviewing existing loans on an annual basis and identifying areas of improvement.
Paid Intern
Central Bank | Rio Dell, CA
June 2019 – September 2019
- Prepared monthly credit reports on various clients.
- Developed a financial forecasting model and implemented it to client accounts.
- Stayed up-to-date on loan trends and identified the best type of loan for each customer.
Education
Bachelor of Finance and Financial Management
Santa Clara University
June 2019
GPA: 3.8
Skills
- Financial statements
- Credit reports
- Loan portfolio
- Quantitative analysis
- Financial Models
- MS Excel
Certifications
Credit Risk Certification
Risk Management Association
2020
Hobbies and Interests
- Volunteering at a soup kitchen once a week
- Chess
How Should You Format Your Resume?
One of the most important aspects of a resume is the format. Choosing the resume format is essential for success.
Usually, when choosing a resume format, you need to emphasize your experience in the field and include your educational background. However, remember that you need to make it clear and concise, so recruiters can quickly determine whether you’ll be a good fit for the position.
The best format is reverse-chronological. This showcases your most recent experience first, and shows any progress or promotions, which can help you land that important interview.
What About If You Don’t Have Experience?
Yet, there are cases when the applicant doesn’t have experience. So what happens then? In these situations, using the reverse-chronological resume would be pointless as there is nothing to fill in the required fields. This is when you can utilize the functional format.
If this is your case, you will need to emphasize your skills. For example, if you have worked in a similar role or have taken part in a project or event that has boosted your analytical skills, you can include it here.
On the other hand, for those with both skills and experience, the hybrid format is a good option, as it places an equal emphasis on both sections.
Resume Formatting Tips to Remember
There are a few other things to keep in mind when formatting your resume, regardless of which type you choose:
- Firstly, list only the relevant information – experiences, skills, certifications, etc., in the field in question or those that are very closely related.
- Secondly, use bullet points for better readability – Each skill/responsibility should be listed in a separate bullet point so that it’s more concise and clear for the recruiter.
- Finally, adjust the line spacing – Ensure the text is evenly spaced and clearly readable even at first glance.
Another good tip for if you want to further improve your chances, is that you should consider making your resume ATS-friendly
Do You Need a Resume Summary or Objective?
The first thing recruiters notice when they open your application is the resume summary or objective. Both of these are introductory statements that highlight your skills and experience and should present you as the ideal candidate for the job.
Even though they sound similar, there is one key difference between these two terms.
- Resume summaries are written by experienced candidates who have a rich background they can boast with.
- On the other hand, resume objectives are written by inexperienced applicants drafting an entry-level resume, who need to convince the recruiter they are worth considering despite their lack of experience.
Regardless of what type of introductory statement you write, keep in mind that it needs to be short and attention-grabbing. In no more than 4-5 sentences, you need to present your biggest strengths and convince the hiring team that you’re the right choice.
A Resume Objective: Example
Everyone needs to start somewhere, so don’t let the lack of experience or fear of rejection turn you away from applying for the job you want.
Below, you can see two credit analyst resume objective examples. One of them shows the wrong approach to writing a resume objective, while the other presents the right way to go about it.
Wrong ❌
I want to assume the role of Junior Credit Analyst, as I believe I have the necessary qualifications for the role. I have been certified in credit analysis, and although I lack the experience required, I am willing to learn in this position.
Now, what do you think is better about this next example?
Right ✅
Certified credit analyst, driven to advance my career in financial analysis. Possessing core knowledge of credit analysis, I can take on the responsibilities of a Junior Credit Analyst under the guidance of a senior co-worker. Receptive to feedback and ready to adapt to the new aspects of the Credit Analyst position.
You might have noticed the tone is different. When writing your resume, remember that you need to use a professional tone, but convey the message in a simple and straightforward way.
💡TOP tip
Write the objective when you have finished writing your resume. This way, you can have a general overview of what you’ve accomplished so far, allowing you to emphasize your strong points.
How Should You Describe Your Credit Analyst Experience?
We already mentioned that experience is one of the first things recruiters consider on credit analyst job applications. So, your past work experience is the ace up your sleeve – you just have to reveal it in the right way!
The first thing you need to do is make an inventory of all your work experience:
- The place of employment
- Relevant contact information
- The exact title in each position
- The length of the employment
- The key responsibilities for each role
When you describe your work history you need to stick to relevant experience, meaning that you shouldn’t include unnecessary information. Secondly, remember to format the key responsibilities in a bulleted list, and don’t make them longer than a single sentence.
The sentences need to be clear and well-structured. You need to avoid filler words; instead, include keywords, i.e., the words used in the job description. Make sure that the listed experiences correspond with your resume summary.
💡TOP tip
Submit references and recommendation letters about your experience alongside your resume to prove to recruiters that you are worth considering.
Let’s See an Example Experience Section
Before starting your credit analyst professional summary, take the time to read the following examples and pay attention to the details. You will need to then compile the details you need for yours, based on these samples.
First, let’s look at the wrong way to do it, so you avoid the same mistakes!
Wrong ❌
Work Experience
Credit Analyst
Citibank
2016-2020
- Credit analysis
- Financial reports
- Data analysis
- Financial models
- Getting customers
And this is how a well-written experience section should look:
Right ✅
Work Experience
Credit Analyst
Citibank
June 2016 – October 2020
- Conducted credit analyses to determine the creditworthiness of both individual and corporate clients.
- Created detailed financial reports to determine the level of risk for each client.
- Carried out thorough data analysis to identify oversights and find areas for improvement.
- Implemented existing financial models to client accounts in order to reduce credit losses.
- Attained new customers by identifying the best credit applicants based on a comprehensive financial analysis.
Although the second one looks a little too cluttered, it gives the recruiter all the necessary information on your work background. The first example is too short and general, so it doesn’t give anything that would make an employer consider your offer.
What Should the Education Section of Your Resume Look Like?
Most credit analyst job postings require candidates to have a formal education in finance or at least a certification that shows they’re qualified to take on the role. Holding at least a Bachelor’s degree in finance can significantly increase your chances of being hired.
The education section of a resume is particularly important for inexperienced applicants. As they have no work experience to show off, they need to highlight their educational background and prove that they’re qualified for the role.
Now For an Education Section Example
The one thing you need to remember when writing the education section of the resume is to only include real and relevant information. If you take a look at the examples below, you’ll see what we mean by this.
First, check out the wrong approach to writing an education section:
Wrong ❌
Education:
Mountain View High School, Mountain View
2016
University of San Diego
Bachelor’s Degree in Finance
2020
Now, look at the below example. Why is this the right way to include your education?
Right ✅
Education:
Bachelor of Finance
University of San Diego, CA
2016-2020
GPA: 3.8
As you can see, it’s important to add details to your education like the GPA (if over 3.50) and the years when you started and finished school. In some cases, you can add your high school education, but it’s usually advised to skip it and go directly to your university education.
In case you are still in school, and you’re applying for a credit analyst internship or part-time job, you must include that your studies are still ongoing.
You could include relevant coursework that shows the abilities you need for the role, such as anything including analytics or economics/finance.
If you have held any positions of responsibility within a college society, newspaper, team, etc., you could think about including this. For example, have you acted as treasurer for a fraternity or sorority, or a college charitable trust? This shows the handling of finances and can boost your resume.
What Credit Analyst Skills Do You Need on Your Resume?
Your skillset is often what sets you apart from other candidates. However, you need to decide which skills are worth mentioning and which ones can be omitted.
Remember, adding random skills to make the list seem longer won’t get you far in the recruitment process; in fact, it may turn recruiters away. Only include skills that you actually have and are applicable to the position in question. Importantly, remember not to embellish anything. You must not twist the truth in your resume!
Take a look at our selection of soft and hard skills that could nicely be included in a credit analyst’s resume, if you possess them!
Soft Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Interpersonal Skills
- Attention to Detail
- Time Management
- Analytical Skills
Hard Skills
- Accounting
- Quantitative Analysis
- Credit Data Analysis
- MS Excel
- SAP
Don’t forget that the skills can also be keywords, meaning that you should use the ones that the recruiter has added in their job posting. You can also add some general skills like “fast learner” or problem-solving skills that would interest the employer.
Do You Need Other Sections for an Effective Resume?
Your resume is more than your work experiences and education. It presents you as a person, so including something other than job titles and degrees can make you seem like a more appealing candidate.
If you’re in doubt about what to include in this section, remember the certificates and awards you received through the years. It’s also a good idea to include the languages you speak and other useful life-skills.
You can also add volunteer projects, passion projects, and hobbies or interests – we all have lives outside work, so let the recruiter see a glimpse of yours.
Example Extra Sections
Identify the achievements you are most proud of and the things you believe are the most interesting aspects of your personality. Take these, for example:
Certificates:
- Microsoft Suite Certification
- First Aid Certificate
Activities:
- Organizing Youth Club events on a volunteer basis
- Taking part in amateur golf tournaments
Languages:
- English – advanced
- Spanish – conversational
Remember that, just like with previous sections, you need details in them. For example, if you are adding the languages you know, make sure that you include the level of proficiency.
Now Go Get That Credit Analyst Job!
Credit analysts take on a lot of responsibility, so it’s no wonder financial institutions have a stricter recruitment process when hiring. If you have the experience or the education needed for the job, you just need a resume that will show the recruitment team you are the responsible individual they are looking for.
After reading our comprehensive guide on writing a stellar credit analyst resume, you know how to make yourself stand out among the rest of the applications. But before you go, let’s just reiterate the main points for success in your job search:
- Include correct information and make it as specific as possible by adding numbers whenever possible.
- Format the resume in reverse-chronological order, with the most recent experience first.
- All skills and responsibilities in previous roles need to be presented with bulleted lists to make the resume skimmable.
- Use short, concise sentences and avoid filler text.
- Pay attention to spelling and grammar, use a professional font and make sure that the text is evenly spaced.
- Always add extra skills to show the personal aspect you’d bring to the job.
- Focus on keywords to make the resume match the specific job posting.
Now that you have gone through all the sections of your resume, we can assure you that you’re ready to start applying to those open credit analyst positions.
Best of luck on your road to a successful career in credit analysis! Check out our career blog for more tips along your professional journey.