As a loan officer, you have the financial knowledge to guide individuals towards their homeownership dreams and life-changing purchases. Your expertise leaves clients feeling secure and informed.
Unfortunately, when it’s time to revamp your resume, you might find yourself needing a bit of guidance.
A perfectly-crafted loan officer resume will serve as your professional advertisement, steering you toward your ideal role in loan processing. Keep reading to find out how to make a standout document.
This guide will demonstrate:
- Leading loan officer resume examples.
- How to write a persuasive loan officer resume.
- Choosing the right format and design.
- Optional sections to consider adding.
- The importance of cover letters for loan officers.
- Essential insights to bolster your job hunt.
Need to refine your resume right away? Tap into our AI Resume Builder. Opt for a design befitting a role in the financial sector and receive section-by-section guidance, complemented by adjustable text suggestions.
Loan officer resume examples
Why this is a great loan officer resume sample
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Presents a compelling career objective
The candidate effectively uses an objective statement to emphasize their enthusiasm for finance and dedication to providing optimal financial solutions, marking them an ideal candidate for a loan officer role.
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Displays a broad skill range
Loan officers require both analytical and interpersonal skills, and this resume effectively spans a variety of competencies, from mortgage advising to financial product knowledge.
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Utilizes a functional resume format
This resume leverages a functional format, spotlighting a Professional Skills section that highlights in-depth abilities in loan processing. Grouping skills in this manner showcases the candidate’s broad and varied expertise.
Why this is a great loan officer resume sample
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Highlights their career trajectory
This loan officer illuminates their vast experience by incorporating it into an in-depth work history segment using a chronological resume format.
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Illustrates skills with quantifiable metrics
The candidate’s strengths are emphasized by specifying the exact number of loans processed or the value of loans sanctioned in previous positions, offering employers a quantitative perspective of their capability.
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A streamlined, easily digestible resume design
The candidate has opted for a basic and clear design, making it effortless for potential employers to quickly grasp their credentials and expertise. Such a straightforward layout ensures that their licensing and certifications stand out, underlining their proficiency in the finance sector.
Choose the best format for your loan officer resume
Think of your resume as a reflection of your career path. You want it to effectively convey the financial expertise and significant milestones you accumulated along the way.
The format of your resume plays a pivotal role in telling this story, and there are three primary formats. Each one is tailored for a different stage in your career as a loan officer:
- Chronological resume format: Ideal for experienced loan officers, this format centers on work history. If you’ve been in the finance sector for a considerable time, this format lets you spotlight your skills within the framework of each role you’ve undertaken, starting with the most recent and proceeding backward.
- Functional resume format: If you’re diversifying into a new niche, this skills-centric format can be the perfect fit. For example, if you’re shifting from mortgage lending to corporate finance, this layout emphasizes your transferable skills, such as client relationship management or financial planning, by employing multiple skills sections.
- Combination resume format: For loan officers around the midpoint in their careers, this format lets you showcase your skills balanced equally with your experience. You can also use this format to target a higher role, as you accentuate your loan management successes and leadership abilities while assigning equal importance to your work history.
After selecting the optimal format, your next move is to adopt an engaging and professional design.
Pick a standout loan officer resume template
As a loan officer, precision and professionalism are top considerations. Ensure your resume template embodies these values.
You might consider a creative template that allows for a hint of color or unique formatting, but steer clear of designs that are excessively intricate, which could detract from the content.
More likely, in a buttoned-down field like finance, you should opt for a simple resume. Such a streamlined design communicates professionalism and puts the focus squarely on your qualifications and accomplishments.
It’s essential to remember that hiring managers often go over resumes rapidly. That’s why it’s so important that your resume clearly and quickly communicates your skills, background and accolades. Section titles, bullet points and ample white space can seamlessly direct the reader’s attention.
If you need a particular file type, consider our Word resume templates or select a Google Doc template.
Let’s start by making a resume that genuinely showcases your loan officer expertise and accomplishments.
How to write an loan officer resume in 5 easy steps
Setting out on the journey to your next loan officer role starts with a standout resume. Here’s how you can create one in just five steps.
Step 1
Examine the job description
Job postings are a wealth of insights, especially for loan officers.
By delving into these ads, you can identify key skills and areas of expertise — such as underwriting, loan origination or risk assessment — that are pivotal and continuously evolving in the financial sector. This allows you to see exactly what specific banks or financial institutions are looking for, enabling you to tailor your resume in alignment.
This customization is vital because many financial institutions use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter out candidates who don’t meet specific criteria. These criteria typically involve a set of keywords related to skills and qualifications.
A well-structured loan officer resume should be adapted to embed these keywords, showing employers that you have the required qualifications and skills. If your resume lacks these essential keywords, it might not pass the initial ATS screening.
To draft an ATS-friendly resume, align it closely with the job description. Therefore, if the job listing emphasizes skills like “mortgage underwriting,” “client consultation” or “credit analysis,” ensure you incorporate those exact terms into your resume.
Add these keywords in your professional summary, skills section and work experience. Cross-reference your resume with the job description to ensure a perfect match in terminology, so the ATS picks it up.
By bringing these relevant keywords from the job listing into your resume — like “loan origination” and “risk assessment” — you’ll successfully navigate the ATS. This boosts your chances of your resume reaching an actual hiring manager.
Now, gear up to start drafting. And remember, while it may seem challenging initially, with time and practice, this process will be as straightforward as assessing a loan application.
Step 2
Construct a compelling professional summary or objective
Kickstart your resume with a compelling resume profile. Resume profiles come in two flavors — professional summaries and career objectives — and both can be effective for loan officers.
Professional summaries provide a three or four sentence overview of your professional journey and are best for those with a consistent career trajectory. Even better, loan officers with measurable successes, such as surpassing loan origination targets, can use it to highlight their achievements.
Career objectives, alternatively, detail your career aspirations and goals. These are especially beneficial for those new to the profession, like recent business graduates or those transitioning from other finance sectors. They offer a platform to underscore transferable skills and the distinctive value proposition you’d offer to prospective employers.
Let’s delve into how each of these would be articulated on a loan officer’s resume.
Loan officer professional summary example:
Experienced loan officer with over a decade in the mortgage industry, excelling in both residential and commercial loans. Demonstrated expertise in guiding clients through the loan application process with a 90% approval rate. Recognized for outstanding client relations and in-depth understanding of loan products.
Loan officer resume objective example:
Recent finance graduate from the University of Ohio, eager to apply knowledge of credit analysis and client consultation to the loan officer role at Chase Bank. Enthusiastic about supporting clients in financial decision-making and achieving their property ownership aspirations.
Step 3
Emphasize your most relevant skills
As a loan officer, you possess a wealth of skills — it’s essential to make them prominent on your resume. Your skills section should display a mix of technical abilities and interpersonal strengths.
Hard skills exhibit your expertise in loan origination, credit analysis and regulatory compliance, while interpersonal or soft skills underscore your ability to communicate, negotiate effectively and foster client relationships.
In the finance sector, keeping abreast with the latest technical skills is also crucial.
Below, we provide examples of skills that loan officers frequently mention on their resumes.
Hard and soft skills for a loan officer resume
- Loan origination
- Credit analysis
- Mortgage products knowledge
- Regulatory compliance
- Risk assessment
- Loan underwriting
- Communication
- Negotiation
- Relationship-building
- Team collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
Here’s an example of a detailed loan officer skills section:
- Proficient in loan origination and risk assessment.
- Skilled in credit analysis and mortgage product recommendations.
- Strong communication and negotiation skills for client consultations.
- Expertise in adhering to regulatory compliance and underwriting processes.
- Exceptional problem-solving capabilities in complex loan scenarios.
- Attentive to details, ensuring accurate and efficient loan processing.
Don’t sideline your computer skills. In today’s digitized finance sector, loan officers regularly use a range of software. Be it loan management systems, credit score platforms or CRM tools, showcasing your tech skills can give you an advantage.
Step 4
Put together a compelling work history section
Your resume should be a testament to your expertise and track record. The most effective way to highlight these accomplishments is by detailing your work experience on your resume.
Organize your roles, beginning with the most recent, and use bullet points to emphasize responsibilities and accomplishments for each position.
Both your hard and soft skills should be on full display throughout this section. Highlight any teamwork or joint projects to underline your adaptability and collaborative spirit — crucial traits in the finance world.
Remember to utilize action words and power phrases. These terms can bring past achievements to life and make even longstanding experiences feel pertinent.
Here’s an example of a solid loan officer work history entry:
Loan Officer, Premier Financial Services
Boston, MA
February 2017 – Present
- Manage a portfolio of over $5 million in loans, maintaining a default rate below 1%.
- Collaborated with a team of 12 financial professionals, enhancing the firm’s loan processing speed by 25%.
- Developed tailored loan packages, resulting in a 30% increase in customer satisfaction ratings.
- Led cross-functional teams in risk analysis sessions, optimizing loan quality and approval rates.
- Steadily updated knowledge on mortgage products and regulations, ensuring full compliance and high client trust.
As exemplified, using numbers can validate your contributions. Metrics show you used your skills to make a lasting mark in previous roles.
Step 5
List your licenses and certifications
In the finance sector, education and licensing are pivotal.
Begin by adding education on your resume with your highest academic credential, such as a bachelor’s degree or master’s. Then, list relevant licenses or certifications you’ve acquired, like the Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) license or any other specialized financial certifications.
How to present your education and certifications:
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Finance
Savannah College, Savannah, GA
CERTIFICATIONS
Certified Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO)
National Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS)
Advanced Certificate in Financial Risk Analysis
Financial Education Institute, Dallas, TX
Optional sections for your loan officer resume
Awards and industry recognition
You’ll make your resume even more impressive by listing significant awards and recognitions. Awards can illustrate your dedication to excellence in the finance and lending sector, and emphasize your expertise in the field.
How to list awards on your loan officer resume:
Loan Officer of the Year – September 2024
- Awarded by the National Finance Association for exceptional performance and exceeding loan targets for three consecutive quarters.
Best Financial Advisory Article – May 2020
- Recognized by the American Finance Journal for a pivotal article on the future of home loan trends in a post-pandemic era.
Professional associations
Highlighting your memberships in industry-specific associations can give you a competitive edge in the job market. These associations not only showcase your commitment to professional development but also demonstrate your active engagement with current industry practices and trends.
How to list professional associations on your loan officer resume:
- Member of the National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB).
- Active participant in the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) seminars and workshops.
Hobbies and interests
Your interests outside the office can offer a holistic view of your personality. However, ensure that they are relevant to your role and can highlight transferable skills beneficial for a loan officer.
How to list interests and endeavors on your loan officer resume:
- Attend financial literacy workshops as a guest speaker.
- Run a personal finance blog advising on loan processes.
- Mentor aspiring financial professionals.
Continuing education
Continuous learning is imperative. Emphasize any additional courses, certifications or workshops you’ve attended to underline your commitment to professional growth.
How to list continuing education on your loan officer resume:
- Advanced Mortgage Planning, National Finance Academy
- Workshop on Digital Lending Platforms, Financial Tech Symposium
- Online Course in Financial Product Marketing, Finance Webinar Series
Community engagement
Being engaged in the community, especially in financial literacy or outreach programs, can be a valuable addition. It not only showcases your dedication to the community but also highlights your commitment to your field outside of regular job duties.
How to list community involvement on your loan officer resume:
- Offered mortgage consultation sessions at community financial fairs.
- Volunteered in programs promoting financial literacy for young adults.
- Hosted a charity event to raise funds for financial education in underserved communities.
Add a cover letter
When you’re facing a lot of competition for a coveted role, a well-crafted cover letter can set you apart.
Though not always a prerequisite, a cover letter can be likened to that detailed financial report that stands out in an annual review. It’s an avenue for you to emphasize unique skills and insights that may not be readily evident on your resume.
Use it to explain what brought you into the finance sector, or to outline your future aspirations as a loan officer. Perhaps you want to highlight the satisfaction of assisting clients in realizing their dreams or the challenges you’ve overcome in your history as a loan officer.
If you’re feeling a bit lost, our guide on how to write a cover letter coupled with our collection of successful cover letter examples can offer insight into what makes a cover letter exceptional.
For a touch of sophistication, pick a cover letter template to tailor using our Cover Letter Builder. Find a style that complements your resume design.
Keep in mind, a cover letter is an extension of your resume. You don’t want to cover the same territory — you want to expand on it. Let your enthusiasm for finance shine brightly, and you’ll be well on your way to securing your next role.
Loan officer resume — key takeaways
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Tailor your resume to the job description
Modify your resume to fit each job description, highlighting loan officer expertise and specifics mentioned in the job post.
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Combine diverse skills
Feature both your technical knowledge of lending processes and your interpersonal skills. Balancing financial acumen with client relationship management is essential.
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Quantify your achievements
When feasible, utilize metrics to highlight your successes, such as the number of loans approved, loan volume managed or the percentage growth in client referrals.
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Emphasize relevant qualifications
List pertinent financial certifications or accreditations, such as Mortgage Loan Originator License or Certified Loan Processor.
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Spotlight your practical experiences
Your hands-on experience in the lending sector is invaluable. Elaborate on the types of loans you’ve facilitated, the clientele you’ve served and any key milestones achieved.
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Attach a compelling cover letter
In the world of finance, communication is pivotal. Advocate for your candidacy with a compelling cover letter that complements your resume.
Commonly asked questions about resume writing
Don is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than 10 years’ experience creating digital content, including four years helping job seekers develop their careers. He holds an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University.
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