What To Include On A Loan Officer Resume + Loan Officer Skills

Learn about the important requirements, skills, and keywords that should be included in a loan officer resume.

An effective loan officer resume demonstrates the ability to see the big picture while managing the details. As the primary point of contact between loan customers and financial institutions, loan officers must be able to generate leads, persuade clients, match customers to products, and ensure the accuracy and compliance of complex documentation.

Loan officers work for banks, credit unions, car dealerships, and other companies that offer credit to consumers and businesses. Work experience, a history of closing deals, and razor-sharp sales skills are essentials in this business and should be reflected in your resume.

Expect to customize your application for each job opportunity, matching your skill set to the requirements listed in the job description. The first step will likely involve getting your resume past the applicant tracking system (ATS), which will weed out less qualified candidates. Once you’ve made it through the software filter, you’ll connect with a recruiter or hiring manager at the employer.

Here’s what to include–and avoid–when writing your loan officer resume.

Need help perfecting your application? We’ve reviewed the best resume writing services online. When your resume is updated, you can then start applying for new opportunities on ZipRecruiter.

Loan Officer Resume Example

John Smith

Mortgage Loan Officer

Contact

Email: John.Smith@email.com

Phone: (312)555-1670

City: Chicago, IL

Summary

Proactive and dedicated mortgage loan officer with a track record of excellent customer service, attention to detail, and lead generation. Consistently exceeds origination and loan closure targets by at least 10%. NMLS licensed in the state of Illinois.

Work Experience

Mortgage Loan Officer

June 2019-Present

Veterans Bank, Chicago, IL

Closed 20+ mortgage loans totaling more than $4 million, increasing closure rate by 15%. Increased client referrals by 20% through proactive marketing and advertising initiatives. Achieved 97% high customer satisfaction ratings in branch surveys.

Mortgage Loan Officer Assistant

January 2017-June 2019

Local Savings Bank, Chicago, IL

Prepared, reviewed, and entered data for 30+ mortgage loan applications per year. Developed and maintained relationships with clients, developers, Realtors, and other industry professionals.

Education and Certifications

Ivy State College, Middle City, IL

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, 2017

MLO License (Mortgage Loan Originator)

NMLS License (Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System)

Skills

• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Cross-selling
• Customer service
• Decision-making
• Data collection
• Knowledge of loan products (Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Veterans Affairs (VA), Fannie Mae)
• Lead generation
• Loan origination, processing, and closing
• Microsoft Office
• Negotiation
• Organization
• Problem-solving
• Risk management and compliance

What Is Unique About A Loan Officer Resume?

Loan officer resumes are focused on results and related work experience. Remember that recruiters and hiring managers typically spend no more than seven seconds reviewing a resume before moving on to the next applicant. You will need to demonstrate quickly that your qualifications and skills meet their needs.

What Should Be Included On A Loan Officer Resume?

A loan officer resume should highlight your relevant skills, experience, and qualifications. Highlight the following to demonstrate your abilities:

• Work experience: List related previous jobs as a loan officer or related positions in banking, finance, customer service, or sales.
• Results: Whenever possible, quantify your achievements. Include percentages that demonstrate increased loan approval rates or decreased delinquencies. Add dollar amounts of loans closed and offer average loan closure rates per month, etc.
• Loan officer skills: Match your skill set to the employer’s requirements by scanning the job description in the ad for keywords. Include these skills in your resume to ensure that your application will get past the applicant tracking system (ATS).
• Education and certifications: Typically, employers prefer candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or a related field. You may also need a certification, depending on your industry. Be sure to include these credentials in your resume and cover letter.

What Should Be Left Off As Loan Officer Resume?

The financial services industry tends toward the traditional, so you shouldn’t get too creative with your loan officer resume. Skip elements like:

• Excessive graphics: Loan officer resumes don’t need a headshot, infographics, or illustrations.
• Hard-to-read fonts: Stick to standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, and Times New Roman. Be sure that your formatting is consistent, clear, and easy to read.
• Unrelated jobs: Unless the position helped hone your sales, customer service, or decision-making skills, do not include it on your resume.
• Personal interests that don’t relate to the position: Don’t give the hiring team any reason to think that your focus will be divided between work and personal priorities.

Important Job Skills For Loan Officers

Loan officers typically need skills related to sales, customer service, explaining complex procedures to clients, and problem-solving. They will also need industry-specific knowledge of loan products. For example, a mortgage loan officer will need to know about the different requirements and specifications of Federal Housing Authority (FHA) loans versus Veterans Affairs (VA) loans, etc.

To make the best possible impression on the hiring manager for a loan officer position, highlight resume skills like the following:

• Accounting and financial analysis software, e.g., Bottom Line LoanMaster Loan Servicing, Experian Credinomics, Financial Industry Computer Systems Loan Accountant, VueCentric MortgageDashboard
• Active listening
• Communication
• Compliance
• Critical thinking
• Cross-selling
• Customer service
• Decision-making
• Interviewing and data collection
• Knowledge of loan products
• Lead generation
• Loan closing
• Loan origination
• Loan processing
• Math and financial skills
• Microsoft Office
• Negotiation
• Organization and attention to detail
• Problem-solving
• Risk management
• Selling
• Time management

The Bottom Line

As a loan officer, you already have an advantage over the typical job seeker: you know how to sell a prospect on a good deal. Use your loan officer resume to make sure that that hiring manager knows that you’re too good an opportunity to pass up.

If you’re struggling to quantify your achievements, our reviews of the best resume-writing services can help. Most offer a free resume review to new clients, so you’ll have a chance to try out each tool before you commit.

Once you’re ready to find your next job, check out ZipRecruiter for top employers who are hiring near you.