Overview
Insurance underwriting is a career that many graduates do not consider, but it offers structured training, clear progression, and the chance to develop real commercial judgement. Companies like Zurich, Aviva, AIG, and Allianz all run graduate programmes in Ireland and the UK, and they are looking for candidates who can assess risk, communicate with brokers, and handle detail-heavy documentation.
Aisling O'Brien is a business studies graduate from Dublin City University who completed a 6-month internship at Zurich Insurance Ireland. Her resume works because it shows she has already handled the core tasks of an underwriting role: reviewing risks, processing policies, and communicating with brokers.
What Makes This Resume Work
Internship experience with account-level detail. Reviewing 120 SME accounts and preparing recommendations for 40 new business cases gives the reader a clear picture of workload and responsibility. The premium range of €2,000 to €85,000 shows exposure to diverse risk profiles.
Customer service skills that transfer directly. Handling 45 calls per shift with a 92% satisfaction score at Three Ireland shows Aisling can communicate clearly and manage client expectations. In underwriting, broker relationships and client communication are daily requirements.
Industry-specific certification in progress. Starting the CIP Foundation qualification before beginning full-time work signals genuine commitment to the profession. It also means Aisling will arrive with some technical knowledge already in place.
Social enterprise involvement that shows values. Delivering a financial literacy programme to 200 secondary school students demonstrates communication skills, initiative, and an interest in making complex topics accessible, all of which are useful in insurance.
Key Takeaways
For graduate underwriting roles, focus on any exposure you have had to risk assessment, policy documentation, or client-facing work. Name the types of insurance, the number of accounts, and the premium ranges. If you lack direct insurance experience, highlight transferable skills from customer service, data analysis, or any role where you had to make judgement calls based on information. Starting a professional qualification early is a genuine differentiator.
