A actuary resume needs these ATS keywords to pass automated screening: Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, FSA, FCAS, ASA, ACAS. Average actuary salary is $85,000 – $150,000. With 1,000 monthly resume-related searches, competition is high. Use the exact terms from each job description to maximize your ATS match score.
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These keywords appear most frequently in actuary job descriptions. Missing even a few can drop your ATS score below the screening threshold.
Hard and soft skills that actuary ATS systems look for
AI predictive modeling and automated risk pricing tools have accelerated actuarial calculations and routine reserving work. However, complex model design, regulatory filing strategy, assumption setting for novel risks, and communicating risk to C-suite executives require experienced actuarial judgment that AI tools augment but cannot replace.
Common mistakes that cause actuary resumes to fail ATS screening
List every passed actuarial exam with number and date: 'SOA Exam P (2021), FM (2021), IFM (2022), SRM (2023)' — exam progress is the primary career stage filter for actuarial ATS systems
Include your fellowship status or candidacy: 'ASA, FSA Candidate — 2 credits remaining' — this precisely positions you in the hiring market
List programming languages with specific actuarial applications: 'R (reserving triangles, GLM pricing)', 'Python (data manipulation, predictive models)' — technical skills are increasingly critical for actuarial roles
Specify practice area: P&C (property/casualty), Life, Health, Pension — each is a distinct actuarial specialization and firms hire for specific lines
Include 'reserving' and 'pricing' as separate keywords if applicable — these are the two primary actuarial functions and different teams recruit for each
List VEE (Validation by Educational Experience) credits and formal exam credits separately — actuarial coordinators review these carefully to assess advancement timeline
Key ATS keywords for actuary roles include: FSA, FCAS, ASA, ACAS, actuarial exams (with specific exam codes), reserving, pricing, IBNR, loss development, predictive modeling, R, Python, SAS, GAAP, and your practice area (P&C, Life, Health, Pension). Actuarial recruiters at insurance companies and consulting firms use specialty job boards and ATS that filter on exam progress and fellowship status as the primary career stage qualifier. Use ATS CV Checker to compare your exam credentials against specific employer postings.
Create a dedicated Actuarial Credentials section near the top of your resume. List each passed exam individually: 'SOA Exam P — Passed July 2021', 'SOA Exam FM — Passed January 2022'. For fellowship progress: 'ASA — Attained March 2024 | FSA Candidate — Completion Expected 2026'. List VEE credits and fellowship modules separately. For early career candidates (fewer than 3 exams), every exam passed matters significantly. Actuarial ATS systems and recruiters evaluate exam velocity (how quickly you're progressing) as well as raw count.
Programming has become a near-essential skill for modern actuaries. R is the most common actuarial programming language (used for reserving, GLM modeling, and reporting). Python is increasingly used for data pipeline work, machine learning, and automation. SQL is needed for virtually all data manipulation work. SAS remains relevant at some larger carriers. Actuarial candidates with strong programming skills progress faster, earn more, and have more employer options than those relying solely on Excel. Include your programming skills with specific actuarial applications to make them concrete and relevant in your resume.
P&C (property and casualty) actuaries work on reserving (estimating unpaid claim liabilities) and pricing (setting insurance rates). Key terms: loss development triangles, IBNR, combined ratio, rate adequacy, Schedule P. Life actuaries work on mortality and morbidity modeling, product pricing, embedded value, and reserve calculations. Key terms: mortality tables, GAAP reserves, IFRS 17, cash flow testing, embedded value. Pension actuaries (EA designation) focus on defined benefit plan valuation. These are distinct specializations — your exam pathway (SOA for Life/Health, CAS for P&C) signals your specialty, and your work experience should reinforce your area of focus.
Fellowship attainment (FSA or FCAS) is the primary prerequisite for management-track advancement. Beyond credentials, demonstrate: independent project management, junior analyst mentoring, cross-functional communication (presenting to finance or underwriting leaders), and assumption development ownership. Use your resume to document any presentations to senior leadership, assumption setting authority, and management of junior team members. Actuarial management candidates should also develop business writing and presentation skills alongside technical depth — the management track shifts from calculation to communication and strategic judgment.
Guides to help you pass ATS screening faster