The demand for mortgage-loan officers and document specialists is on the rise as banks staff up to restructure troubled mortgages and work with refinancing applicants.
Applying to jobs in the field? Here are three words to include on your resume that can help you stand out to recruiters.
1. Originations. For those with industry experience, the most important item on their resume is the dollar amount in mortgage originations, said Douglas Rickart, division director of Robert Half Financial Services Group in Minneapolis. And include a growth figure -- either year over year or quarter to quarter.
"Make sure you put down something that can demonstrate success that you've had," he said.
2. New-purchase activity. An increasing number of employers are looking for people with experience with new-home purchases. Recruiters will scrutinize the amount of time and dollars originated in new-purchase transactions compared with refinancing.
Even so, don't discount your refinancing experience -- if you've got it, put that down, too.
3. Business development. If you don't have past experience in the field, recruiters will look at how you've developed a network of referral sources that could help in the mortgage industry. Make sure you underscore your approach to business development.
Beyond the ResumeBut keep in mind that resumes, while important, will get you only so far. Networking is often far more critical to job-search success, said Rickart.
"Make sure you reach out to the hiring manager and represent yourself in the best possible light," he said. "The best thing to do is find someone in the industry and spend a day with them."
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