Loss prevention specialists minimize the risk of robbery, operational loss, and supplier fraud. There are numerous risk factors for a company’s assets, but there are also several ways to prevent them, and this is where loss prevention specialists are helpful.
Companies can face operational losses that involve the improper use of merchandise and a lack of efficient practices to minimize human errors. A loss prevention specialist might suggest implementing the appropriate onboarding process and training for employees to prevent operational losses.
Additional loss prevention responsibilities include monitoring surveillance video tools and investigating possible theft cases. Therefore, it is essential to indicate your familiarity with electronic loss prevention tools on your resume. This includes surveillance cameras or POS systems.
As a loss prevention specialist, you will have to evaluate a company’s current security protocols to identify areas that need improvement. That’s why it is key to mention your auditing skills on your resume.
Loss prevention specialists, also called loss mitigation specialists, must constantly monitor inventory and employees’ activities. This way, they ensure that security protocols are followed both internally and externally. Asset loss can also occur from external theft or supplier fraud.
Jump to a resource:
Get advice on each section of your resume:
The loss prevention manager is responsible for protecting a company’s assets from fraud, operational damage, or theft. They create policies and systems to prevent losses and coordinate with employees to follow these protocols. This is a senior-level position, so you should highlight your leadership experience in your resume.
As a loss prevention manager, you must implement security protocols to minimize risks and address issues. For example, you might have to interrogate suspects of robbery and redirect them to police officers if that’s the case. You should also create a system that prevents these problems from happening in the facilities.
Preventive loss managers should be proficient in risk control techniques. Some preventive measures include setting and monitoring surveillance cameras and checking incoming or outcoming merchandise. Additionally, prevention managers are part of the hiring and onboarding process. This means that you might pre-scan applicants to evaluate their integrity and train them so they can follow security protocols.
A loss prevention specialist reduces financial losses associated with theft or fraud by implementing preventive and remedial techniques. You will evaluate a company’s financial records to identify suspicious trends. This is why most loss prevention specialists have a background in accounting or finances. You should also highlight your experience in the retail industry on your resume.
You should be familiar with accounting software and Microsoft tools to create reports. You don’t need to be a computer scientist in order to work as a loss prevention specialist, but you should ideally have basic computer knowledge. These days there are numerous security and accounting programs that could help you automate redundant tasks. If you are familiar with any industry-relevant tools, you should mention them in your resume.
Loss mitigation specialist is just another way of saying loss prevention specialist. As a loss mitigation specialist, you will conduct an evaluation process to determine potential risks in the company’s operations. Then, you must implement a strategy that helps the organization mitigate these risks. Ideally, you should highlight your problem-solving and conflict-management skills on your resume. You can talk about challenges you’ve faced as a mitigation loss specialist and how you addressed them.
One of the core skills you should have as a mitigation loss specialist is your research skills. You should have a sharp eye to identify suspicious behavior in employees and customers. Your potential employer might be looking for someone with analytical thinking and attention to detail.
As a hiring manager who has recruited for companies like Walmart, Target, and Amazon, I've seen countless loss prevention resumes. The best ones always stand out by highlighting the candidate's unique skills and experiences that are directly relevant to the job. In this article, we'll cover some key tips to help you craft a strong loss prevention resume that will catch the attention of hiring managers and increase your chances of landing an interview.
Employers value candidates who have invested in their professional development and have the necessary certifications and training for the job. Be sure to highlight any relevant certifications or training you have completed, such as:
By showcasing your certifications and training, you demonstrate your commitment to the field and your ability to perform the job effectively.
A resume summary for a loss prevention job is optional, but it can be a great way to quickly highlight your most relevant qualifications and experiences. While a resume objective statement focuses on your career goals, a summary emphasizes your skills and accomplishments. If you have extensive experience in loss prevention or are making a career change into the field, a summary can provide valuable context that may not be immediately apparent from the rest of your resume.
When writing your summary, avoid repeating information that's already covered in other sections of your resume. Instead, focus on adding new details or providing a high-level overview of your qualifications. Keep it concise, typically no more than a few sentences or a short paragraph.
The work experience section is the heart of your resume. It's where you highlight your relevant experience and accomplishments to show employers you're the best candidate for the job. Here are some key tips to make your work experience section stand out:
The education section of your loss prevention resume should be concise and highlight your most relevant qualifications. Whether you're a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, this section should demonstrate your commitment to learning and growth in the field.
You should demonstrate your tangible value on your resume. That’s why it might be a good idea to incorporate your achievements into your work experience. Yet, you don’t want to sound salesy. You must be concise and precise. Therefore, you should use strong action verbs that synthesize your phrases in a single word.
Notice how “supervised,” “reduced,” and “mitigated,” accurately describe some achievements you could mention as a loss prevention specialist. We’ve prepared a few action verbs that you can use on your loss prevention resume. Take a look at them below.
For a full list of effective resume action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs.
As we mentioned earlier loss prevention requires a combination of financial and security skills, and this is what you should reflect on your resume. You should include skills such as asset protection, familiarity with theft regulations, surveillance, and criminal investigation. Additionally, it is important to mention your familiarity with electronic loss prevention tools.
You should also indicate your knowledge of accounting software and reporting tools. These will help you trace possible losses, evaluate the performance of your strategies, and report your discoveries to stakeholders. If you want to check more skills to include in your loss prevention resume, take a look at our selection.
You can include the above skills in a dedicated Skills section on your resume, or weave them in your experience. Here's how you might create your dedicated skills section:
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Loss Prevention job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more 'important' it is.
Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.
