When an interviewer asks, Can you walk me through your resume?, they’re not just looking for a dry recitation of your work history. They’re trying to understand how your skills, experience, and accomplishments make you the ideal candidate for the job. Here are some strategies and example responses to help you tackle this question with confidence:

Start with a brief overview
Begin by providing a concise overview of your background, highlighting your most relevant experience and skills. This will give the interviewer a sense of your overall qualifications.

I’ve been in the industry for about 5 years, with a focus on marketing and project management. My resume highlights my achievements in leading cross-functional teams and developing successful marketing campaigns.

Highlight your achievements
Instead of just listing your job responsibilities, focus on the specific achievements and results you’ve achieved in your previous roles. Quantify your accomplishments by using numbers and statistics.

In my previous role at XYZ Corporation, I increased sales by 25% within 6 months by implementing a new pricing strategy and building strong relationships with key clients.

Emphasize transferable skills
Even if you’re changing careers or industries, there are likely skills you’ve developed that can be applied to the new role. Highlight these transferable skills and explain how they can be valuable in the position you’re applying for.

Although my background is in sales, I’ve developed strong communication and problem-solving skills that I believe would be highly valuable in a project management role.

Show enthusiasm and passion
Demonstrate your passion for the industry or company, and express your excitement about the role. This will show the interviewer that you’re genuinely interested in the position and motivated to contribute.

I’ve always been fascinated by the tech industry, and I’m thrilled about the opportunity to bring my skills and experience to a company like yours that’s pushing the boundaries of innovation.

Prepare to elaborate
Be prepared to provide more details and examples to support your claims. The interviewer may ask follow-up questions to drill deeper into your experience or achievements.

Can you tell me more about the marketing campaign you led? Ah, yes. We developed a multi-channel campaign that included social media, email marketing, and event sponsorships. We saw a 50% increase in brand awareness and a 20% increase in sales within 3 months.

Keep it concise
Remember to keep your response concise and to the point. Aim for a 1-2 minute summary, and avoid rambling or including unnecessary details.

With over 10 years of experience in customer service, I’ve developed a strong ability to empathize with customers and resolve complex issues efficiently. I’m excited to bring my skills to a role where I can make a positive impact on customer satisfaction.

Use the STAR method
The STAR method is a helpful framework to structure your response. It stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. This will help you provide a clear and concise story that showcases your skills and achievements.

In my previous role, we were facing a tight deadline to launch a new product (Situation). My task was to lead a team to develop a marketing strategy and execute it within 6 weeks (Task). I worked closely with the team to develop a comprehensive plan, and we were able to launch the product on time (Action). The result was a 30% increase in sales within the first quarter (Result).

By using these strategies and example responses, you’ll be well-equipped to handle the question Can you walk me through your resume? with confidence and showcase your skills, experience, and achievements to potential employers.

In conclusion, when asked to walk an interviewer through your resume, remember to highlight your achievements, emphasize transferable skills, show enthusiasm and passion, prepare to elaborate, keep it concise, and use the STAR method. By doing so, you’ll be able to effectively communicate your value as a candidate and increase your chances of landing your dream job.

Be kind ❤