Interviewing for a job is an opportunity to demonstrate your personality, abilities, and experience for the position.
One way that employers assess your relevant credentials is by asking you for a detailed summary of your resume.
Your interviewer is likely to begin the conversation with an introductory question like "Tell me about yourself." This type of interview question allows employers to understand more about your interests and how they align with the position you’re applying for.
"Walk me through your resume," is one of the most popular interview questions you'll hear from hiring managers throughout your job hunt. It might not appear to be difficult to answer, but you should resist the need to go through your whole resume point by point.
You'll impress the interviewer with your communication abilities if you keep your response to the fundamentals-
- Credentials
- Accomplishments
- Strengths
- Career aspirations
Why do Employers Ask, “Walk Me Through Your Resume”?
When hiring managers and other interviewers ask you to walk them through your resume, there's a good chance that they're trying to get a general sense of how you view your career and qualifications.
When you present your resume in person, it's important to remember that the hiring manager is not just looking at what's on the page—they're also trying to determine whether or not they think you're a good fit for the job by getting a sense of who you are as a person.
Often they get a sense of that by hearing your career story from you.
Your answer should be short and direct. Don't waffle on and on, but don't be so brief that the interviewer doesn't have time to ask questions.
Also Read: Job Interview Tips and Tricks in 2022
How to Answer, “Walk Me Through Your Resume”?
The “Walk me through your resume” question is one of the most common interview questions you’ll face. It’s also one of the toughest because it requires you to be prepared with a concise and well-rehearsed answer.
Follow these tips to give a prompt asnwer to "walk me through your resume":
1. Focus on Your Most Relevant Achievements
When answering this question, stay focused on what matters most to the interviewer — your achievements and skills. Do not get distracted by irrelevant details like dates or titles unless they are essential to understanding why you were successful in that role.
For example, if you have been promoted twice during your career at XYZ Company, mention what led to that promotion, and leave out the number of years each position was held.
Also Read: How to add relevant work experiences in resume in 2022
2. Highlight Your Skills Section
While most of the answer will consist of the professional experience, do give empnasis on the relevant skills you have.
Read the job description and identify skills required for the interview, before going on the interview. You can mention and point out these skills when they ask you to walk you through your resume.
Also Read: How to write the key skills section in a resume in 2022
3. Show What Walue To Can Add in Your Role
The interviewer wants to know how you will make the company more successful if hired. You can do this by showing how your experience and skills will help the company. For example:
I've been working as an accountant for five years, which has given me extensive experience in payroll and tax compliance. I've also been responsible for developing new processes that save time and money for my team. That's why I think this job is perfect for me — I'll be able to use my skills to help you achieve your goals!
4. Acknowledge Any Gaps You Have
If there are any gaps in your employment history, it’s best to acknowledge that upfront and explain why you had those gaps.
- Are there any good reasons for the gap?
- Did you go back to school?
- Were you caring for an ill family member?
- Or maybe it was just because of the economy at the time.
Be honest, but don’t get too specific – especially if you were unemployed for a long period of time. You don’t want the interviewer thinking that this might happen again in five years when they hire you!
5. Emphasize Why This Job is For You
Explain how you can be valuable to the job you're applying for. Showing that you have all the skills and experience required for the job will immidiately set you apart from other candidates.
6. Practice Your Answer
It's always a good idea to practice your answers before the interview.
Practice out loud so you can improve your delivery and get comfortable talking about yourself in front of others.
You can also practice using different examples and phrases so that each time you answer this question, it feels fresh and relevant to the role.
Also Read: Most Common Interview Questions in 2022: 10+ Sample Questions/Answers
Walk Me Through Your Resume Interview Question Sample Answer
Here are a few sample responses to help you out with the question can you walk us through your resume.
“Walk Me Through Your Resume” Sample Answer 1:
As a (domain name) intern, I had my first (domain name) experience. During the month of (add-value), I was in charge of (enlist responsibilities). I gained a lot of experience here and was eventually employed for a (full-time add-name) role.
My responsibilities increased significantly when I started my new job. I was in charge of the company's (enlist responsibilities).Some of the main accomplishments that I have mentioned on my resume is winning (add accomplishment). I also listed several relevant skills, such as my ability to (highlight the most relevant skills). I'm also very organized and detail-oriented, which I believe are important skills in my field.
“Walk Me Through Your Resume” Sample Answer 2:
"I've been working at (insert business name) as an (add-job-title) intern since I graduated from (add-name) University". I became more at ease in this position as time went on. Focusing on add-responsibility was a lot of fun for me.
I even took part in an add-on achievement. I won the add-accomplishment during my (add-year). This accolade reminded me why I went into the (add-sector) in the first place: to make a difference.
I can safely state in the skills part of my CV that I am driven, optimistic, and kind. I'm also pretty comfortable giving public speeches and learning new technologies."
“Walk Me Through Your Resume” Sample Answer 3:
"At (add-name-of-company), I began my career in (add sector). I got the opportunity to enhance my ( add-most-relevant-skill) talents while working as a (add job title) intern. In this capacity, I would (add relevant responsibilities).
I discovered that this role allowed me to work more closely with the (insert department name here), which helped me prepare for this position.
My employer has acknowledged me as (add-achievement) throughout my (add sector) career. This, I believe, is due to my desire to go above and beyond. I've mentioned that I'm organized, effective at problem-solving, and friendly in my skills section."
“Walk Me Through Your Resume” Sample Answer 4:
"I started working as a sales professional after my graduation in 2017. I was doing B2B inside sales and generated $1.2 million in sales for our company. Next year, I was promoted to a senior sales associate, and I trained 20 sales reps in that 2019. Then I got an opportunity at a competing company. Here I was appointed as a Sales lead. I oversaw the entire sales operations and optimized sales processes to increase the conversion rate by 12%. Right now, I'm searching for a new B2B inside sales leadership position, where I can apply my skills to optimize the sales process to bring more customers into the growing business. The job description at your company looked enticing, as I'll have the opportunity to train new team members."
“Walk Me Through Your Resume” Sample Answer 5:
"I started as a writer in my university magazine. Then I joined a local newspaper in 2018, worked there for a year, and worked my way to a Managing Editor in 2019. I oversaw a team of 7 writers and edited 20+ articles weekly for the newspaper. In 2020, I joined a prestigious online publication "Forbes," managing a team of 20 staff writers. In my stint at Forbes, I was awarded "Employee of the Year" for two consecutive years.
Now, I'm interviewing for an Editorial Director position since I feel I am ready to move ahead with my career with new challenges, and the Editorial Director position at your organization makes me excited for the role.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should you spend on walk me through your resume?
A suitable candidate can highlight their value succinctly. Do not spend more than 2 minutes answering this question.
Is tell me about yourself the same as walk me though your resume?
Both of these approaches are tried and tested methods to begin an interview. The slight difference, however, lies in the expectation.
"Tell me about yourself" is more of a career description that emphasizes the traits that make you the best match for the job. It's more of an open-ended question. You may begin by stating how long you've been in the role, what sectors you've worked in, or your significant career achievement.
In contrast, the interviewer usually wants a more structured response to "Walk me through your résumé" that lists your qualifications by job title.
Also Read: Job Interview Questions for 2022 with Q&A Samples
Key Takeaways
Preparing for interviews beforehand is important to put your best foot forward. Popular questions such as tell me about yourself, why do you want to work here, walk me through your resume, etc., are easy to prepare for.
- Employers ask questions such as ‘walk me through your resume’ to get the conversation going. It is usually asked at the beginning to set the tone of the conversation.
- Employers wish to understand the candidate’s story. It is important to give a succinct answer while highlighting relevant skills and accomplishments.
- It is best to briefly state the educational background and move on to how it helped in establishing your career.
- While explaining the professional history, it is important to share relevant information and not the resume point by point.
- Explain to the recruiter how your past experiences have prepared you for this role.
- Wrap up your response by mentioning your career plan ahead.
Visit Hiration’s Career Activator Platform for a smooth resume and cover letter-building experience. We provide 24/7 online chat support for your queries.
Additionally, reach out to us at support@hiration.com for any other professional assistance.
