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By Reid - March 8, 2022

Walk Me Through Your Resume

Job interviews can be tough - no doubt about it! They are intense, put you on the spot, and can sometimes feel like no matter how much time you put into preparing for the interview; it just isn’t enough.

Depending on the role and what the hiring manager is looking for, questions can vary drastically.

However, some common/recurring questions typically include: ”Tell me a bit about yourself,” “Do you have any relevant experience?”, “What made you apply for the role?” and “Walk me through your resume.” The final request listed, “Walk me through your resume,” can often be the hardest to answer.

Questions Answered:

Why does an interviewer ask this question?
How to answer “walk me through your resume.”
- Education
- Experience
- Employment history

Why is the Interviewer Asking Me To Walk Them Through My Resume?

To perform well during an interview, the first and often most important step is to understand what they are asking of you.

When an interviewer asks you to walk them through your resume, chances are it’s because they want to understand your job profile and fit for the role.

Your profile includes relevant experience, employment history, and education that tells a story for the interviewer.

You must highlight your strengths throughout your response and present yourself as a promising candidate.

resume meme

How to Answer “Walk me through your resume” Interview Question

1. Talk About Your Education

Talking to an employer about your educational background can be difficult as it often feels like there isn’t much to say.

The best thing you can do here is focus on your highest level and most relevant educational experiences.

You need to come across as a good “people person” for most jobs, so try to appear confident and discuss how much you enjoyed schooling and other non-academic aspects of your journey.

Don’t leave out any relevant clubs or societies you joined - this could help you stand out from the crowd.

It is also important that you discuss the academic side of your qualification, such as what specific (relevant to the job) topics you studied.

When discussing relevant topics, try to sound genuinely interested and focus on what you enjoyed about them. This will help paint a picture of your skillset.

2. Discuss Your Relevant Experience

If you have relevant experience within the role or industry, put some extra time and effort into relaying that to the hiring manager. Employers like to hire experienced people as it typically means that they have to invest less time and resources into training.

When discussing past relevant work experience, keep it well structured. Chronological order can be a good idea, for instance, starting with your least recent relevant experience and gradually moving on to more recent jobs.

It would be best if you began by briefly outlining your role and responsibilities for each job. Then talk about the skills gained from the role before finally discussing how it is relevant to the position you are applying for.

3. Bring up Non-Relevant Employment History (sometimes)

Odds are that at least some of your employment history isn’t directly relevant to the role you are applying for. However, it may still be worth discussing if it was a niche role or helped to improve your skill set.

When discussing non-relevant employment history, focus on the skills you gained which would be transferable to this role. Here are a few transferable skills that are generally useful to possess in a variety of jobs:

Writing Skills
IT Skills
Being Good Under Pressure
Perseverance
Confidence

“It takes 24 business days on average between the initial interview and the job offer.”

— Indeed

Sample Answers

"Sure, I'd be happy to walk you through my resume. My most recent position was as a marketing manager at (Company), where I was responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns. Before that, I worked as a sales representative at (Company), where I gained experience in customer relationship management and sales strategy. Before that, I completed a degree in business administration at (University). In my free time, I enjoy volunteering at local non-profits and staying up to date on industry trends through professional development courses."

"I have a diverse background, with experience in both the public and private sectors. My most recent role was as a project manager at (Company), where I led cross-functional teams to deliver IT projects on time and within budget. Before that, I worked as a policy analyst for the (Company), where I contributed to developing and implementing public policies. Earlier in my career, I gained experience in marketing and communication at (Company). In addition to my professional experience, I have a master's degree in public policy and a bachelor's degree in communication studies."

"My career has been focused on customer service and support. Most recently, I worked as a customer service manager at (Company), where I led a team of 12 representatives in providing top-quality support to our clients. Before that, I worked as a customer service representative at (Company), where I gained experience handling customer inquiries and complaints. I enjoy taking on freelance projects as a virtual customer service agent in my free time. I have a degree in business management and am always looking for ways to improve my skills and stay up to date on industry trends."

Related:

Wrapping Up | Walk me through your resume

The thought of walking a potential employer through your resume may initially seem daunting - especially if you don’t like talking about yourself. But hopefully, after reading this, you feel a bit more confident about what to expect and what you will say when the interview day comes.

A final note to keep in mind is that when talking to a potential employer through your resume, it’s not only what you say that is important but also how you say it.

For instance, you should try to talk confidently. This will relay to the hiring manager that you know what you are talking about. Refrain from using slang terms. Instead, stick with a more formal manner during your conversation.

Also, dress for success by wearing a suit, dress, or some other formal attire. Being overdressed is hardly ever an issue where being underdressed could lose you a job opportunity.

Just remember to keep it simple, link your past experiences to the role you are applying for and remain confident in yourself. If you nail those, answering this question will be a bright spot moving forward.

Best of luck in your next job interview!

Title: How to answer “walk me through your resume” interview question

Category: Job Interview

Tags: walk me through your resume, resume walk through, what does walk me through my resume mean, resume walk through interview question, what does walk me through your resume mean

Co-Author: Reid is a contributor for theJub. He's an employment and marketing enthusiast who studied business before taking on various recruiting, management, and marketing roles. More from the author. | Author Profile