How to Answer this Question: Walk me Through Your Resume….

The fastest way recruiters or hiring managers determine if you have the right skills and experience for a job is by asking, “Can you walk me through your resume?”

It sounds like an easy question, but don’t be fooled — your answer will determine whether or not you will be considered a serious candidate. Employers are not looking for a list of accomplishments or responsibilities here, instead, they want a focused narrative that highlights why you believe you are the perfect fit for the new role.

Here is the catch — you need to deliver your answer in less than two minutes no matter how many jobs you’ve had or how many years you’ve worked, or you could risk losing the recruiter’s attention.

 Here is how you do that:

 1. Highlight your experience through the lens of the new job

Determine which accomplishments, skills, and capabilities from each of your past jobs are directly relevant to the job description’s key requirements. Do not repeat the same responsibilities from one job to the next; you want to show career progression which aligns with the role you are pursuing.

 2. Build clear transitions between jobs

Provide context that demonstrates how your past roles aligned with your career growth. And if you shifted careers or changed industries, explain how that step prepared you for the responsibilities of the position you are pursuing.

 3. Highlight your unique value

Do your best to identify what sets you apart from other candidates. Highlight specific skills, experiences, or perspectives that will bring value to the role you are pursuing.

Be bold in drawing clear connections between your unique skills and the role you are interviewing for. Explain how your experience will enable you to deliver exceptional performance.

The goal: Wrap everything up in a concise story that will leave the interviewer satisfied that you would succeed in the new role.

For more relevant information about any aspect of job search, check out the Virtual Resource Room at Calgary Career Hub. Resource Room — Calgary Career Hub

This Tip created with some content from CareerWise Weekly.