By Mike Simpson

When it comes to weird interview moments, being asked to “walk me through your resume” is usually a big one. Why? Because you’re going over information the hiring manager usually has right in front of them.

Additionally, offering a great answer can be surprisingly challenging. After all, there is a lot of material in your application. When the hiring manager asks you to “walk me through your resume,” do they really want to hear it all, or just the highlights?

If you want to make sure that your answer is top-notch, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a look at how to answer the “walk me through your resume” interview question like a pro.

What Is “Walking Through a Resume”

Before we dig into how to answer the “walk me through your resume” question, let’s talk about what walking someone through your resume involves.

In many ways, this prompt is a lot like the “tell me about yourself” interview question. When you walk someone through your application, you’re giving them an overview of what you bring to the table, pausing briefly to discuss some key accomplishments, capabilities, and traits. That way, the hiring manager gets a solid idea of what you know and can do, giving them a reliable starting point for any follow-up interview questions.

Why Does the Hiring Manager Ask This Question?

So, why would a hiring manager ask you to walk them through your resume? While it’s true that the hiring manager could (and likely has) read your resume, this question is about more than that.

First, hiring managers want to see if the information you share lines up with your resume. Overall, 85 percent of employers have discovered inaccurate information on candidate resumes. By asking you to walk them through your application, they increase their odds of finding possible fibs.

Additionally, hiring managers know that your resume is just part of the story. By asking you to walk them through the document, they give you an opportunity to add some context that might not have fit into your application.

Finally, your answer gives the hiring managers clues about your personality. They’ll learn more about what you think is most important in your professional history, and that can give them a lot of valuable insights.

Common Mistakes When Answering This Question

As with all parts of the interview, it’s possible to make some mistakes when you’re walking someone through your resume. While certain missteps won’t really hurt you too much, others can significantly harm your chances of moving forward in the hiring process.

Now, around 93 percent of candidates do experience some job interview anxiety. So, if you’re nervous when you answer, you’re part of the majority.

However, there is a big difference between being nervous and being ill-prepared. With the “walk me through your resume” question, you’re covering material that you should know well. After all, you’re talking about the basics of your career, not answering a brain teaser.

As a result, you need to make sure your response is cohesive, thorough, and accurate, and that you can deliver it with a degree of confidence. That way, you can make a stellar first impression.

Another big mistake to avoid is getting long-winded. You shouldn’t be talking about every line on your resume. Instead, it needs to be a solid summary of your credentials.

Similarly, rehashing your resume summary statement word-for-word isn’t a great move. While you can certainly include some of the same information, you also need to go further, incorporating details that are found in other parts of your application.

Just remember, this is just one question the hiring manager could ask you in your interview! That’s why we created an amazing free cheat sheet that will give you word-for-word answers for some of the toughest interview questions you are going to face in your upcoming interview.

Click below to get your free PDF now:

Tips for Answering This Question

If you want to create a great answer to the “walk me through your resume” interview prompt, then there are a few best practices you should follow. Here are a few tips that can help keep your response on target.

1. Use a Chronological Approach

When you’re answering this question, you’re really telling your professional story. As a result, you want to present information in a chronological manner. That approach helps you craft a narrative that has a logical flow.

2. Sprinkle in Keywords from the Job Description

Keywords aren’t just important for your resume; they’re wise additions to your interview answers, too. By making sure you discuss the same keywords that you found in the job description, you keep your answer relevant.

3. Keep Your Answer Under 3 Minutes

This is one of the interview questions where a longer answer is completely appropriate. However, that doesn’t mean you should go overboard.

Typically, if you’re well into your career, if you keep your answer in the two-to-three-minute range, you’re in good shape. That gives you enough room to add some details but is short enough to ensure your response is concise and focused.

For those looking for entry-level jobs or who have just graduated from college, your answer may be substantially shorter. That’s okay! You’re taking your first steps into your field now, so it’s normal not to have a lengthy response. Cover as many relevant details as possible, and then wrap up your reply.

How to Answer This Request “Walk Me Through Your Resume”

Alright, now it’s time for the moment you’ve been waiting for: how to answer the “walk me through your resume” interview question. Along with a step-by-step guide, we’ve included a few example answers. That way, you’ll have everything you need to craft fantastic responses of your own.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Start with Your Education

For many people, their education is the starting point of their career. As a result, it’s wise to lead off by mentioning your degree.

If you’re a recent graduate, you may spend more time talking about your education. For example, you might want to share details about relevant projects.

If you’re well into your career, then you should just briefly mention your degree. That way, you can spend more time focusing on your experience.

2. Mention Your First Step into the Field

After you’ve covered your education, take a quick second to talk about how you began working in the field. How long you focus on this position depends on your experience level. If you’ve only held one or two related jobs, you may spend a significant amount of time here. If you have more experience, then a quick statement is likely enough.

3. Continue Through Your Career Chronologically

At this point, you’ll simply offer up the highlights of your career, moving from your first position to your current one in chronological order. As you do, focus on key accomplishments and skills. Discuss high-value projects, points where you advanced, and similar events to keep the narrative relevant and engaging.

4. Sprinkle in Other Credentials

If you’ve had a longer career, you may have added a few extra credentials to your resume over time. For example, you might have earned a post-graduate degree, acquired a certification, or completed relevant training.

If you did pick up new credentials, feel free to discuss them in your answer. Simply mention them based on when they occurred during the broader chronological narrative. That way, you can use them to showcase your growth over time.

5. Wrap Up on a High Note

Once you’ve covered your career history, you might assume you’re done. However, the end of your answer is actually a great moment to mention your professional goals and showcase your excitement for the opportunity.

By mentioning how the position you’re trying to land fits into your big picture, you’re showing the hiring manager that the job matches what you’re after. That helps them see that you’d be invested in the role, as it directly relates to your long-term objectives.

Example Answers

Sometimes, the easiest way to see how you should put an interview question answer together is with a sample. Here are some example answers to the “walk me through your resume” interview question, each targeted to a different situation.

1. Recent College Graduate

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“As a child, I was always fascinated by wildlife. In the end, it was that passion that put me on my path, keeping me focused as I pursued my Bachelor’s of Science in wildlife biology.

“During my studies, I focused heavily on mammalogy, particular species native to the western United States. Additionally, I spent time learning about regional ecology, including the impact of climate change, water shortages, and the wildfires that have plagued the area.

“I also had the opportunity to assist my professor with a research project. My responsibilities focused on data collection and analysis, as well as proposal and report writing. I had the chance to work with a variety of biological samples, gathering critical information that forwarded the research, as well as creating presentations.

“While I was studying, I also had the pleasure of taking part in an amazing internship at the local city zoo. During my time there, I not only had an opportunity to spend time with local fauna but also had a chance to participate in post-wildfire recovery and animal assistance efforts.

“At this point, I am looking forward to putting my skills to work and facilitating meaningful change. I feel my capabilities align strongly with the role you’re looking to fill and am incredibly excited to have this opportunity to share how I can provide your organization with value.”

2. Seasoned Professional

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“As long as I can remember, I’ve been intrigued by technology. That’s what led me to pursue my Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, completing coursework focused on information assurance, security operations, and information security.

“After graduating, I landed a position networking position, though was able to quickly transition into a penetration tester position. That role gave me an in-depth understanding of attack vectors and how attacks are orchestrated. Next, I shifted into a cybersecurity analyst role where I proactively identified and close network vulnerabilities, recommended changes to enhance security, and applied patches to protect the network.

“At this stage in my career, I’m looking forward to continuing down the cybersecurity path. I believe my expertise makes me an ideal candidate for the cybersecurity engineer position, allowing me to apply my skills to safeguard systems and provide exceptional value to an organization.

3. Career Change

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“Early in my career journey, I was looking for opportunities to be creative while also helping larger companies thrive. This led me to earn my Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and begin in an entry-level position at a large firm.

“During my time in that role, I handled a variety of responsibilities, including conducting market research in several major industries and learning about the psychology of color and design.

“Along the way, I became increasingly passionate about the visual aspects of the role, particularly how the right choices could have a significant impact on the broader customer experience. This led me down a new path.

“I began acquiring skills relating to technical and website design, particularly when it came to the user experience. During my independent studies, I focused on areas like information architecture, wireframing, and prototyping, all while honing my programming capabilities.

“Today, I’m looking forward to putting my newfound knowledge to work. By combining that with my marketing expertise, I feel I’m in a unique position to provide value in a UX role such as this one, adding extra insights to the equation that may otherwise be missing.”

Putting It All Together

Ultimately, all of the information above should help you answer the “walk me through your resume” question with greater ease. Use every tip to your advantage. That way, you can create a response that stands out from the crowd.

Good luck!