Explain Your Resume with 3 Simple Interview Techniques

by Debra Wheatman on Feb 11, 2011 in Job Interviews

A good resume is intended to get your foot in the door, but – once you get that foot in – the last thing you want to do is wind up sticking it in your mouth.

It is absolutely necessary to prepare for all of your interviews in advance. How you position yourself and respond to the interviewer’s questions is a critical element to improve your chances of moving through the process, up to and including getting the offer.

Part of being prepared includes knowing your resume cold. This does not mean spewing off the same exact content verbatim. You need to know your dates, job titles and former company names accurately; but preparing for an interview requires a deeper ability to explain and elaborate on the content on your resume.

Here are a few tips for improving your skills when it comes to explaining the details of your career history.

1. Create what is known as your elevator pitch. According to Wikipedia, an elevator pitch is a short summary used to quickly and simply define a product, service, or organization and its value proposition.If you were in an elevator with someone and only had 30 seconds to make a lasting impression, what would you say? That information is the pitch you need to develop as part of your interview strategy.
2. During your job interviews you will need to clearly and succinctly describe relevant situations and your specific contributions that facilitated the success of your employer.
3. Think about the message you want to communicate, write it down, refine it, and time it. For the interview you will likely take 30-60 seconds to share your value proposition. Practice your delivery with a friend or colleague. If need be, deliver it in front of a mirror.

Repeat this process for each interview. As you refine your pitch, you will become more comfortable delivering your achievements in support of your brand. You can also rehearse similar elevator pitches in reference to your education or additional activities. The main thing is to provide rich detail and depth that extends beyond the limitations of the printed page while speaking clearly, concisely, and professionally.

Debra Wheatman

CPRW, CPCC and President of Careers Done Write, a premier career services provider focused on developing highly personalized career road maps for senior leaders and executives across all verticals and industries. Visit careersdonewrite.com to learn more.

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