How to answer "Tell me about yourself" & "Walk me through your resume" questions?

behavioral interviews
Recent activity on Nov 27, 2018
5 Answers
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Elif asked on Nov 26, 2018

As an experienced candidate, I have worked at various companies in 3 different industries. I was wondering how to answer "Tell me about yourself" or "Walk me through your resume" questions. Is it better to talk about all the experiences briefly or to select 2-3 major ones and go deeper?

Thank you very much!

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Vlad
Expert
replied on Nov 26, 2018
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

“Tell me about yourself” or “walk me through your resume”- this is how Consultants usually begin the interview. It's an opportunity for them to learn about you and to pick some interesting facts. I recommend providing all the relevant experience (since most of the consultants don't really look at your resume before the interview) and skip only the irrelevant ones

Best,

Vlad

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Guennael
Expert
replied on Nov 26, 2018
Ex-MBB, Experienced Hire; I will teach you not only the how, but also the why of case interviews

You should hear "why should I know about you that would make me valuable to my company and interesting to me?", and reply accordingly

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Ethan replied on Nov 27, 2018
Hello, I am Ethan and i have recently graduated. I love travelling and I am here to learn more about my interests.

I guess you just talk about what you have done so far, your work experinence in college as well as while working for some company or an internship. You can also talk about your qualities and your strengths in the work sense of way so that it can help the employer undertsand if you are fit for the job or no. Hope this was helpful and can make the interview a bit easier. Just dont ever lie about things to your employer.

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Clark Kent updated an answer on Nov 27, 2018
I come from Krypton

To me, these are two different questions.

For the former, please see the 2 links below.

https://zety.com/blog/tell-me-about-yourself

https://biginterview.com/blog/2011/09/tell-me-about-yourself.html

For the latter, similar to structuring a case, I'd suggest grouping your career into 'buckets'. As an example, here's how I do mine. Worked both in industry and MC. For industry, I sub-categorise into initial roles and senior mgmt. For MC, I talk about doing multiple workstreams on engagements, through leading project teams, to owning proposals.

In both cases, seamlessly add why you're a good fit.

Hope this helps.

(edited)

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Mathias
Expert
updated an answer on Nov 27, 2018
Ex-McKinsey Engagement Manager / Ex-Diplomat - Perfect choice for non-traditional candidates. Let's get you an offer!

You should definitely focus on WHY you did something instead of repeating WHAT you did. Don't recount your CV but rather explain what motivated you to take a certain decision.

(edited)

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Vlad gave the best answer

Vlad

McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
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