Tell me about your resume

📌 “Tell me about your resume”: how to answer (and convince) in less than two minutes

If you are looking for a job, be prepared: “Can you tell me about your journey?” It's one of the first (and obvious) questions they'll ask you in an interview.

It sounds easy, right? In reality, it's a perfect trap.

💡 For years, thanks to the role I play in Open Source Management, I have been helping companies find "the best talents" the "right candidates" who match the needs of the company that is looking for them and I assure you that this is the moment in which many are gambling the selection without even realizing it!

📌 Why do recruiters ask this question?
They don't want a boring resume summary or a list of your duties. They don't ask you this question because they don't want to read your resume... (they already have)! 👉🏻 They want understand who you are, what distinguishes you and why they should choose you. 👈🏻

And here the problems begin: many candidates get lost in irrelevant details, talk too much or (worse) start reading their CV to the interviewer and (worst of all) do not connect their story to the job they are applying for. Result? The recruiter loses interest and starts thinking about the coffee break (or the next candidate).

💡 But there is a solution: a short, clear and impactful answer is needed. I will explain the method that I recommend to the candidates I work with (yes, you read that right, we at OSM do not only help companies select the best candidates, we also help talents find the best companies). It is a method based on three simple but effective steps.

1️⃣ Tell your story through the lens of your new job

Each of your work experiences has contributed to shaping you, but not everything is relevant to this selection. The secret is choose the key points of your route and tell them based on what the recruiter is looking for.

📌 How to do it right:
✅ Analyze the job description (not just the ad)  and identifies the key skills required.
✅ Browse the company website and social media of the company you are applying for and identify their value proposition and try to relate it to your role.
✅ Choose elements of your career that demonstrate progression and impact.
✅ Avoid repetitions: If you have performed similar tasks in two roles, focus on how you have grown between one experience and the other.

💡 Practical example:
Imagine applying for a role as social media manager. Instead of saying “I managed the company's social media and created content”, try this:

“I started my career at [Company X] where I learned how to manage editorial planning and analyze engagement metrics. After two years, at [Company Y] I expanded my skills by also dealing with paid advertising, leading to a 35% increase in conversions. This growth allowed me to become responsible for digital strategy at [Company Z], where I led a team of 3 people and optimized the customer acquisition funnel, increasing the engagement rate by 50%.“

✅ Why does it work?
🔹 Show that you know who you are applying for.
🔹 Demonstrates professional evolution and growth.
🔹 Highlight concrete results.
🔹 Links directly to the skills required for the new role.

2️⃣ Build seamless transitions between your previous assignments

Every job change makes sense (or at least it should). Explaining why you made certain choices helps the recruiter see coherence in your path (no entrepreneur wants someone on board who “just happened to be there”).

📌 What to do:
✅ If you have been promoted or you changed companies for a better opportunity, say so!
✅ If you have made a sector change, explain what motivated you.
✅ If there are any holes in the CV, preface the speech with a positive (but sincere) narrative.

💡 Practical example:
If you left a company for a new opportunity, you can say:

“After three years at [Company X], I felt the need to broaden my skills in [specific area], and when I was offered the opportunity to work on international projects with [Company Y], I didn’t hesitate to take it. This allowed me to develop skills in [key skills], which are fundamental for the role I am applying for today.”

If you have had a break from work, don't panic! Avoid answers that seem like excuses and turn them into an advantage:

✅ Have you traveled? → “I spent six months traveling, which gave me a broader perspective on intercultural dynamics and global communication.”
✅ Have you lost your job? → “Following a corporate reorganization, I took the opportunity to update my skills by completing a certification in [relevant area].”

👉 Don’t let the recruiter have to “interpret” your path: guide him. Don’t adopt a “let’s hope he doesn’t notice” attitude, anticipate potential inconsistencies in your CV and explain them simply and transparently.

3️⃣ Bring out your unique value

What sets you apart from other candidates? Finding Your Competitive Advantage It is essential to leave a mark.

📌 How to do it right:
✅ Identify a skill or experience that makes you special (be careful: it can also be something extra-professional)!
✅ Link this skill to the benefits it can bring to the company.
✅ Use practical examples, authentic narratives, avoid being self-referential but don't fall into its opposite either (eh.. I don't know, no nothing.. others should say it etc.).

💡 Practical example:
If you have a different background than usual for the role you are applying for, use it to your advantage:

“I come from the world of psychology, and this has allowed me to develop a strong ability to analyze user behavior. Thanks to this approach, in [Company X] I optimized the copywriting of the landing pages based on principles of persuasion, increasing the conversion rate of 25%.”

✅ Why does it work?
🔹 Demonstrate an original point of view.
🔹 Connect an unconventional skill to a concrete result.
🔹 Highlight your unique value from other candidates.

🚀 The 3-step method to answer (and convince) in less than 2 minutes

📌 Let's recap:
✅ Connect your experience to the job requirements.
✅ Explain your transitions clearly and positively.
✅ Highlight what makes you unique with concrete examples.

🎯 Looking for a job? Here's how we can help you

📌 With Open Source Management (OSM), every day we help companies find the most suitable candidates for their businesses. 

📌 Need a hand!? 🚀

If you want to receive concrete help to improve your CV, your interview strategy or better understand how to enhance yourself, contact us (we are launching a special project dedicated precisely to this aspect, it is free and provides you with first-hand information directly from those who manage the selections for thousands of companies)

📌 Leave a comment or write to me to find out more! 🚀

🔗 Resources and research to learn more about the topic