1. Business Communication Center
Resume Walk Workshop
November 21, 2011
Business Communication Center

2. Agenda – Presentation “Resume walk” defined
Elements of a good resume walk
Building your resume walk
Business Communication Center – Resume Walk Workshop
11/21/11

3. Interviewers will prompt for a resume walk in two ways
“Walk me through your resume” or
“Tell me about yourself”
Definition
Elements
Building yours
Business Communication Center – Resume Walk Workshop
11/21/11

4. Don’t misinterpret recruiters’ prompts for a resume walk
“Walk me through your resume.”
Does not mean:
“Recite your resume, word for word.”
“Tell me about yourself.”
Does not mean:
“Tell me about your mom, dad, and siblings.”
“What’s your favorite color?”
However, either prompt does mean:
“You have ~2 minutes to tell me whatever you’d like.”
Definition
Elements
Building yours
Business Communication Center – Resume Walk Workshop
11/21/11

5. Good resume walks tell a succint, compelling, personal story
Elements common to good resume walks
~ 2-minute length
Tells a compelling story
Includes personal themes, motivations, passions
Has “right” level of detail for background/experience
Shows sound thought process, decision making
Speaks to fit with field/company/position
(Addresses obvious gaps and questions – if necessary)
Is easy to follow
Makes sense!
Tells the interviewer why you are interviewing!
Definition
Elements
Building yours
Business Communication Center – Resume Walk Workshop
11/21/11

6. A resume walk is an opportunity to tell your story – briefly
In 2 minutes you should address:
Past
Where you’ve been and why
Present
Why you came to business school
Future
Where you’d like to go and why
But not necessarily in this order!
Future plans
Past experience
Kenan-Flagler
Definition
Elements
Building yours
Business Communication Center – Resume Walk Workshop
11/21/11

7. You can proactively address tricky subjects in a resume walk
Subjects you may want to tackle:
Employment gaps
Frequent job changes
Leaps of logic in future plans that an interviewer will likely question
“You have no marketing experience…
why are you interested in a marketing position?”
Definition
Elements
Building yours
Business Communication Center – Resume Walk Workshop
11/21/11

8. Resist the temptation to provide too much detail
Recruiters want to understand the motivation and
thought process behind your decisions
“Most interviewees spend their time regurgitating every minor detail verbatim from their resumes, instead of focusing on the high points and explaining the reasons they made different decisions...
… recruiters are much more interested in your thought process than they are specific details about each job.”
“The interviewer wants to know that you had a plan, even if that plan has since changed.”
Source: The Black Collegian Online, How to Walk a Recruiter Through Your Resume accessed 11/9/09.
Definition
Elements
Building yours
Business Communication Center – Resume Walk Workshop
11/21/11

9. Find a way of telling your story that suits your style
interests
education
fit
experience
Definition
Elements
Building yours
Business Communication Center – Resume Walk Workshop
11/21/11

10. Think about the elements you’d like to include in your story
Questions to ask yourself
What is your passion?
What common themes flow through all your experiences?
Do you want to stress some experiences over others?
Why are you interested in this field?
In this company?
In this position?
Definition
Elements
Building yours
Business Communication Center – Resume Walk Workshop
11/21/11

11. Consider how others’ resume walks sound to you
“I decided to attend Vanderbilt University after being awarded a Presidential Scholarship, a full scholarship based on academic performance and test scores. My professional aspirations were shaped both by my degree in economics and four semesters of internships at financial institutions in Nashville. I knew from these experiences that I wanted to pursue a job in banking upon graduation.
“I was selected to participate in a leadership program at Bank of America and started with 30 other undergraduate students. As part of this program, I had one of my most significant team experiences to date. I was assigned to a branch location in Atlanta, and worked with a team of five people to improve the branch’s operations. As a part of this experience, my branch was recognized as the top performing branch in the Southeast though our doubling of the current lending customers and improving our customer service scores by 70%.
“After this position, I was given the opportunity to manage a small branch in Greensboro, North Carolina. As a branch manager, I supervised 15 staff members and improved services to our more than 2,000 customers. During my time managing the Greensboro branch I began contemplating my return to school to get my MBA.
“I decided to attend Kenan-Flagler after visiting the school during my interview. I met with students and faculty in the Finance Department – all of whom I found impressive and extremely helpful. Kenan-Flagler’s highly regarded finance department and a team-focused curriculum heavily influenced my decision to come here.
“I became interested in finance while studying economics at Vanderbilt. Although I began my career in the commercial banking industry, I am interested in pursuing corporate finance at your company because I want to work on finance projects that will allow me to drive the strategic direction of the firm.”
Source: Kenan-Flagler Business Communication Center, Acing the Resume Walk, accessed 11/9/09.
Definition
Elements
Building yours
Business Communication Center – Resume Walk Workshop
11/21/11

12. Consider how others’ resume walks sound to you
“I decided to attend Vanderbilt University after being awarded a Presidential Scholarship, a full scholarship based on academic performance and test scores. My professional aspirations were shaped both by my degree in economics and four semesters of internships at financial institutions in Nashville. I knew from these experiences that I wanted to pursue a job in banking upon graduation.
“I was selected to participate in a leadership program at Bank of America and started with 30 other undergraduate students. As part of this program, I had one of my most significant team experiences to date. I was assigned to a branch location in Atlanta, and worked with a team of five people to improve the branch’s operations. As a part of this experience, my branch was recognized as the top performing branch in the Southeast though our doubling of the current lending customers and improving our customer service scores by 70%.
“After this position, I was given the opportunity to manage a small branch in Greensboro, North Carolina. As a branch manager, I supervised 15 staff members and improved services to our more than 2,000 customers. During my time managing the Greensboro branch I began contemplating my return to school to get my MBA.
“I decided to attend Kenan-Flagler after visiting the school during my interview. I met with students and faculty in the Finance Department – all of whom I found impressive and extremely helpful. Kenan-Flagler’s highly regarded finance department and a team-focused curriculum heavily influenced my decision to come here.
“I became interested in finance while studying economics at Vanderbilt. Although I began my career in the commercial banking industry, I am interested in pursuing corporate finance at your company because I want to work on finance projects that will allow me to drive the strategic direction of the firm.”
Starts with education and internships
Shows logical decisions based on previous experience
Source: Kenan-Flagler Business Communication Center, Acing the Resume Walk, accessed 11/9/09.
Definition
Elements
Building yours
Business Communication Center – Resume Walk Workshop
11/21/11

13. Consider how others’ resume walks sound to you
“I decided to attend Vanderbilt University after being awarded a Presidential Scholarship, a full scholarship based on academic performance and test scores. My professional aspirations were shaped both by my degree in economics and four semesters of internships at financial institutions in Nashville. I knew from these experiences that I wanted to pursue a job in banking upon graduation.
“I was selected to participate in a leadership program at Bank of America and started with 30 other undergraduate students. As part of this program, I had one of my most significant team experiences to date. I was assigned to a branch location in Atlanta, and worked with a team of five people to improve the branch’s operations. As a part of this experience, my branch was recognized as the top performing branch in the Southeast through our doubling of the current lending customers and improving our customer service scores by 70%.
“After this position, I was given the opportunity to manage a small branch in Greensboro, North Carolina. As a branch manager, I supervised 15 staff members and improved services to our more than 2,000 customers. During my time managing the Greensboro branch I began contemplating my return to school to get my MBA.
“I decided to attend Kenan-Flagler after visiting the school during my interview. I met with students and faculty in the Finance Department – all of whom I found impressive and extremely helpful. Kenan-Flagler’s highly regarded finance department and a team-focused curriculum heavily influenced my decision to come here.
“I became interested in finance while studying economics at Vanderbilt. Although I began my career in the commercial banking industry, I am interested in pursuing corporate finance at your company because I want to work on finance projects that will allow me to drive the strategic direction of the firm.”
Shows increasing levels of responsibility
Shows success at each step
Source: Kenan-Flagler Business Communication Center, Acing the Resume Walk, accessed 11/9/09.
Definition
Elements
Building yours
Business Communication Center – Resume Walk Workshop
11/21/11

14. Consider how others’ resume walks sound to you
“I decided to attend Vanderbilt University after being awarded a Presidential Scholarship, a full scholarship based on academic performance and test scores. My professional aspirations were shaped both by my degree in economics and four semesters of internships at financial institutions in Nashville. I knew from these experiences that I wanted to pursue a job in banking upon graduation.
“I was selected to participate in a leadership program at Bank of America and started with 30 other undergraduate students. As part of this program, I had one of my most significant team experiences to date. I was assigned to a branch location in Atlanta, and worked with a team of five people to improve the branch’s operations. As a part of this experience, my branch was recognized as the top performing branch in the Southeast though our doubling of the current lending customers and improving our customer service scores by 70%.
“After this position, I was given the opportunity to manage a small branch in Greensboro, North Carolina. As a branch manager, I supervised 15 staff members and improved services to our more than 2,000 customers. During my time managing the Greensboro branch I began contemplating my return to school to get my MBA.
“I decided to attend Kenan-Flagler after visiting the school during my interview. I met with students and faculty in the Finance Department – all of whom I found impressive and extremely helpful. Kenan-Flagler’s highly regarded finance department and a team-focused curriculum heavily influenced my decision to come here.
“I became interested in finance while studying economics at Vanderbilt. Although I began my career in the commercial banking industry, I am interested in pursuing corporate finance at your company because I want to work on finance projects that will allow me to drive the strategic direction of the firm.”
Explains decision to attend Kenan-Flagler
Clearly states post-MBA interests
Source: Kenan-Flagler Business Communication Center, Acing the Resume Walk, accessed 11/9/09.
Definition
Elements
Building yours
Business Communication Center – Resume Walk Workshop
11/21/11

15. Consider how others’ resume walks sound to you
“I decided to attend Vanderbilt University after being awarded a Presidential Scholarship, a full scholarship based on academic performance and test scores. My professional aspirations were shaped both by my degree in economics and four semesters of internships at financial institutions in Nashville. I knew from these experiences that I wanted to pursue a job in banking upon graduation.
“I was selected to participate in a leadership program at Bank of America and started with 30 other undergraduate students. As part of this program, I had one of my most significant team experiences to date. I was assigned to a branch location in Atlanta, and worked with a team of five people to improve the branch’s operations. As a part of this experience, my branch was recognized as the top performing branch in the Southeast though our doubling of the current lending customers and improving our customer service scores by 70%.
“After this position, I was given the opportunity to manage a small branch in Greensboro, North Carolina. As a branch manager, I supervised 15 staff members and improved services to our more than 2,000 customers. During my time managing the Greensboro branch I began contemplating my return to school to get my MBA.
“I decided to attend Kenan-Flagler after visiting the school during my interview. I met with students and faculty in the Finance Department – all of whom I found impressive and extremely helpful. Kenan-Flagler’s highly regarded finance department and a team-focused curriculum heavily influenced my decision to come here.
“I became interested in finance while studying economics at Vanderbilt. Although I began my career in the commercial banking industry, I am interested in pursuing corporate finance at your company because I want to work on finance projects that will allow me to drive the strategic direction of the firm.”
MIGHT HAVE MISSED OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLAIN…
…Why get an MBA?
…Why finance?
…Why this particular company?
Source: Kenan-Flagler Business Communication Center, Acing the Resume Walk, accessed 11/9/09.
Definition
Elements
Building yours
Business Communication Center – Resume Walk Workshop
11/21/11

16. Exercise: Brainstorm your resume walk
5 minute brainstorm! Write down the following:
Your main goal (what job are you applying for?)
What would someone interviewing you for this job want to hear?
What transferrable skills and knowledge will help you get the job?
Why are you interested in this field?
In this company?
In this position?
What evidence can you provide?
Education
Career Experience
High level details only
to keep it short!
Definition
Elements
Building yours
Business Communication Center – Resume Walk Workshop
11/21/11

17. Pairs Exercise: Practice and Get Feedback!
Instructions
20 minutes
Get into pairs
Give your resume walk
Stop at 2 minutes!
Get Feedback
Switch
Practice some more!
Definition
Elements
Building yours
Business Communication Center – Resume Walk Workshop
11/21/11

18. The Resume Walk: Where to go from here
Next Steps:
Practice your resume walk with:
BCC
Friends and Family
Career Counselors
Avoid sounding scripted! Be:
Relaxed
Confident
Conversational
Definition
Elements
Building yours
Business Communication Center – Resume Walk Workshop
11/21/11

19. Thank You To set up an appointment with a BCC Consultant, go to
and click on “Schedule an Appointment”
Business Communication Center – Resume Walk Workshop
11/21/11

20. Appendix
Business Communication Center – Resume Walk Workshop
11/21/11

21. A resume walk can be like a guided “flyover” tour of your resume
Point out interesting features to the recruiter
Motivations & themes
“I’ve always been interested in ________ …”
Definition
Elements
Building yours
Business Communication Center – Resume Walk Workshop
11/21/11

22. A resume walk can be like a guided “flyover” tour of your resume
Point out interesting features to the recruiter
Education
“I graduated from _______ with a degree
in ____________…”
Definition
Elements
Building yours
Business Communication Center – Resume Walk Workshop
11/21/11

23. A resume walk can be like a guided “flyover” tour of your resume
Point out interesting features to the recruiter
What you learned at each job
“my experience with _______ helped me develop my ___________…”
Definition
Elements
Building yours
Business Communication Center – Resume Walk Workshop
11/21/11