Interview preparation
Rehearse a short walk-through of your resume
Aim for about ninety seconds. Move through your most relevant roles in order, link each to the next with one sentence, and end on why this role makes sense now. Keep extra detail on a separate page and add it only if asked.
A text to start with
I am interviewing for [role] at [company]. My resume lists these roles: [titles, employers, dates and two or three tasks each]. The posting stresses [skills or duties from the posting]. Draft a ninety-second spoken outline with a short opening, one transition between each role and a closing line about this job. Mark which details are optional and which I should always include.
Example request. Change the details to fit your situation.Ninety-second outline
Role and company I am interviewing for: [ ] Two or three requirements from the posting: [ ] Opening sentence (who I am professionally): [ ] Role 1, one relevant point: [ ] Transition to role 2, with reason: [ ] Role 2, one relevant point: [ ] Transition to role 3, with reason: [ ] Role 3, one relevant point: [ ] Closing line linking to this job: [ ] Optional detail if asked, by role: [ ] Gap or change to explain briefly: [ ] Spoken run time: [ ] seconds
Detours and gaps to catch
Read the outline against the posting and mark any role or detail that does not help explain fit. A job from years ago may need one clause, not a paragraph. Check that each transition gives a reason for the move, such as a new responsibility, with enough context to explain the change of title. If your resume has a gap, decide how to mention it briefly and truthfully. Time yourself aloud, since text that fits on a page often runs long when spoken. Match dates and titles to your resume exactly.
Ask another agent to check the result
Read my outline next to the job posting and remove detours that do not help explain fit for this role. Show what you cut and why. Flag any transition that gives no reason for a move. Do not add accomplishments I have not provided.
Practice the timing
Record yourself and play it back. Cut anything that sounds like reading a list. Run it twice more from a different starting point, such as your current role, so you can adapt if the interviewer opens with another question.