Ever notice how that seemingly simple question "Tell me about yourself" can become such a pivotal moment in an executive interview?
I've spent the last few years coaching senior leaders through high-stakes interviews, and I've discovered something fascinating about this deceptively casual opener.
The Resume Recitation Trap
Picture this: A talented executive sits across from a Group CEO interviewing for an India CEO position.
The question comes: "Tell me about yourself."
The candidate launches confidently: "I am an industry leader with 25 plus years of experience in the x industry and have worked with the top five leading companies in the industry in my career. During my career, I have done a).........., b) ............ c) .................d). I led the transformation project at Y company; Z initiated the project and chose me to lead it......"
And just like that, the Group CEO's attention drifts. Why? Because the candidate is simply narrating their resume - information the CEO has already read.
I've watched this scene play out countless times during my coaching sessions with senior executives.
It's remarkably common yet so easily avoidable.
Why We Fall Into This Pattern
Here's what I've noticed:
Most of us think, "I know the answer to this one - after all, who can know me better than I do?" So we wing it.
We assume our impressive experience speaks for itself.
But does it?
When that Group CEO's attention wandered, they were silently thinking, "So what? I've read all of this in the CV."
The real question they're asking isn't about your history - it's about your value proposition.
Have you ever considered what happens in those critical moments when you answer this question?
What's actually running through the interviewer's mind as you speak?
From Resume to Value Proposition
Think about Amul Butter for a moment. Their brand promise is crystal clear through the tagline: "Utterly, Butterly Delicious." When we buy Amul butter, we know what we're getting - delicious pure butter. No vegetable oil, no fillers. Just butter and natural salt.
What's your professional brand promise?
I've found that the most successful executives can articulate their value in a similarly clear, compelling way in the first 30-45 seconds.
Using techniques like B-L-U-F (Bottom Line-Up Front), they communicate upfront the consistent value they bring to the organization rather than listing chronological achievements.
I've found that when executives adopt this approach in interviews, they immediately capture attention rather than lose it. Instead of burying your value proposition beneath a mountain of career history, you lead with it - just like a compelling headline that makes people want to read the whole story.
Think of it as your professional elevator pitch - a clear, concise statement that communicates your unique value in about 30 seconds.
It's not easy to craft, but when done well, it makes you sound more credible and confident while immediately conveying what sets you apart.
Partnering with over 100+ senior executives in their interview preparation has helped me develop a framework that transforms how you approach this question.
Instead of reciting your resume, think about organizing your response around:
Your capabilities - the unique strengths you've developed throughout your career.
Support these with specific achievements and recognitions, but frame them as evidence of your capabilities, not as a list.
Connecting these to the competencies you've mastered in specific areas, verticals, or projects.
Explain how your years of experience have created expertise in particular industries, functions, or technologies.
And finally, add a touch of personal insight that humanizes your story.
When you structure your introduction this way, you're not just telling them what you've done - you're showing them who you are as a leader and the specific value you bring.
Beyond the Resume: Creating Connection
I recently worked with a technology executive who transformed her approach to this question. Rather than starting with "I have 20 years in technology leadership," she began with: "I specialize in building innovative teams that turn around struggling technology divisions. My approach combines data-driven decision-making with a focus on developing leaders at all levels."
Notice the difference? She immediately established her value proposition before sharing any chronological information.
Have you thought about how you express your brand promise in a structured way that captures attention rather than losing it?
Finding Your Leadership Voice
The next time you're preparing for that executive interview, don't just rehearse your resume points. Instead, take some time to reflect on the consistent value you've brought throughout your career.
What's the thread that connects your achievements?
What's the unique perspective or approach you bring to leadership challenges?
When organizations hire you, what are they really getting?
Your answer to "Tell me about yourself" isn't just about sharing information - it's about telling a compelling leadership story that differentiates you from every other qualified candidate.
It also helps the interviewer to ask more robust follow-up questions, for which you can be better prepared.
So, what's your professional brand promise?
How will you communicate it to stand out in your next executive interview?
Excellent
This article helped me better think to craft better value proposition which was missing earlier