Hey there Reader,

Let me paint you a picture: You've prepared for weeks for this interview at a prestigious organization. You've researched their DEI initiatives (👀), practiced your answers to tricky behavioral questions, and even rehearsed how to address potential microaggressions professionally.

The hiring manager (let's be real––likely a White man or woman) smiles and says, "Let's start with something easy. Can you walk me through your resume?"

Your heart beats a little faster. On the surface, this seems straightforward—but as a woman of color, you know this question is loaded with both opportunity and risk.

In these crucial two minutes, you're not just explaining your career path—you're navigating how to explain career pivots without feeding into stereotypes, how to showcase your unique perspective without being boxed into the "diversity hire," "oh, if only they had [fill-in-the-blank with the bullshit excuse of your choice]" category.

This deceptively simple question is actually where many WOC risk losing the opportunity to control their narrative and stand out as the exceptional candidates they genuinely are.

The Two-Minute Resume Walkthrough That Makes You Unforgettable (Not Stereotyped)

When a recruiter or hiring manager asks you to "walk me through your resume," they don't want a chronological recitation of your job titles. Sure, table stakes, you say.

But as WOC, we have an additional challenge: navigating the biases and assumptions that often get projected onto our career paths.

What they're asking is: "Show me why your professional journey makes you perfect for THIS role."

What they're actually evaluating (consciously or not) is: "Does she fit my image of what success looks like in this role? Or is she 'too much' this or 'not enough' that?"

Or, if I can really up the ante on you: "Would I look stupid––or even get in trouble––for not moving this person forward in the process?"

Here's your three-step formula for taking control of your narrative in this crucial interview moment:

Step 1: Highlight Your Experience Through the Lens of the New Job (While Defying Expectations)

For each position on your resume, identify the accomplishments and skills that directly relate to the key requirements in the job description, with special attention to areas where WOC are often underestimated.

Don't make this common mistake: Downplaying leadership, strategic contributions, or technical expertise—areas where WOC often face skepticism despite strong qualifications.

Do this instead: Confidently showcase your progression of skills and responsibilities that align with the role, using concrete metrics and outcomes to validate your impact in a way that's harder to dismiss.

For example, if you're interviewing for a Healthcare Administrator role that requires operational leadership, budget management, and improving patient outcomes:

"I began my healthcare journey as a Clinical Coordinator at [hospital name], where I developed strong operational skills managing a department of 15 staff members serving over 100 patients daily. I implemented a new patient intake system that reduced wait times by 30% and improved patient satisfaction scores from 3.2 to 4.6 out of 5. Recognizing my leadership potential, my director mentored me to take on budget responsibilities, where I identified inefficiencies that saved $120,000 annually while improving care quality. This experience prepared me to step into my current role as Assistant Administrator, where I now oversee three departments and have reduced staff turnover by 25% through creating culturally responsive leadership training for our diverse team."

BAM!

This example covers five years of work in just a few sentences, centering not only what you did, but the impact you made—which counters the unfortunate tendency for our contributions to be overlooked or minimized.

Step 2: Create Clear Transitions That Counter the "Job-Hopper" or "Not Ambitious Enough" Stereotype

As WOC, our career moves are scrutinized differently than our White counterparts. What might be seen as "strategic" for others can be labeled as "opportunistic" or "ill-advised" for us. Staying at one organization too long can be interpreted as "lacking ambition" rather than "loyal."

Your job changes must tell a story of intentional growth with purpose behind every move.

For career progressions, highlight patterns that defy stereotypes:

• How each move expanded your strategic influence––not only your responsibilities
• Being specifically recruited and sought out by former colleagues (this validates your professional value in a way that's more inarguable)
• How you identified and pursued opportunities that allowed you to intentionally maximize impact

For frequent job changes (especially if you've left hostile work environments), be strategic:

• Frame challenging exits positively: "After successfully launching the department's first DEI initiative, I sought an environment where I could even further develop and deepen my leadership in strategic program design."
• For roles you left due to microaggressions or lack of advancement, refocus on your autonomy and agency: "I recognized an opportunity to apply my skills in a company with established pathways for growth for high-performing leaders."
• For personal breaks, showcase continued professional engagement: "While caring for my parent during illness, I continued my professional development and contributions by serving on the board of [organization] and completing my certification in [relevant skill]."

The key: Proactively frame your narrative to showcase intentional choices rather than leaving room for assumptions based on stereotypes.

Step 3: Showcase Your Unique Value (Without Being Pigeonholed as the "Diversity Expert")

As WOC, we often walk a tightrope between highlighting our unique perspectives and being pigeonholed into "diversity work" regardless of our actual expertise and career goals. (ASK ME HOW I KNOW.)

This is your chance to position your differentiated value in a way that serves YOUR career objectives––not someone else's diversity metrics.

Identify your strategic "career superpower" that directly relates to business outcomes and weave it throughout your narrative. This might be your cross-functional collaboration skills, your ability to see and pursue market opportunities others miss, your innovative problem-solving approach, or your talent for building high-performing teams.

For example:

"After six years in program management at [Non-profit organization], I bring a unique community-centered approach to this Development Director role. As a first-generation college graduate who returned to serve my community, I've built authentic relationships with both grassroots organizations and major donors, resulting in a 67% increase in sustainable funding for our youth programs. My experience navigating complex power dynamics while maintaining my authentic voice has enabled me to bridge communication gaps between diverse stakeholders and secure our organization's largest-ever $2.5M grant. These relationship-building skills, combined with my deep understanding of the communities you serve, position me uniquely to expand your donor base beyond traditional funding sources."

Mic drop.

The WOC Two-Minute Resume Story Checklist

To sum up, ensure your resume walkthrough positions you authentically while navigating potential biases:

• Highlight experiences that directly counter potential stereotypes about WOC in your field
• Use concrete metrics and outcomes to make your impact undeniable
• Frame career transitions as strategic choices that demonstrate your initiative and leadership
• Position your unique perspective as a business asset, not just a "diversity bonus"
• Practice delivery that balances confidence with approachability (navigating the competence / likability double bind)
• Prepare for potential follow-up questions that might subtly question your capabilities
• Have ready examples of leadership, strategic thinking, and technical expertise

Your Turn: Craft Your Two-Minute Power Narrative

Before your next interview, try this exercise designed specifically for WOC:

1. Pull up the job description and highlight key requirements
2. For each requirement, identify experiences where you've excelled, particularly in areas where WOC are often underestimated
3. Note specific metrics and outcomes that validate your impact objectively
4. Identify 2-3 unique perspectives or approaches you bring that enhance business outcomes
5. Draft your two-minute walkthrough, emphasizing strategic choices and measurable impacts
6. Record yourself (if you don't want to do video, do a voice note) and review: Are you underselling achievements? Apologizing unnecessarily? Do you sound confident? Adjust accordingly.
7. Practice with a timer and a trusted friend who can provide candid feedback on both content and delivery

Rooting for your success,
Cynthia

PS –

For more leadership strategy, follow me on Forbes​ to get the tools you need in your leadership toolbelt.

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