But here’s the thing: this question trips up more people than almost any other.
I’ve seen incredibly capable candidates — smart, experienced, well-prepared — completely lose momentum because they weren’t sure how to approach this moment.
They either go blank and fumble their way through a vague summary…
Or they go into way too much detail, offering a full chronological tour through every job they’ve ever had, starting with the part-time role they did during university.
And neither of those responses really help you stand out.
Here’s the truth: this question is not about your entire employment history.
It’s about giving the interviewer a clear, confident narrative that explains who you are professionally, what motivates you, and how your past experience connects to the opportunity in front of you.
Think of it like setting the direction for the rest of the conversation.
When someone says, “Talk me through your CV,” what they really want to know is:
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What’s your story? I love to get an understanding of how you ended up in Tax, could be parents, friend of friends or like most people ‘fell into it’ – its all good own it!
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Start at the beginning and work around to now, focusing more on the now part which is the most relative to the role you are interviewing for
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What are the common threads that run through your career so far? Progression, challenges, advisory projects
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What have you learned, what have you built, and where are you headed next?
The key is to avoid going into unnecessary detail about early roles that are no longer relevant.
If you’re interviewing for a Tax Manager position, the interviewer doesn’t need to hear about every single task you did in whilst at university a number of years ago.
Instead, focus on the highlights — the meaningful moments.
Talk about the roles and experiences that shaped you. Think about:
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A challenge you overcame
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A project you’re proud of – clients you have supported or won!
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A point in your career where you stepped up or made an impact – this is great one for getting out of your comfort zone, which shows character.
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Something you learned that changed the way you work
And then — most importantly — connect the dots to this job.
You don’t need a perfectly polished script. You don’t need to memorise a monologue.
But you do need to be intentional. This is your chance to set the tone and show them exactly why you’re a great fit for the firm, the role, the team!
Try framing it like this:
“There are a few things that have really shaped my career — one of them is [insert a real value, strength, or motivator]. I started out in X, moved into Y, and over time I’ve really developed a passion for Z. What I’m looking for now is a role where I can continue to build on that — and that’s why this opportunity stood out to me.” It could be that you are working on a specialist client portfolio now, tax discipline or staff development / retention.
It’s structured. It’s focused. And it guides the interviewer through your career your way.
So if you’ve got an interview coming up — or even if you’re just starting to consider new opportunities — take 5–10 minutes to sit down and really think about your story – preparation is the key!
What matters most about what you’ve done? Where do you want to go next? And how do you help the person on the other side of the table see that clearly?
This is your elevator pitch.
At Pro-Tax, we take interview preparation just as seriously as you do.
Your next career move matters — and the prep call isn’t just a box-ticking exercise for us. It’s a dedicated space to help you walk into that interview with clarity, confidence, and a plan.
It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be you, with purpose.
