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“Tell me about yourself.”

It sounds simple. But in reality, it’s one of the most important and most underutilised questions in your procurement career.

It shows up everywhere: 

Interviews. Stakeholder meetings. Networking conversations. New projects.

And how you answer it shapes how people see you.

In this episode of Procurement Pivots, Donna and Laura explore why this question carries so much weight, and how procurement professionals can use it more intentionally to build confidence, credibility and influence.

Because this isn’t about walking through your CV.

It’s about positioning.

In this episode we explore:

• Why this question matters more than most people realise
• How your answer shapes perception, credibility and opportunity
• The common mistakes procurement professionals make
• Chronological answers that miss the opportunity to position your value
• Why this isn’t about selling yourself
• The difference between self-promotion and helping others understand your impact
• How to structure a strong and confident answer
• Present positioning, what you’re known for and why it matters
• Why relevance is everything
• Tailoring your message for interviews, stakeholders and networking
• How this question can set the tone in interviews
• One of the few moments where you control the direction of the conversation
• Why your professional identity goes beyond your job title
• Especially important when you’re between roles or navigating change
• How to evolve your message as your career develops
• Keeping your positioning aligned to where you’re going next

Takeaways

• A clearer understanding of why this is one of the most important questions in your procurement career
• A practical structure to answer it with confidence and clarity
• A reminder that if people don’t understand your value, they won’t recognise it
• Encouragement to be intentional with how you position yourself in every interaction

Hosted by:

Donna Bowden | Procurement Career Coach, Narrate Your Career
Laura Sellers | Executive and Leadership Coach, Coaching for Procurement

New episodes weekly:

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How are you currently answering “Tell me about yourself”?

Message us via the Procurement Pivots LinkedIn page or reach out to Donna or Laura directly.