You Have the Skills—But Your Words Are Getting in the Way

You’ve done the work. You’ve built the experience. You’ve made it to interviews.

But the offers aren’t coming.

If that’s where you are right now, it’s not because you’re underqualified. And it’s probably not because someone else had a better resume.

There’s a quieter reason I see all the time, especially in mock interviews with strong candidates:

You’re talking yourself out of the job.

The Most Common Interview Mistake You Don’t Realize You’re Making

Every week, I work with job seekers who are more than capable of doing the work. But when they speak, they often unknowingly lower the interviewer’s confidence on them.

It’s not about what they can’t do. It’s how they frame what they can.

This pattern is called negative talk—and it slips in fast:

• “It was just a small project.”

• “I’m not the strongest with algorithms.”

• “I know I’m not the obvious fit…”

It sounds like humility. It feels like honesty. But all it does is raise doubts.

How Negative Talk Shows Up—and How to Avoid It

1. Minimizing Your Work

“It wasn’t anything major.” “It was just an internal tool.”

This tells the interviewer, “Don’t take this seriously.” Instead, focus on what you built, the impact it had, and how it connects to the role.

2. Apologizing for Yourself

“I’m still learning...” “I’m not the best, but I try hard.”

Unless they ask, don’t volunteer a weakness. Stick to what you do well, and let your strengths carry the conversation.

3. Criticizing Others

“My last manager didn’t support me.” “The team was disorganized.”

Even if it’s true, it makes you sound like a risk. Instead, share what you’re looking for:

“I’m excited to join a team with strong mentorship and clear direction.”

4. Questioning Your Fit

“I figured I’d apply even though I’m not local.” “My background’s a little different…”

If you applied, you belong. Speak like someone who sees the fit, and can explain it clearly.

A Real Interview Moment That Says It All

In an interview, I once asked a candidate a simple creativity prompt:

“What are all the things you could do with a door?”

He paused.

“Maybe turn it into a table? Or use it to block something?” Then quickly added,“Sorry, I sound silly.”

But those were exactly the kinds of ideas that showed creative thinking. The problem? He filtered himself. He pulled back every time her thinking got interesting.

And just like that, the signal was lost.

Ask Yourself Before Your Next Interview

• Are you highlighting what’s relevant, or apologizing for what’s not?

• Are you speaking from confidence, or from caution?

• If someone read a transcript of your interview, would they see strengths, or self-editing?

Here’s the simplest rule I can give you: If a sentence doesn’t add value, don’t say it.

Want Help Making Your Words Work for You?

If you're getting interviews but not landing offers, I can help.

I’ve coached more than 1,000 job seekers into roles across tech and business, and the biggest shift often isn’t in skills. It’s in how you present them.

Need your resume or LinkedIn to actually reflect your value? I offer expert rewrites, done by me personally:👉 applicationowl.com/resume-rewrite

Need deeper support? My job search program gives you proven strategy, structure, and 1-on-1 guidance to help you land the right role. Book a discovery call 👉 applicationowl.com/program

You’ve done the hard part. Don’t let one sentence undo it.

Let’s make sure your value comes through—clearly, confidently, and without apology.