The Language Of Getting Hired
Better words can make all the difference.
How small language shifts can change how people perceive you.
In a crowded job market, experience alone isn’t always enough.
Plenty of people look great on paper. They’ve worked at good companies, built useful things, and hit solid outcomes. So what separates those who get the interview from those who move to the final round and then land the offer?
Often it’s the experience, the values alignment, and yeah, sometimes the “vibe” *stifles a shudder
But occasionally, it’s something as simple as how well they communicate.
Our words carry more weight than we think, or realise.. Not just the big, obvious moments like interviews or negotiations, but in all the small ways you present yourself: how you answer questions, describe your past work, frame a challenge, or express uncertainty.
How you speak is often how others experience you.
You Don’t Need to Sound “Smart”, But You Should Try To Sound Clear
A common occurrence I see during interviews, specifically, is when the candidate is trying to impress with jargon, qualifiers, or “professional-sounding” language that makes their message harder to follow.
People associate clarity with intelligence. When you speak simply and directly, you come across as smart and confident. The best candidates I've offered roles to have all been able to simplify the most complex concepts.
When you waffle or overtalk, it can signal the opposite, even if you know your stuff.
🔧 Practical Language Upgrades for Interviews
These are subtle shifts that can help you sound more grounded, capable, and credible, without sounding like a script.
💬 Describing Yourself
Instead of… Try…
“I think I can…” “I’m comfortable handling…”
“I’m pretty good at…” “I’ve built real strength in…”
“I like to learn” “I’m always looking to stretch or sharpen my skills”
“I’m a team player” “I do my best work collaborating closely with others”
These kinds of phrases show calm self-awareness, not self-promotion.
🧠 Talking About Past Work
Instead of… Try…
“I helped with…” "I played a key part in…”
“I did a bit of everything” “It was a small team, so I had to wear a few hats”
“It was a learning curve." "I had to learn multiple new skills quickly”
“We changed the plan” “We made the call to pivot”
Focus on clarity over complexity.
🎯 Answering Tough Questions
When the conversation gets tricky, your tone matters just as much as your words.
Pause before responding. Take a breath first. It resets your nerves and signals composure.
Ask clarifying questions. If someone challenges you, try:
“Can I ask, what did you hear when I said that?” or,
“I’m curious, how did that come across to you?” or even,
“Just so we're on the same page, what did you take from what I said?”
This helps avoid defensiveness and keeps the conversation open.
Frame the problem, not the person.
“The project hit some complications” is better than “The team didn’t handle it well.”
“The presentation could benefit from a few tweaks” is better than “Your presentation wasn’t great.”
“There were a few moving parts we had to navigate” is better than “The team wasn’t organised.”
“The timeline slipped due to shifting priorities” is better than “The team didn’t stay on track.”
“We faced a couple of blockers that slowed us down” is better than “They didn’t plan properly.”
🧍♀️ Asking Interviewers Good Questions
Asking thoughtful questions isn’t just about gathering info but also a way to signal curiosity, maturity, and focus.
Instead of... Try…
“What’s the culture like?" “What does day-to-day collaboration look like on this team?”
“How do people get promoted?” “What does progression typically look like here?”
“What’s your leadership style?” “How do you support your team when things get hard?”
These are small shifts, but they encourage more meaningful answers and may help you leave a stronger impression.
🧭 Set the Tone Before You Speak
Before walking into any interview or conversation, maybe ask yourself:
How do I want the other party to see me?
What kind of energy do I want to bring into the meeting?
What do I want them to say about me after I leave?
Then, speak in a way that supports those outcomes. Take your time. Speak in short, complete thoughts.
This isn’t about “polishing” your personality. It’s about making sure the way you speak reflects who you are: capable, thoughtful, and ready.
When someone’s deciding whether to move you forward, what they’re really asking is:
“Can I trust this person in the room with my team, my customers, and my product?”
Let your words answer that.
You don’t need a gimmick. You just need to speak like the version of you that already knows they belong.
Because you do.
Good luck 🤞🏻
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