Why Over-Explaining in Interviews Can Backfire—And What to Do Instead
When More Isn’t Better
In coaching calls lately, I’ve heard a common frustration:
➡️ “I know I have the right experience, but I think I’m losing them in the interview.”
Often, when I ask for examples, I notice the same thing: they’re over-explaining.
It’s not that their experience isn’t valuable—it’s that they’re working too hard to justify it.
And when you try to convince instead of connect, you lose clarity. And confidence.
Why We Over-Explain
If you’ve been in a long search, recently laid off, or pivoting to a new type of role, it’s easy to slip into this habit:
- You want to prove you can do the job.
- You want to make up for a nontraditional title or path.
- You’re afraid they won’t “get” your value, so you pile on more info.
But here’s the truth:
The more words you use, the harder it is for them to hear what matters.
When you’re in an interview, your job is to:
✅ Show how you’ll solve their problem
✅ Do it in a clear, confident way
✅ Make it easy for them to imagine you on their team
That requires editing—not explaining.
What Happens When You Over-Talk
- You bury your best points
- You start sounding unsure of yourself
- You lose the interview’s natural flow (and sometimes, your own energy)
I often remind my clients:
If you’re explaining, you’re not leading.
How to Shift From Over-Explaining to Driving Demand
Here’s a simple framework I use in coaching:
1️⃣ Start with the Headline
Lead with:
Here’s what I bring that solves your problem.
Example:
"In this type of role, I’m known for driving market growth through cross-functional influence—especially in complex orgs."
That’s your anchor. THEN add one example or story.
2️⃣ Pause for Alignment
After you answer:
"Would that be helpful here?" or
"Does that align with what this role needs?"
This keeps the conversation interactive—not a monologue.
3️⃣ Resist the Urge to Justify
If you hear yourself starting to say:
❌ "I know I don’t have that exact title, but…"
❌ "I haven’t done this in the same channel, but…"
❌ "I know my experience is a little different, but…"
STOP.
Say instead:
✅ "Here’s what I bring that’s transferable and valuable for this team."
That’s confidence. And that creates demand.
Remember: It’s Not About Saying More—It’s About Saying What Matters
When you trust that your experience speaks for itself (because you’ve framed it clearly), you don’t need to fill the space with more.
Hiring managers remember clarity. They hire clarity.
Your Action Step: Edit One Interview Answer This Week
Pick one common interview question: “Tell me about yourself” or “Why are you interested in this role?”
Then:
✅ Write it
✅ Cut 25%
✅ Lead with the headline—your value, not your backstory
Practice out loud. You’ll feel the difference—and so will your next interviewer.
Want Help Tightening Your Interview Story?
If you’re tired of feeling like you’re working too hard in interviews, I can help.
Connect with me on LinkedIn and mention this blog in your invitation to get your free CPG Job Search Resources guide.
Schedule a call with me to discuss your next steps.
Join the The CPG Mentor Community, not only has the updated Job List every week, but also has like-minded people who want to help you succeed! Our next Live Networking Group is soon. You must be a member to participate. Just click here (you can unsubscribe anytime!)
This CPG Job Search Playbook may be all you need to get you unstuck and creating traction. Invest in yourself today and reap the benefits for the rest of your career! CLICK HERE to get started immediately.
