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.

Let’s work together. My calendar is HERE