--- title: "How I Learned to Speak with Confidence: My Conversation With Tim Newman" description: Learn how confidence, curiosity, and emotional intelligence can help you land jobs, stand out in interviews, and grow faster in your career. image: https://theindependencelab.com/hubfs/Speaking%20with%20Confidence%20Cover%20Image.webp --- [![image (58)](https://theindependencelab.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image%20(58).png?width=195&height=70&name=image%20(58).png "image (58)")](https://theindependencelab.com/) - Offerings - [Interview Frameworks Mini Kit](https://theindependencelab.com/interviewminikit) - [Mock Interview](https://theindependencelab.com/mock-interview) - Free Resources - [Senior Year Job Search Timeline](https://theindependencelab.com/jobsearchtimeline) - [Life Resume Template](https://theindependencelab.com/liferesumetemplate) - [Networking Rubric](https://theindependencelab.com/networking) - [Interview Warm-Up Worksheet](https://theindependencelab.com/interviewwarmup) - [Interview Checklist](https://theindependencelab.com/master-your-first-job-interview-checklist) - [First Job Survival Kit](https://theindependencelab.com/first-job-toolkit) - [Post-Grad Glow Up](https://theindependencelab.com/post-grad-glow-up-guide) - [Emotional Wellness Cheat Sheet](https://theindependencelab.com/mental-wellness-cheat-sheet) - [401k Checklist](https://theindependencelab.com/401k) - [Books I Recommend + Notes](https://theindependencelab.com/22-books) - [Archive](https://theindependencelab.com/blog) - [About](https://theindependencelab.com/about) - [Press](https://theindependencelab.com/press) [Get the Weekly Drop](https://theindependencelab.com/subscribe) ![](https://47169197.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/47169197/Speaking%20with%20Confidence%20Cover%20Image.webp) [< Go back to blog](https://theindependencelab.com/blog) [Career Growth](https://theindependencelab.com/blog/tag/career-growth) [Emotional Intelligence](https://theindependencelab.com/blog/tag/emotional-intelligence) [Interview](https://theindependencelab.com/blog/tag/interview) # How I Learned to Speak with Confidence: My Conversation With Tim Newman If you’ve ever sat in a job interview, palms sweaty, mind blank, wondering how to show your worth without sounding like a robot, this conversation is for you. I recently joined Tim Newman on the Speaking With Confidence podcast to talk about the real ... More make up If you’ve ever sat in a [job interview](https://theindependencelab.com/master-your-first-job-interview-checklist), palms sweaty, mind blank, wondering how to show your worth without sounding like a robot, this conversation is for you. I recently joined Tim Newman on the [Speaking With Confidence podcast](https://timnewmanspeaks.com/gen-z-career-secrets-confidence-soft-skills-and-navigating-first-jobs-with-brianne-rush/) to talk about the real career skills that move the needle. Spoiler: they’re not all on your résumé. ## How Emotional Intelligence Can Accelerate Your Career Growth ### Confidence and Curiosity Beat Credentials Hiring managers may use software to scan résumés for keywords, but when it comes down to it, passion and curiosity matter more. In fact, as I shared with Tim, I’d rather hire someone who matches 70% of a job description but is eager to learn, than someone who ticks every box but lacks drive. Your move: Highlight how you’ve learned outside of class or work, including courses, certifications, or self-driven projects. Show curiosity in your cover letter and interviews. Employers notice when you want to grow, not just check off tasks. ### Prepare Stories, Not Buzzwords Saying “I’m organized” won’t get you remembered. Sharing the story of how you reorganized your college paper during a chaotic semester will. Stories reveal problem-solving, resilience, and proactivity, qualities every employer is searching for. Your move: Print the job description. For each bullet point, [write down one story](https://theindependencelab.com/blog/life-resume) from school, part-time work, volunteering, or leadership roles that proves you’ve done something similar. Practice telling those stories with clarity and confidence. ### Emotional Intelligence Is Your Secret Weapon Hard skills matter, but what got me promoted early in my career wasn’t just writing ability. It was [emotional intelligence](https://theindependencelab.com/emotional-intelligence-framework): - **Self-awareness**: Knowing what makes you nervous and learning from mistakes. - **Self-regulation**: Calming yourself when you stumble in an interview or presentation. - **Communication**: Explaining your value in ways others can understand. - **Empathy**: Building trust with teammates and leaders. - **Motivation**: Staying proactive when nobody’s watching. These aren’t innate traits; you can practice them. [I bombed my first big interview](https://theindependencelab.com/blog/bombed-my-first-job-interview-job-interview-tips), but by pausing, asking to revisit a question, and circling back with a thoughtful answer, I ended up landing the internship that launched my career. ### Say Yes Strategically You don’t have to volunteer for every task. Planning the office party? Probably won’t accelerate your career. Speaking up in sales calls, leading a project, or tackling a messy problem no one wants to touch? That’s how you get noticed for promotions. Your move: Focus on opportunities that grow your skills and impact the company’s bottom line. Balance teamwork with protecting your time for what matters most. ### Don’t Let Guilt Make Career Decisions for You At one point, I stayed too long in a role because I felt guilty about leaving a “dream job.” The stress literally made me sick. When I finally gave myself permission to pivot, the weight lifted immediately. Your move: Remember your career is not your identity. If you’re unhappy, it’s not failure to change directions. It’s growth. ## Build Your Foundation Now Gen Z is entering the workforce with a better sense of self-awareness than previous generations. The real advantage comes when you pair that self-knowledge with actionable skills in communication, confidence, and emotional intelligence. That’s why I started The Independence Lab: to give you the tools I wish I had when I started. 💡 [Grab the free Emotional Intelligence Playbook I mentioned in the podcast. It’s usually $19, but for podcast listeners and blog readers, it’s free.](https://theindependencelab.com/playbook) Whether you’re interviewing for your first role or eyeing your next promotion, remember this: credentials get you in the door, but confidence and curiosity carry you through it. ## Latest articles There is so much more to learn on your journey to your independent life. Check out all our articles here. [![woman worrying she does not have enough experience](https://47169197.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/47169197/woman%20worrying%20she%20does%20not%20have%20enough%20experience.png)](https://theindependencelab.com/blog/dont-have-the-years-of-experience-required-do-these-5-things-to-get-ahead) [Career Growth](https://theindependencelab.com/blog/tag/career-growth) ### **Don't have the years of experience required? Do these 5 things to get ahead** Written by Brianne Rush, on Sep 10, 2026, 9:00:00 AM A client came to me recently feeling stuck. Read more [![](https://47169197.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/47169197/woman%20looking%20at%20Viral%20LinkedIn%20Post.png)](https://theindependencelab.com/blog/my-viral-post-makes-interviewing-a-little-bit-easier) [Career Growth](https://theindependencelab.com/blog/tag/career-growth) ### **My viral post makes interviewing a little bit easier** Written by Brianne Rush, on Sep 3, 2026, 9:00:02 AM One of my LinkedIn posts recently went viral. It provided so much value people were sharing it like crazy. Read more [![my-first-interview](https://47169197.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/47169197/Financial%20Independence-1.webp)](https://theindependencelab.com/blog/bombed-my-first-job-interview-job-interview-tips) [Career Growth](https://theindependencelab.com/blog/tag/career-growth) ### **I Thought I Bombed My First Job Interview + 3 Job Interview Tips** Written by Brianne Rush, on Aug 27, 2026, 9:00:01 AM Ever had a moment where you felt your dream slipping away right before your eyes? That was me, sitting at my college ... 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