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 career skills that move the needle. Spoiler: they’re not all on your résumé.
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.
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 from school, part-time work, volunteering, or leadership roles that proves you’ve done something similar. Practice telling those stories with clarity and confidence.
Hard skills matter, but what got me promoted early in my career wasn’t just writing ability. It was emotional intelligence:
These aren’t innate traits; you can practice them. I bombed my first big interview, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.