---
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.
---

<https://theindependencelab.com/blog>

# [How I Learned to Speak with Confidence: My Conversation With Tim Newman](https://theindependencelab.com/blog/how-i-learned-to-speak-with-confidence-my-conversation-with-tim-newman)

 Written by [Brianne Rush](https://theindependencelab.com/blog/author/brianne-rush) | Sep 17, 2025 11:45:03 PM

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.

<https://theindependencelab.com/playbook>💡 [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.

[View full post](https://theindependencelab.com/blog/how-i-learned-to-speak-with-confidence-my-conversation-with-tim-newman)

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