Stop talking about progression (2024)

FAQs

How to not reveal too much of yourself? ›

Ask questions

Interviews are two-way conversations, so ask questions to help you engage with the interviewer. This engagement can often help you limit your responses to questions and keep your answers short.

One of the biggest reasons you talk yourself out of things is because you think you don't have the confidence to succeed. Here, the keyword is *think*. When you decide to over-analyze your level of trust, you're going to figure out things about yourself that you're not sure about.

The 'W' lip technique is one of the most effective ways of politely stopping a talkative candidate in their tracks and keeping the interview on topic. By simply pursing your lips in a 'W' shape, you're telling the candidate that you're waiting for a moment to ask a question ' which often starts with the letter 'W'.

For some people, sharing the intimate details of their lives can be empowering and freeing. But for many others, oversharing is a coping mechanism for anxiety, stress, and untreated trauma. In some cases, oversharing may be a cry for help from someone struggling to cope with their mental health.

Instead, think that “less is more”, let the interviewer control the conversation and the questions so that they can dig deeper if they feel that they want more information. Whilst you may want to use specific examples within your answers, consider the level of information that you are divulging.

The STAR method is a structured manner of responding to a behavioral-based interview question by discussing the specific situation, task, action, and result of the situation you are describing.

Self-talk can also be related to problems like stress, anxiety, or trauma. If you're experiencing other symptoms like difficulty sleeping or feelings of intense sadness, it's best to see a mental health care professional. It is normal to talk to yourself.

Why do I talk to myself and act out scenarios? ›

When people talk to themselves, they may be working problems out in their minds and speaking them out loud. This is also known as “self-explaining.” Talking out loud helps people work through their thoughts. Self-talk refers to the way that you talk to yourself, whether positively or negatively.

Waffling is a common interview mistake and tends to be the result of nerves, so avoid talking about everything all at once. It's important to sell your skills and experience without rambling. Once the interviewer asks a question, pause for a couple of seconds, take a breath and gather your thoughts before responding.

It's pretty normal for work-related conversations to wander into social directions, but if people are having 45-minute or longer social conversations most days of the week, that's a lot for most jobs. (That assumes they're not simultaneously working on something that doesn't require much focus.)

Too much oversharing can have serious consequences, as psychotherapist Amy Morin writes in Forbes: You might put yourself in physical danger by revealing too much to the wrong person.

One of the quickest ways to stop oversharing is by asking questions and giving others room to talk about themselves. If you have difficulty doing that now, try preparing a conversation starter ahead of time. The next time you meet someone and notice you're about to start monologuing, ask them a question.