I got rejected even though I knew most of the technical requirements my communication and confidence were the problem
Today I gave an interview for the system engineer position. I have around 4 years of experience in IT/Desktop Support, so when I read the JD, I felt quite confident because all the responsibilities were familiar to me.
But I realized that knowing something and being able to explain it clearly in an interview are two different things.
The interviewer asked me something like:
Interviewer: “It has been several months since you have been looking for a job. Why haven't you been selected?”
I answered:
Me: “Because of my performance.”
He asked:
Interviewer: “What performance?”
I said:
Me: “I'm not able to explain things properly.”
Then he asked me how confident I was that I could handle the role.
I said 95%, because I genuinely felt that I knew most of the technical requirements mentioned in the JD.
But looking back, I think that answer may have sounded contradictory. If I'm 95% confident, but I'm also saying I can't explain things properly, the interviewer may wonder how effectively I can actually handle the role and communicate with users.
The truth is that my technical knowledge isn't my biggest problem.
My problems are:
- Low confidence during interviews
- Difficulty explaining things clearly under pressure
- Sometimes fumbling or mumbling while speaking
- Thinking too much about whether my English is correct
- Getting stuck even when I actually know the answer
- Not being able to structure my answer quickly
I've given a lot of interviews over the years, and this pattern keeps repeating.
I'm now realizing that maybe I don't need to spend all my time learning more and more technical questions. I need to work on communicating what I already know.
I'm trying to improve by:
- Speaking answers aloud instead of only reading them
- Recording myself and listening to my answers
- Practicing 30–60 second answers to technical questions
- Using pauses instead of saying “umm”, “actually”, “basically” repeatedly
- Speaking slower
- Using simple English instead of trying to sound too professional
I'm sharing this because I'm sure there are other people who know their technical stuff but struggle to communicate it during interviews.
For anyone who has faced something similar: how did you improve your interview communication and confidence?
What actually worked for you — mock interviews, Toastmasters, speaking practice, recording yourself, therapy/coaching or something else?
I'd really appreciate practical advice🙏🏻