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Interviews: Stop Listing Skills - Start Showing Them

How to stand out from other candidates

by Speak Tech English

Note: The Speak Tech English newsletter is now The Stack — same team, same content, new look!

- helping engineering teams deliver faster and stay on track

⭐ STAND OUT IN INTERVIEWS

With so many candidates competing for the same roles, you need to show what makes you different.

Here’s how to do that when you talk about your technical skills

1. Focus on the overlap between your skills and those mentioned on the job description

This might include skills like programming languages, frameworks, tools, methodologies.

e.g. Python, JavaScript, Django, Git, Confluence, AWS, Agile, CI/CD, Jira

2. Don’t just list skills but show how you use them
I’m experienced in using Tableau, SQL and Jira.
✔️ I’m experienced in using Tableau to turn complex data into simple visuals that guide team decisions.

3. Show your personality
This is where you can stand out from other candidates by mentioning the type of tasks you enjoy or how you like to work.
e.g. I love the feeling of finally solving a complex problem.

👇 Want more examples?
Keep scrolling for a full list…

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MORE EXAMPLES…

When should I use these structures in an interview?
A good time to talk about your skills is in your self-introduction, or when asked about your strengths/what makes you a good fit for the role.

  • I have a strong foundation in both backend and frontend development.

  • I work mainly with Python and AWS to build data pipelines, and I’ve recently been studying for an AWS certificate.

  • I’m comfortable working across the stack, from designing APIs to building UI components.

  • I work well in environments where I can collaborate closely with other teams.

  • I value clear communication and regular feedback.

Thanks for reading!

📣 If you found this useful, share it with teammates and get our Get Hired in Tech bundle (worth $150) as a thank you from us!

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