We all know the job market is tough, and most job seekers have heard one or more of these phrases before.

• "You don't have much experience in this industry."
• "Your background is a little nontraditional."
• "You've moved around a lot for someone your age."

It can feel like a gut punch, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the conversation. How you respond can change the entire trajectory of the conversation.

One simple reframing technique for handling this type of feedback is a game-changer, and it comes from one of the most beloved public figures of all time: Dolly Parton.

The "Label Upgrade" Strategy

Communication expert Dorie Clark, who has taught executive education at Columbia Business School and Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, points to a moment when Barbara Walters asked Dolly point blank whether she considered herself a "hillbilly."

Dolly didn't deny it. She didn't get defensive either. Instead, she did something smarter — she agreed with the label, then redefined it on her own terms.

Her people, she explained, weren't formally educated, but they had "a lot of class." They had "good common sense — horse sense," as she put it. She took a word that could have stung and turned it into a source of pride, without ever raising her voice or getting rattled.

Clark calls this the "label upgrade." It's not about spinning the truth or pretending a weakness isn't real. It's about refusing to let someone else define what that truth means about you.

How to Use it in a Job Search

Interviews are full of these moments. A hiring manager points out a gap in your resume. A recruiter asks why you don't have a degree in the field. Someone notices you've changed jobs more than once in the last few years.

While you may want to over-explain, apologize, or get defensive, calmly owning the fact and reframing it tends to come across as more confident and will leave a mark that makes you stand out among other candidates.

Here's what that can sound like in practice:

• "I don't have 10 years in this industry," becomes, "I bring a fresh perspective, and I can ramp up fast."
• "I don't have a degree in this field," becomes, "I've built hands-on experience by solving real-world challenges.”
• "I've changed roles a few times," becomes, "I've picked up a wide range of skills quickly, and I know how to adapt."

None of these are dishonest. They're just told from your unique angle.

The Takeaway

You don't get to control every question an interviewer asks. But you do get to control how you answer it. The next time a conversation feels discouraging, try the “label upgrade”. Acknowledge the statement, reframe it, and keep the story yours to tell.