[diminium]

This is what I mean by a long lecture :(

"Jargon increases the accuracy and efficiency of communication between specialists." I think this statement is too broad. This really depends if we're on the same page (i.e. think Java and Javascript). We could end up having a long conversation about something and end up with two ends if we're not careful.

If we've been doing the same thing and working together for many months on end, then I would say yes, jargon works as an efficient means of communication. If we've never met each other and you and me have 20 minutes (realistically 15) before the next interviewer takes me - then we're going to have a problem.

[vitovito]

Maybe it's not that you're failing the technical part of the interview, but the cultural and interpersonal parts.

In your cited scenario, it's up to you to ask, "do you mean it generally, at the computer science, theoretical level, or specifically in language X, Y or Z?"

There's nothing wrong with asking for clarification. There's no game to win. There's just basic, professional, communication skills.

Talking and interviewing are skills. They are skills you can learn and practice. Getting defensive when someone is trying to help you is not going to help you.

You will be communicating in many, many different scenarios and with many, many different people who are at different levels of technical knowledge and interpersonal engagement, for the rest of your natural life. Being able to do so well is the most important skill in your professional existence. That's the whole thing. There isn't anything else if you don't have that.

Working on a team is very different from working alone specifically because there are other people involved. The social aspects of a professional relationship outweigh the technical ones by tonnes.