[xorcist]

I think you sold yourself in a very straightforward way they way you put it above. I'd skip the due diligence explanation though, it feels self-important where no explanation should be necessary, but that might just be a culture thing. It might work for you.

How to structure your job application depends on so much more than why the PhD didnd't fit you. I would think more about what job you are applying for, and why you think it would be a good experience.

To start with you need to at least have an idea about what you're looking for. That may well be impossible at 26 (it was for me), but you can get a good idea by looking around what's available. It's not the end of the world if you change your mind later.