Applying off-campus after graduation — how do you explain the months since college?

I graduated in May and still haven't landed a role. I'm now getting interview calls from off-campus applications, and in two HR rounds so far I've been asked "what have you been doing since you graduated?" Both times I rambled.

The honest answer is: applying, a SQL/Excel course, and a small dashboard project. That's real, but when I say it out loud it sounds like I'm filling time.

How have others framed this? Right now I'm trying something like: "I've been job hunting full-time and used the time to add SQL and dashboarding, which is why I'm applying for analyst roles. Happy to show you the project."

Does that sound OK or too rehearsed? And does the length of the gap change how you'd answer: 4 months vs 10 months?