If you’ve ever looked around a meeting room and thought, “I don’t belong here,” you’re not alone. Self-doubt can sneak into even the most accomplished careers, whispering that you’re not good enough, smart enough, or ready enough. This persistent inner critic is often fuelled by something many professionals silently struggle with: impostor syndrome.
While a bit of doubt can keep us humble and open to learning, too much of it can stall our career growth, making us second-guess our abilities and shrink away from opportunities. The good news? Confidence isn’t something you’re born with, it’s something you can build.
Read on to learn more about the five practical ways you can build career confidence.
4 signs that you’re doubting yourself at work
Imposter syndrome doesn’t always shout, it often shows up in subtle ways. Here are a few common signs you might be struggling with it:
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You hold back from speaking up in meetings even when you have ideas, questions, or valuable input.
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You downplay your achievements, attributing success to luck rather than your skills or effort.
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You overthink emails, messages, or conversations, second-guessing how you come across or worrying you’ve said the wrong thing.
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You hesitate to go for new opportunities like applying for a promotion or leading a project, unless you’re 100% sure you’re qualified.
5 practical ways to build career confidence
Building confidence doesn’t mean you have to be the loudest in the room or be overly assertive. It means learning to trust your voice, your choices, and your place in the room. It’s about recognising your strengths and not letting fear of failure or comparison hold you back from career growth.
Confidence grows through consistent actions and small mindset shifts. Here are five practical strategies to help you grow your self-belief and keep your inner critic in check:
1. Keep a ‘wins’ file
When impostor syndrome clouds your memory, it’s easy to forget how far you’ve come. That’s why keeping a digital or physical “wins” file can be a game-changer.
Save emails, compliments, feedback, achievements—anything that reminds you of your strengths and positive impact. On tough days, this becomes your highlight reel, helping to reinforce your belief in yourself and support your long-term career growth.
2. Name the doubt and don’t let it drive
The first step to overcoming self-doubt is recognising it for what it is. When thoughts like “I’m not good enough” or “I don’t belong here” creep in, pause and ask yourself: Is this fear or fact? Doing so helps create distance from it and, in turn, gives you a chance to take your power back to reflect on past successes.
The way you speak to yourself affects how you show up. Instead of criticising yourself, try showing yourself a little more grace and replace it with affirmations. Small language changes can help rewire your brain to see challenges as opportunities rather than threats.
For example, instead of saying “I can’t do this”, try “I’m learning how to do this”. Or you can reaffirm yourself by reminding yourself with phrases such as: “I’ve done difficult things before. I can handle this.”
3. Say yes even before you feel 100% ready
Many of us wait until we feel completely prepared before saying yes to new challenges. The thing is, confidence often comes after you’ve taken the chance.
If you’re holding back from opportunities because of fear of failure or because you don’t feel 100% qualified, you might be letting imposter syndrome call the shots. Say yes, take the chance, and trust that process. Don’t let perfectionism stop you from making mistakes.
If someone sees potential and believes in you to give you the opportunity, why don’t you? Sometimes you’d even surprise yourself by how much you’re capable of.
4. Build skills that back your belief
Confidence is stronger when it’s built on real skills. Investing in your development, whether that’s learning new tools, seeking feedback, or being curious and trying new things, can help you feel more capable and grounded. You can explore some free resources at Udemy, Coursera, Grow with Google or LinkedIn.
The more competent you become, the more confident you’ll feel showing up and contributing meaningfully at work. This is called the positive feedback loop. As you improve and take initiative, you may receive more positive feedback, recognition, or new opportunities, creating a positive feedback loop.
That encouragement reinforces your confidence, which then motivates you to keep growing. Over time, your skills and your self-belief become a strong toolbox to help you lay a strong foundation for sustainable career growth.
5. Fake it till you feel confident, then own it
We’ve all heard the saying “fake it till you make it”. But how can faking your confidence help you get over impostor syndrome? Sometimes the simple act of showing up confidently, even when you're unsure inside, can shift how others see you and how you see yourself. It’s about giving yourself the chance to show up and to try while your confidence catches up.
Remember that “faking it” doesn’t mean being someone you’re not. It just means acting with the belief in your ability to grow, not masking your true self.
True confidence doesn’t mean pretending to know it all—it means trusting your ability to learn, adapt, and grow, while still showing up as yourself.
Conclusion
Overcoming imposter syndrome is about learning to move forward with fear in the background instead of letting it lead. A reminder that career growth isn’t reserved for people who “have it all together”, it’s for anyone willing to show up, take the next step, and believe they deserve a seat at the table.
Looking for tailored advice on how to take your career to the next level? Check out our free lessons about career on the Naluri app or book a consultation with a Naluri Executive Coach and take charge of your career health today.
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