Sarah Bishop is a recruitment and growth strategist helping start-ups and scale-ups build high-performing teams that deliver extraordinary results.
She can be found here: www.recruitrecruit.co.uk and her best-selling book Scale Up! is available now on Amazon and in all good bookstores.
After thirty years in recruitment and what must be tens of thousands of interviews, I’ve seen imposter syndrome show up in more ways than I can count.
The quiet candidate who undersells themselves. The brilliant woman who apologises for her achievements. The senior leader who lists their accomplishments but can’t quite look you in the eye when they say them out loud.
And I get it. As a gay, AuDHD woman who can demonstrate exceptional strengths and yet overthink and doubt myself into oblivion, I know imposter syndrome from the inside out. It’s that voice that says, “who do you think you are?” just when you’re about to step up, speak out, or send off an application for a role that could genuinely change your life.
Why imposter syndrome hits women hardest
There’s plenty of research showing that women experience imposter syndrome more than men, and it’s not hard to see why. We’re often socialised to be modest, agreeable, and not to boast. Add the pressure of being in male-dominated industries like tech or leadership roles, and it’s easy to feel like you’re one question away from being “found out.”
I’ve interviewed hundreds of women who tell me things like “I don’t want to waste anyone’s time if I’m not qualified enough” and yet their CVs show a track record of delivering exceptional results. Meanwhile, their male counterparts, with less direct experience, will confidently say “I can learn that on the job.”
I sometimes (half tongue in cheek, because it’s a bit sexist to the guys) advise women to approach their job search with the confidence of a mediocre, middle-aged, middle-income white man. You don’t have to be one, but you can borrow the attitude!
Asking better questions
What’s helped me personally, and what I share with the people I coach, is learning to ask myself simple, grounding questions instead of spiralling in self-doubt. When that voice starts whispering, I stop and ask:
- Can I do this job?
- When have I done something similar, and done it really well?
Then I find experiential evidence. That’s the key phrase: experiential evidence. Your mind may doubt your worth, but it can’t argue with facts. Think of a time you solved a complex problem, led a tricky project, built a strong team, or delivered under pressure. That’s proof.
Turning reflection into confidence
Once you’ve identified those moments, visualise how you’ll express them on your CV, in your cover letter, and at interview. Imagine telling that story clearly and confidently. The act of visualising helps wire your brain for belief. It’s a simple but powerful way to bridge the gap between “I can’t” and “I can.”
When preparing for an interview, I recommend recalling two or three specific examples of where you excelled, using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Write them out, rehearse them, and even speak them aloud. You’ll sound and feel more assured because you’ve already proved these things are true.
Apply anyway
If you see a job that excites you but you’re hesitating because you don’t tick every box, apply anyway. What’s the worst that can happen? You don’t get an interview. But what’s the best? You do, and it opens the door to your next big opportunity.
Too often I’ve seen brilliant women talk themselves out of applying for a role that’s absolutely within reach. Remember, recruitment is not about perfection; it’s about potential. The company isn’t looking for a mythical unicorn. They’re looking for someone capable, curious, and ready to grow.
Borrowing bravery
One of my favourite tips for overcoming imposter syndrome is to create an alter ego: a character who embodies the confidence you’d love to project. Beyoncé had Sasha Fierce. Adele talks about becoming a different version of herself on stage.
You can do the same before a job interview. Choose your alter ego’s name, imagine how she stands, speaks, and smiles, and then borrow her energy for those crucial moments. You’re not pretending to be someone you’re not; you’re accessing the boldest, brightest parts of who you already are.
From self-doubt to self-belief
Imposter syndrome doesn’t disappear entirely; it just becomes easier to manage when you learn how to talk back to it. Every time you challenge that voice and take a brave step anyway, sending the application, saying yes to the opportunity, you’re rewriting the story you tell yourself.
The truth is, you’ve probably been the most qualified person in the room more often than you think. You’ve earned your experience, your perspective, and your place.
So, the next time that familiar doubt creeps in, take a deep breath, look at the evidence, and remind yourself: I’ve done hard things before. I can do this too.
And if all else fails, channel your inner Sasha Fierce, square your shoulders, and hit “apply.”
