What if you’re more qualified than you think? (Spoiler: You probably are!)

by Patrycja Janik
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Have you ever looked at a job description, felt excited and then convinced yourself you weren’t qualified enough? It’s not just you.

• Women tend to apply for jobs only when they meet 100% of the criteria, while men apply at 60% (Harvard Business Review).
• Women are less likely to negotiate salaries or ask for promotions - often waiting to be recognised rather than putting themselves forward (McKinsey).
• Only 12% of women say they feel “very confident” when it comes to their career development (LinkedIn).

And this isn’t just about job applications. Women often:

• Hesitate to switch roles or industries, even when they have transferable skills.
• Feel they need more qualifications before starting a business.
• Downplay their expertise instead of positioning themselves as thought leaders.

Why does this happen?

It’s easy to say, “Women should just be more confident,” but that ignores some of the real reasons behind these patterns:

• Social conditioning - Many of women grow up in environments that encourage modesty and “not taking up too much space,” while men are praised for confidence and ambition.

• The competence vs. confidence gap - Research shows people are often rewarded more for how confident they appear than for actual competence - something that disproportionately holds women back.

• Perfectionism - Women are more likely to believe they must be 100% ready before taking action, leading to over-preparing rather than doing.

• Fear of judgment - Many women hesitate to put themselves forward because they worry about how they’ll be perceived. Will people think I’m too ambitious? Too inexperienced? Not qualified enough? This fear can stem from past experiences of being dismissed or overlooked, or simply the pressure to always appear competent. As a result, women may hold back from speaking up in meetings, applying for leadership roles, or sharing their expertise publicly, despite being just as (or even more) qualified than their peers.

So how do you move past this?

• Reframe rejection - Instead of seeing “no” as failure, treat it as data. If you apply for a job or pitch an idea and don’t get it, what can you learn? Each step forward builds resilience.

• Take action before you feel ready - Confidence doesn’t magically appear - it follows action. Apply for the job, send the proposal, say yes to the opportunity before you feel 100% prepared.

• Recognise the cost of waiting - Every time you hold back, you lose valuable time. Imagine where you’d be today if you had started last year. What will change if you start now?

• Seek out expanders - Surround yourself with people who inspire and challenge you - mentors, peers, or even role models from afar. Seeing other women succeed makes it easier to believe you can, too.

• Own your expertise - Instead of waiting for external validation, write down the skills, experiences, and strengths you already have. Read it back when self-doubt creeps in.

You are more capable than you think.

Your next move, whether it’s a new job, industry, or business, isn’t about proving yourself or doing it perfectly. It’s about starting and owning what you already bring to the table.
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If self-doubt is keeping you stuck, let’s talk. Coaching can help you recognise your value and take the next step with confidence.

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