Closing the confidence gap can boost your career

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Imposter syndrome is well known: coined by clinical psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes in the 1970s, the term has been the subject of a million column inches exploring and examining it ever since.

Research shows that up to 82% of people, across a wide range of demographics, will struggle with imposter syndrome at some point in their lives. That feeling of fear and inadequacy around work, and the desperate surety that we’re going to be found out any minute, is really common.

What often goes hand-in-hand with imposter syndrome — like a sort of evil twin — is something called the confidence gap. The concept took shape in a 2009 book, Womenomics, by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman and it can manifest itself in many ways.

Breeding ground

Agency-land and adland is a perfect breeding ground for both imposter syndrome and the confidence gap: jobs are highly coveted, but can be in legacy businesses with uncertain futures. Much is expected of employees and there can be extreme pressure to keep up with new and emerging technologies and hone unfamiliar skills. Youth is coveted above all. It’s little wonder, then, that people can feel they aren’t doing enough.

When it comes to how the confidence gap manifests itself, evidence suggests that women are more likely to fall prey to it. That’s not to say that men don’t suffer from a lack of confidence, but it doesn’t affect them as adversely — in fact, a Columbia Business School study found that men tend to overestimate their abilities by 30%. Women tend to negotiate less, seek less opportunities and have a reduced likelihood of taking on or expecting to achieve leadership roles, which means they will be less likely to be in positions of power and influence.

A Hewlett Packard internal report found that men will apply for a job when they meet 60% of the qualifications, but women hesitate to apply unless they can satisfy 100% of them. Another study showed that while women score higher than men in 84% of leadership competencies, young women’s confidence is lower than that of young men’s.

Closing the gap

The news isn’t all bad. There is evidence that women age out of their lack of confidence, and they reach parity with men’s confidence levels around age 40. So if you’re still worried about applying for that job you’re not sure you’re quite right for, don’t be: in a study of more than 6,000 job applications across 118 industries, it was established that candidates who meet at least 50% of the requirements for a job are as likely to get a call to an interview as those who meet 90% of the criteria.

If your confidence is suitably bolstered and you’re now in the market for a new job, we have three below that are worth a look. Discover thousands more on the Job Board too.

Specialist, Publicity Docs and Unscripted, Netflix

Netflix is looking for a specialist to handle publicity for its original documentary and unscripted series’. The Docs and Unscripted Specialist will work closely alongside the Docs and Unscripted Manager, delivering innovative publicity campaigns across a wide UK media landscape, delivering great content, driving conversation and pushing creativity. You’ll need over six years’ of entertainment publicity experience and you’ll be passionate about entertainment and a fan of documentaries and nonfiction. Apply now.

Account Manager (Project Team), Bauer Media Group

Bauer Media’s B2B division works across print, digital, events, awards, round tables and webinars. It is seeking an Account Manager for its Project Team. You’ll work as a flexible sales resource across the portfolio, assisting the team on generating sales, rebooking previous clients and finding new business, and new categories. You’ll also be involved in selling on specific features and supplements and pitching. Proven experience of success in a sales role, good planning and organisational skills and great communication skills are essential. Apply now.

Senior Marketing Campaign Producer, Amazon Digital UK Limited

Prime Video is seeking a Senior Marketing Campaign Producer to manage 360 marketing campaign delivery for its original content. This position will ensure that each element of a TV show or movie launch marketing campaign is completed on time and on budget in the most effective and efficient manner possible. You’ll be a self-starter who is able to prioritise and deliver on multiple deadlines with a track record of driving results. Experience of project management and creative production at an advertising agency, network or studio production company is essential. You’ll be fluent in video, digital and static formats while understanding the fundamentals of asset management and ad trafficking and you will have a detailed knowledge of the workflow within a marketing, production company or digital creative department. Apply now.

For more career opportunities and to find your dream job, visit the Mediatel Job Board.

Kirstie McDermott is senior content manager at Amply, part of Mediatel Jobs’ partner Jobbio