Jessica O'ConnorMore than half of UK employees experience impostor syndrome at work, despite recognising their own abilities, according to research from MyPerfectCV.
According to the survey of over 1,000 professionals, 51% of employees said like they are “faking it” at work at least sometimes, projecting more confidence or competence than they genuinely feel.
This comes even as the majority attributed their success to skill rather than luck.
Nearly seven in 10 employees said they feel pressure to appear more confident or knowledgeable than they are, with high expectations, peer comparison and limited feedback all contributing to persistent self-doubt.
The research found that self-doubt is not just a personal issue but a structural one shaped by workplace conditions.
The most common triggers included comparing oneself to high-achieving peers, a lack of recognition or feedback, and personal perfectionism, alongside the pressures of rapidly evolving roles and technology.
In addition, more than one in four employees said they overwork to prove themselves when experiencing self-doubt, while others reported second-guessing decisions, focusing excessively on detail or holding back from sharing ideas.
Career progression is also being affected. Over two-thirds of respondents said self-doubt has negatively impacted their career growth, with many avoiding opportunities or hesitating to take on additional responsibility.
Jasmine Escalera, career expert at MyPerfectCV, said: “Impostor syndrome isn’t a lack of ability; it’s often a response to workplace environments that reward certainty and visibility over learning and honesty.
“When leaders don’t acknowledge their own mistakes or growth moments, it can reinforce the idea that confidence is mandatory and doubt should stay hidden.”
