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Whilst imposter syndrome, defined as a feeling of self-doubt that you don't have the expertise or qualities for your job, is rife across the world of work today, it is most notable for women working within the technology sector.
According to new research from Hays, based on a survey with over 8,000 responses, almost two thirds (64%) of technology professionals have experienced feelings of imposter syndrome at some point during their career, with close to a quarter (22%) saying they’ve experienced these feelings often.
Imposter syndrome affects women (68%) working across tech more so than men (61%) and individuals working within the private sector are slightly more impacted (65%) than those within the public sector (61%).
Technology appears to be the industry most affected by imposter syndrome; here’s how five industries differ in terms of the extent to which professionals have experienced this feeling of self-doubt:
On top of this, over a third (36%) of those working across tech believe their experiences of imposter syndrome have become more frequent as their career progressed.
Amanda Whicher, Technology Director at Hays UK&I, comments: “As technology evolves at such a rapid pace and professionals race against the clock to keep up with these changes, it’s no wonder that imposter syndrome creeps in.
However, it's important to remember that we too are constantly evolving; whilst imposter syndrome often stems from a fear of not having enough technical expertise, talented tech professionals bring a whole host of soft skills to the workforce that are continually developing as they progress their career.
We cannot overlook the fact that more women doubt what they are capable of than men. This imposter syndrome imbalance both stems from and exacerbates the lack of female representation across the tech sector, so it’s crucial that we take the necessary steps to overcome this phenomenon.
Firstly, recognise that imposter syndrome is not a reflection of reality but a negative feeling from your inner critic. Secondly, focus on your strengths and achievements to improve your confidence. Thirdly, embrace imperfection and be willing to make mistakes as they are an opportunity to learn and grow.
Similarly, employers have a vital part to play in celebrating the successes of their workforce and rewarding them accordingly, so they feel less like imposters and more like worthy and valued members of the team.”
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About the research:
The survey on which these findings are based was carried out between 3rd-19th February 2025 and received 8,247 responses from employers and employees working in a range of organisations and sectors across the UK, including 680 professionals and employers across the technology sector.
Contact
Contact information for any media enquiries relating to Hays UK and Ireland: PR team number: 020 3040 0282 PR team email: public.relations@hays.com
About Hays
Hays plc (the "Group") is the world’s leading specialist in workforce solutions and recruitment, such as RPO and MSP. The Group is the expert at recruiting qualified, professional, and skilled people worldwide, being the market leader in the UK, Germany, and Australia and one of the market leaders in Continental Europe, Latin America, and Asia. The Group operates across the private and public sectors, dealing in permanent positions, contract roles and temporary assignments. As of 30 June 2024, the Group employed over 11,100 staff operating from 236 offices in 33 countries. For the year ended 30 June 2024:
