The “Impostor Syndrome” in the Recruitment ProcessCandidates Who (Still) Don’t Believe They’re Good Enough

It may come as a surprise, but as experts with years of experience in recruitment, we often come across highly qualified professionals who choose not to apply for roles that are fully aligned with their skills and experience.

The reason often isn’t a lack of opportunity, but an internal sense that they’re “not good enough” for the challenges ahead.

They’re experienced, competent - but held back by doubts that prevent them from taking the next step. That “something” has a name.

What Is Impostor Syndrome?

Impostor Syndrome (or more precisely, Impostor Phenomenon) is a psychological pattern where individuals doubt their accomplishments despite clear evidence of success.

Those who experience it tend to attribute their achievements to external factors like luck or timing and live with the fear that “sooner or later, they’ll be found out.”

The term was coined in 1978 by Dr. Pauline Clance and Dr. Suzanne Imes in a study of high-achieving women in academic and professional settings.

How Does It Show Up in Job Candidates?

• A highly experienced candidate refrains from applying because they don’t meet 100% of the requirements.

• During an interview, someone with tangible success downplays their accomplishments.

• A candidate admits feeling like a “fraud,” despite years of hands-on experience.

This isn’t classic low self-esteem. It’s a deeper conflict between a genuine “I can” and a persistent inner voice whispering, “I’m not enough.”

What Do We Miss in the Hiring Process?

From the perspective of a recruitment agency, these candidates are sometimes invisible:

• Their CVs are overly modest;

• They don’t “sell themselves” well in interviews;

• They give off uncertainty, which is mistaken for a lack of motivation.

In reality, these individuals are often among the most responsible, dedicated, and engaged.

What Can We Do as Recruitment Professionals?

• Read between the lines in résumés and interviews;

• Create space for conversations that reveal more than what’s written;

• Don’t confuse humility with weakness;

• Ask the right questions - without pressure.

A Word to Job Seekers

If you’re hesitating about whether you’re “good enough,” know that doubt itself is often a sign of awareness - not a lack of ability. Sometimes the most valuable outcome isn’t the new job, but the inner work that prepares you for it.

Impostor Syndrome isn’t a flaw - it’s a challenge to be overcome.

It highlights the gap between who we are and what we’re capable of becoming.

True success begins when we learn to rise above our doubts and recognize our own worth. Only then can we fully unlock our potential - and allow the professional world to see our true talent.