16 tips to be more confident at work

Ever feel like everyone else at work has it all figured out, except you? Whether it’s speaking up in meetings or taking the lead on a project, a lack of confidence at work can sneak up on the best of us. 

Early in your career, it’s normal to feel unsure of yourself, like you haven’t “earned” your spot yet. You might even second-guess your skills or worry that speaking up will come across as arrogant. But confidence isn’t about knowing it all – it’s about showing up, even when you’re still learning. And when you believe in your value, others are more likely to see it too.

This guide will give tips on being more confident in everyday work situations, from job interviews to meetings to sharing your ideas. You don’t need to fake it until you make it –  you just need practical ways to grow your confidence daily.

Why confidence matters (and how to build it)

Confidence is about trusting your abilities, even while developing them. And it plays a big role in how others see your potential. If you’re just starting out, you might feel unsure when going for a job interview, speaking up in meetings, contributing new ideas, and showing others what you can do.

But here’s the good news: you don’t have to wait until you feel confident to act confident. Confidence grows with experience, preparation, and a few tools to guide you. Let’s get into how you can build it, step by step.

How to be more confident in job interviews

Interviews can feel daunting, especially if you’re just entering the workforce. But a bit of preparation goes a long way.

Tip 1: Research the company and role

Start by visiting the company’s website, social media pages, and recent news articles. Take notes on their mission, values, and recent projects, as this context will help you tailor your answers and show your genuine interest in the role and company. 

For example, if you're applying to an environmental non-profit, you could talk about how their community work aligns with your values around sustainability.

Tip 2: Think about common questions and your answers

Make a list of common interview questions, such as “Tell me about yourself,” “What are your strengths?” and “Why do you want to work here?” 

Practice your answers using real-life examples whenever possible. If you’ve worked a casual retail job, for instance, you could talk about handling a demanding customer and what you learned from the experience.

To keep your responses clear and structured, use the STAR method. Here’s how it works:

• Situation: Set the scene

• Task: Explain your responsibility

• Action: Describe what you did

• Result: Share the outcome

This approach helps you stay focused and highlight your skills in a way that’s easy for interviewers to follow.

Tip 3: Prepare a few questions to ask the interviewer

Asking questions during an interview shows you’re engaged, proactive, and genuinely interested in the role. It also reflects confidence and curiosity, qualities which employers value. You might ask about team culture or growth opportunities. For example:

• What does a typical day in this role look like?

• What does success look like in this position after six months?

• How would you describe the team culture?

Tip 4: Try a mock interview with a friend or mentor

Set up a practice session with a friend or mentor who can ask you real interview questions. Treat it like the real thing: dress the part, sit upright, and respond as you would in an actual interview. Afterward, ask for honest feedback on your tone, clarity, and body language. 

Record the session and watch it back to spot areas for improvement. Practicing your answers out loud helps ease nerves and boosts your confidence and delivery.

Problem-solving: If you get stuck mid-question

If your mind goes blank, try saying, “That’s a great question. Can I take a moment to think about it?” Then, refocus using the STAR method. Interviewers respect honesty and composure, so make sure to relax and breathe.

How to be more confident in your everyday work

Once you’re in the role, building confidence is about learning, reflecting, and growing over time. Here’s how you can be more confident once you get the job.

Tip 1: Know your strengths and what you’re still learning

Start by listing what you’re good at, even if it seems small. Skills like being organised, solving problems, or picking things up quickly all count. Then, balance that with areas you’re still working on to show self-awareness and a growth mindset. 

Once you’ve identified your strengths, take a moment to reflect on the skills you’d like to develop. This keeps you grounded and open to continuous learning.

For example: I'm good at organising team tasks, managing my time, and staying calm under pressure. I'm still learning how to lead meetings and give constructive feedback.

Tip 2: Keep track of wins, even small ones

Did you get positive feedback on a task or help solve a tricky problem? Write it down. These small wins are powerful reminders of your progress. 

Consider starting a “wins” journal or folder to track praise from managers, completed projects, and tasks you’re proud of. It could be as simple as saving screenshots of encouraging emails and messages you’ve gotten. Look back on them when you need to lift your mood and remind yourself how far you’ve come.

Tip 3: Use positive self-talk

Start noticing when your inner critic speaks up. Instead of defaulting to thoughts like, “I don’t know what I’m doing,” try to reframe them. Replace them with kinder, more constructive affirmations such as, “I’m still learning, but I’m improving every day,” or “That wasn’t perfect, but I handled it well.”

A simple habit can help reinforce this shift. For example, write down three positive things about your work each week. When self-doubt sneaks in, read them aloud. Swapping “I messed up that task” for “I’m learning how to manage my time better” can make a big difference in building a more confident mindset.

Tip 4: Ask for feedback 

After completing a project, take the opportunity to ask your manager for feedback. Questions like, “What worked well?” and “What could I improve next time?” open the door to helpful insights. Confidence grows when you understand what you’re doing well and where to improve.

If your schedule allows, set up regular check-ins with your manager or a trusted colleague. These don’t have to be long; they just require a quick conversation to reflect on your progress or ask for guidance. Not only does this help you build skills over time, but it also shows your genuine desire to grow.

Problem-solving: If feedback feels harsh

It’s normal to feel a little hurt when receiving constructive criticism. Take a moment to process your emotions before responding. Try not to take it personally – instead, use it as an opportunity to improve. Ask questions like “Can you share an example so I understand better?” or “What would you do in that situation?” to shift your focus towards improvement.

How to be more confident when speaking in meetings or presentations

Speaking in front of others can be nerve-wracking. But preparation is your best friend and can make meetings or presentations less intimidating.

Tip 1: Know your audience

Think about who you’re speaking to. Are you talking to colleagues or clients? Once you know your audience, you can put yourself in your listeners’ shoes and consider what they care about. 

When talking to clients, focus on solutions, results, and benefits. If it’s your team, share timelines, progress, deliverables, and ideas clearly and concisely.

Tip 2: Prepare your talking points ahead of time

While it might be tempting, don’t rely on winging it. Make sure you write down the key points you want to make and practice them. It helps to have a simple outline to give your presentation more structure.

You can break down your presentation into sections, such as “Project update”, “Challenges”, and “Next steps”. Don’t forget to practice your transitions between points, like “Now that we’ve covered the timeline, here’s what’s next”.

Tip 3: Anticipate questions and stay open to discussion

To cover all your bases, think about what people might ask and prepare short, honest answers. It’s okay not to know everything, but being open and thoughtful goes a long way.

Consider 2 to 3 questions your audience might ask and how you’d answer them. For example, if you’re reporting on a delayed project, prepare to explain the delay and how you’re addressing it.

Tip 4: Practise out loud and record yourself if you need to

Reading silently isn’t the same as speaking out loud. If you’re comfortable, use your phone to record yourself practising and play it back. It’ll help you fine-tune your pacing and tone.

You can also stand in front of a mirror to check your body language and hand gestures. Don’t overthink it. The more you practise, the more natural it’ll feel.

To practise sticking to your presentation’s time limit, read your points out loud and time yourself. As much as possible, try to catch filler words like “um” or “like” and stop yourself from using them. It may feel awkward at first, but it helps build fluency and confidence.

Problem-solving: If you get a question you didn’t prep for

If you receive a question you didn’t expect to answer, stay calm and try the PREP method, like this:

• Point: State your view or position, e.g., “I believe we should prioritise X”.

• Reason: Explain why, e.g., “Because it affects client delivery”.

• Example: Give a quick example, or share a quick story or fact, e.g., “Last month, we saw a delay from not doing this”.

• Point: Reaffirm your answer and reiterate your view, e.g., “So it makes sense to act now”. 

This structure keeps your answer clear, even under pressure. You can also ask for clarification if you need more context. And remember, it’s okay to say, “I’ll need to get back to you on that.”

How to be more confident when sharing ideas

Do you have an idea you’re unsure how to bring up? Sharing ideas can feel risky, but it’s also where your confidence shines.

Tip 1: Think about how your idea helps solve a problem or improve things

Instead of starting with, “Here’s what I think”, try framing your idea based on value. Identify a specific issue, then follow up with a clear solution. This approach makes your point more impactful and shows that you’re thinking proactively.

Let’s say you’ve noticed a problem in your team’s processes. You could say, “I’ve noticed our team is spending a lot of time entering data manually. What if we used a shared online form to streamline the process and save time?” This way, you’re offering a clear observation and a potential improvement, making your contribution more constructive.

Tip 2: Ensure your ideas are clear and doable

Break your idea down into clear, actionable steps to make it more tangible. Start by considering who will be involved, what resources or actions are needed, and what outcome you aim for. This helps turn a vague concept into a concrete plan.

For example, instead of just saying, “Let’s create a form”, you could frame it step by step: “First, I’ll build a sample form to get a feel for how it works. Then, we can test it with one project to see how it performs before expanding it to other teams.” 

Tip 3: Be curious and ask questions

Confidence isn’t about having all the answers – it’s about asking insightful questions and being open to feedback. Your ability to ask good questions demonstrates strength, not weakness. 

When you’re sharing an idea, ask your team: “What would make this idea even stronger?” or “Has anyone tried something similar before?” These kinds of questions spark deeper discussions and help you build stronger, more effective solutions together.

Problem-solving: If someone shoots down your idea

Not everyone will agree with your ideas, and that’s perfectly okay. Disagreement is a natural part of collaboration, and it’s rarely personal. 

When you encounter pushback, you can respond with something like, “That’s helpful. Can you share more about what concerns you?” This shows you’re open to understanding their perspective.

From there, take the opportunity to build on the feedback or propose a way forward. Offering alternatives or suggesting tweaks can open up the conversation for creative solutions. You might even find a compromise that addresses everyone’s concerns. 

Quick confidence boosters for any situation

Need a fast pick-me-up before a meeting or presentation? Try these:

Wear something that makes you feel comfortable and capable

Pick an outfit that fits well, feels professional, and makes you feel like yourself. Even a favourite pair of shoes can boost your self-perception. If you feel good, it shows. Your outfit doesn’t need to be flashy, just something that makes you feel good in your skin. 

Use open, relaxed body language

Sit or stand tall, and make eye contact. Avoid crossing your arms or showing any other indication that you’re uncomfortable. Using this positive body language will help you feel more confident and grounded.

Before a meeting, roll your shoulders, take a deep breath, straighten your posture, and stand tall. Once you get into the habit, these physical cues can calm your nerves.

Set small goals and celebrate progress

Instead of aiming for perfection, strive for progress. Did you get through your first team meeting? Did you nail a task? Did you make a new connection? Those are all wins, and you should recognise them.

Confidence also grows with momentum. Set one daily goal like “Speak in the team meeting” or “Ask a question during training”. Tick it off and give yourself some credit.

Talk to people you trust to help shift your mindset

When in doubt, chat with someone who believes in you. They can help you reframe your thinking and highlight strengths you might not see.

A mentor, colleague, or even a friend can give you perspective when you’re second-guessing yourself. If you're feeling stuck, reach out to someone you admire and ask, “How did you build your confidence when you started?”

Confidence grows when you give it a shot

If you want to learn to be confident, here’s the truth: confidence doesn’t come from waiting until you feel “ready”. It comes from taking action, learning as you go, and showing up anyway.

Keep learning, keep speaking up, and most importantly, keep trusting yourself. Whether you’re facing a job interview or sharing an idea for the first time, you’ve got more to offer than you think.

FAQs

How can I be more confident at work when I’m just starting?

Confidence starts with acknowledging that you deserve to be where you are, even if you’re still learning. Take pride in your progress, ask questions when unsure, and celebrate your growth. 

Make a habit of listing one thing you did well each day, even if it’s something small like speaking up in a meeting or learning a new tool. Confidence builds when you look back and see how far you’ve come.

What’s the best way to be confident when speaking in front of others?

Confidence while speaking starts with preparation. Know your topic, rehearse out loud, and anticipate questions. You can start small, like volunteering to give a short update in a team meeting. Try grounding techniques like deep breathing beforehand. 

Remember: people want you to do well, and your message matters more than perfection. Picture yourself speaking clearly and being listened to already. Visualising your success helps rewire your mindset.

How do I show confidence at work without sounding like I know everything?

You can project confidence by being prepared, respectful, and curious. Use language that’s assertive, but open. It’s good to own your knowledge, but remember to be receptive to other ideas. For instance, you can say, “Based on my experience, I’d suggest…” or “I believe this approach might work well. What do you think?” 

And you don’t need to be the loudest person in the room. You just need to show up with clarity, professionalism, and a willingness to collaborate.

How can I be confident in a job interview if I don’t have much experience?

Focus on transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, and adaptability, especially if you’ve built them through study, volunteering, or part-time jobs. Share real stories using the STAR method to show how you handle challenges or take initiative. 

It’s always good to be honest in interviews, even if you don’t have enough experience. Let your enthusiasm and willingness to learn shine through. Saying “I haven’t done that yet, but here’s how I’d approach it” shows potential and problem-solving, which interviewers value.

Is there a simple routine or habit to help me feel more confident every day?

You can try a daily reflection routine if you’re up for it. In the morning, write down one thing you want to focus on, such as, “Today, I’ll speak up in the stand-up meeting”. In the evening, write one win, no matter how small. You can also add a weekly check-in that includes reviewing what worked, what challenged you, and what you learned.