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Bright Network supports students and graduates with the insights, advice and opportunities they need to succeed. It runs events with industry-leading employers and brings its members tailored job recommendations and expert support, all for free.

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Have you ever held back your question because you were worried it might sound stupid? Received a rejection that made you start doubting your abilities? Or found a job you'd love, but been too scared to apply?

These are signs you have low professional confidence - something lots of people grapple with early in their careers.

The good news? There are plenty of things you can start doing right now to build back your missing self-assurance. Let's take a look at what exactly professional confidence looks like, the impact it has and some strategies you can use to build yours.

What is professional confidence?

In simple terms, professional confidence is believing in your ability to succeed in your chosen career. It means you trust in your skills, and you value yourself in academic and work contexts.

Professional confidence shapes how you think about yourself, and it can also affect your wider sense of self-esteem.

This all sounds a little theoretical. So how do you know what professional confidence looks like in practice? Here's a checklist of three simple statements that show you have good professional confidence:

• You have trust in your skills and your abilities. You know you have the expertise you need to do your tasks well
• You believe that you can conduct yourself professionally. You're confident that you can communicate, collaborate and 'fit in' effectively with your colleagues
• You value your own perspective. You know you can offer insights and ideas that are worth hearing. You have a strong sense of your self-worth

Professional confidence is not always constant, however. There are plenty of factors that can knock your self-esteem in your career, from a job rejection to a piece of critical feedback. Knowing how to build yourself back up is key to long-term success.

Click on the source link below and discover more on this subject ...

• Why career confidence is important
• How to build confidence in your career

Sources

Bright Network
How to build professional confidence

By Bright Network
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