Overcoming impostor syndrome: Building confidence in your career
At EY, shaping the future with confidence is not just a slogan: it is a guiding principle. However, confidence doesn’t always come naturally, and learning how to build it is often an essential part of professional growth. Päivi Pakarinen, Associate Partner at EY-Parthenon, and Ida Lindström, Manager in Corporate Finance at EY-Parthenon, shared their reflections on impostor syndrome, professional growth, and what it takes to build a career with confidence.
Recognising the signs
Impostor syndrome often reveals itself in subtle ways: attributing achievements to luck rather than skill, hesitating to share ideas, or holding back from opportunities out of fear of not being good enough. It is less about actual competence and more about the gap between how we perceive ourselves and how others see us.
Ida Lindström joined EY in 2021 and works as a Manager in the Corporate Finance team with a focus on energy transition. With an academic background in finance from Rotterdam School of Management (Erasmus University), she has quickly taken on responsibilities in complex transaction projects.
The feeling is particularly common in the early stages of working life, when the transition from studies to professional settings can feel overwhelming. Moving into a first job often means facing situations where you lack practical experience, even though you have the knowledge to contribute. But impostor feelings are not confined to the start of a career. They can return later, for example, when taking on greater responsibilities, stepping into new environments, or assuming visible leadership roles. Recognising these patterns at different stages is the first step to ensuring they do not limit your growth.
"Sometimes I catch myself thinking that a success was just luck. I have to remind myself that it’s the result of hard work and expertise." - Päivi Pakarinen
Visibility and different perspectives
In male-dominated environments, impostor feelings can be magnified. Being the only woman in the room can be intimidating, especially when informal conversations create a sense of exclusion. At the same time, standing out can also make you more visible. People tend to remember those who bring a different perspective, whether due to their gender, background, or simply a distinct way of approaching challenges. That visibility can feel daunting, but it also provides an opportunity to make a lasting impression.
Differences also appear in the way confidence is expressed. Men are more inclined to approach situations with the assumption that they belong and are capable, projecting confidence from within. Women, by contrast, may look for external validation before speaking up or putting themselves forward. This reliance on encouragement from others makes networks, mentors, and role models especially important. Having someone affirm your potential doesn’t just build morale: it can be the push that leads you to take on opportunities you might otherwise hesitate to pursue.
With over 20 years at EY, Päivi Pakarinen has built her career across several roles in transaction services and quality and risk management. She holds degrees in both engineering and economics, having graduated from the Helsinki University of Technology and the Helsinki School of Economics and Business Administration (now part of Aalto University).
Building confidence over time
Confidence is not innate; it is built over time through experience and deliberate choices. One important step is to make achievements visible, not only the big wins, but also the smaller contributions that often go unnoticed. By consistently acknowledging these efforts and giving yourself credit, you reinforce your own sense of capability and ensure that others see the full picture of what you bring to the table.
“Building confidence is intentional. It doesn’t always come naturally.” - Ida Lindström
Another step is to intentionally push beyond your comfort zone: taking on leadership roles, speaking in rooms where you feel underqualified, or stepping into challenges that initially feel intimidating. Each time you do, you prove to yourself that you are capable, even before you fully feel it yourself.
This process requires self-awareness, as well as persistence. By reframing self-doubt as a signal to grow rather than a reason to hold back, you cultivate confidence that deepens and lasts.
Three Key Takeaways from EY-Parthenon for Building Confidence
Step outside your comfort zone intentionally. Growth happens when you dare to take on new challenges.
Recognize and celebrate your own achievements. Don’t downplay your contributions.
Build meaningful connections. Networks provide support, encouragement, and advocacy.
