Competence and confidence

Dunning–Kruger effect is the tendency of some people to appear more confident about their abilities than their competency supports.

Impostor syndrome is the tendency of some people to appear less confident about their abilities than their competency supports.

When I interview with a client or an employer, I often feel underconfident. It doesn't help that job descriptions read like Xmas wish lists.

Sometimes I think others approach interviews who, to me, seem to go the other way. "Yes, I can single-handedly turn your failing company around in a day or two. I also walk on water."

Here's the part I find paradoxical. If you read this and think to yourself, "Gosh, I hope I don't come across like some overconfident blowhard"--then you probably don't--just because you're able to ask the question.

If you read this and think to yourself, "Well, that's certainly not me. Why is it that people don't know their own worth? Why, just last week I single-handedly..."--well, all I can say is, keep your feet dry.