Confidence can get you in the door—skills just make sure you stay there.
Your twenties are this weird mix of ambition and confusion, where you’re expected to figure out your life with a resume that barely fills half a page. You’re constantly navigating new spaces—jobs, relationships, finances—and half the time you’re just winging it. But here’s the secret: that’s exactly what you’re supposed to do. “Fake it till you make it” isn’t about lying. It’s about showing up with energy before you have it all figured out.
Done right, it can be the tool that helps you build real confidence, not just pretend. In fact, faking it is often just you practicing future-you energy. You’re not being a fraud—you’re stepping into potential that hasn’t fully caught up yet. These 11 moments in your twenties are perfect for faking it—until, surprise, you actually do make it.
1. Walking into a job interview like you already belong there.
According to Susan Gygax at Spectacle Talent Partners, job interviews are nerve-racking, especially when your experience is thin and your confidence is thinner. But showing up with steady eye contact, clear answers, and a “you’d be lucky to have me” attitude changes the entire energy of the room. Even if your stomach is in knots.
Most interviewers aren’t looking for someone perfect—they’re looking for someone teachable, enthusiastic, and self-assured. Acting like you’re already part of the team helps them picture it, too. You don’t need to have all the answers—just enough boldness to fake your footing.
2. Networking events where everyone seems smarter than you.
Those rooms filled with suits, lingo, and overconfident energy? Yeah, most people are faking it too. Smiling, asking thoughtful questions, and acting like you belong helps you actually belong. Nobody’s checking your credentials at the door.
Conversations open up when you carry yourself like you’re worth talking to, as reported by Todd Nolan at Cheeky Scientist. You don’t need to impress—just connect. Eventually, those forced introductions feel natural, and the people who intimidated you start to seem a lot more human.
3. Taking on a leadership role you don’t totally feel ready for.
You got asked to lead a group project, mentor a new hire, or manage a small team—and your brain immediately screamed, “I have no idea what I’m doing.” Totally normal. Accept it anyway.
Stepping into leadership teaches you faster than watching from the sidelines ever could. People respect clarity and calm energy more than perfection. Pretend you’re the kind of leader who doesn’t overthink every decision—and eventually, you won’t be pretending, as stated by the authors at Tech Tello.
4. Giving a presentation when your voice is shaking.
The slide deck’s done, your talking points are solid, but your nerves are screaming. Here’s where you channel a little inner actor. Speak slower than you feel comfortable with, make eye contact with friendly faces, and stand tall.
No one knows how nervous you are unless you tell them. And as you get into it, something weird happens—you start to believe yourself. The act turns into confidence, one sentence at a time. By the end, you’re not faking anymore.
5. Asking for a raise like you actually believe you deserve it.
Even if you’re doubting yourself on the inside, walk into that conversation like you’ve done your research and know your worth. Because you have—and you do. Practice the pitch, keep your tone calm, and don’t trail off like you’re apologizing for asking.
Employers expect you to advocate for yourself. Acting confident doesn’t make you entitled—it makes you prepared. That moment might feel like a stretch, but you’ll leave stronger for having taken it.
6. Dressing like someone who has their life together.
Putting on a sharp outfit, even when you feel like a mess inside, can shift your whole mindset. You stand taller, make better eye contact, and carry yourself like someone with purpose.
It’s not about designer labels—it’s about signaling to yourself and others that you take yourself seriously. When you look the part, people treat you like you already are the part. And slowly, you start to catch up with that version of yourself.
7. Saying yes to an opportunity that scares you.
A speaking gig, a solo trip, a freelance job that feels a bit out of your league—it’s tempting to pass. But if you fake a yes long enough to get started, you’ll often find you’re more capable than you thought.
Courage doesn’t always show up first. Sometimes, pretending you’re not scared gives you just enough runway to grow into the moment. And by the end? You’re not pretending anymore. You’re just doing it.
8. Setting boundaries like you’ve been doing it forever.
Saying “no,” “I’m not comfortable with that,” or “I need some time to think” doesn’t always feel natural in your twenties—especially if you’re used to pleasing people. But fake the calm tone and firm delivery, and watch how quickly people start respecting your space.
You’re allowed to set limits, even if your voice shakes the first few times. Pretending to be the kind of person who knows what they want is how you start becoming that person. Boundaries build self-respect—and faking confidence gets you to the real thing faster.
9. Talking about your goals like they’re already in motion.
Even if you’re still figuring out your plan, talking about your ambitions as if they’re in progress gives them momentum. “I’m working on becoming a UX designer” hits different than “I’m thinking about maybe learning design.”
People take you more seriously when you speak with clarity and confidence—even if you’re still building the skills. It’s not lying. It’s claiming space in the world you’re growing into. And that subtle shift in language can change how others—and you—see your future.
10. Applying for jobs you’re not “100% qualified” for.
Job descriptions can be intimidating, but they’re often a wish list, not a checklist. If you hit 70–80% of the requirements, apply. Then pretend you’ve got the other 20% until you actually do. That’s how learning on the job works.
Hiring managers know no one shows up perfect. Confidence in your ability to learn and figure things out often counts more than technical knowledge. Send the resume. Write the cover letter. Fake the belief until you’re hired—and then prove them right.
11. Acting like you trust your own voice—even when it feels shaky.
In group settings, meetings, or even just friend debates, speaking up can feel like a risk. What if you’re wrong? What if they judge you? Do it anyway. Act like your opinion deserves space—even if you’re nervous saying it out loud.
That act of speaking creates real power. Over time, you won’t need to fake that self-assurance—it’ll just be there. And you’ll remember the moments you said something real, even when it felt hard. That’s how people start listening—for real.