Opportunities Don’t Wait: Why You Should Fake It Till You Make It

Imagine spotting your dream job. You’re thrilled! You know you have the skills, the experience, and the drive. Your CV is polished to perfection, tailored to highlight every achievement. You’ve researched the company inside and out and rehearsed answers in your head. You’ve even visualized yourself walking into the interview feeling confident and ready to impress.

Then, the day before the interview, you get the email:
It will be in English.

What do you do?
A. Nothing changes. I’m still prepared, excited, and unstoppable.
B. Panic mode! What will I say? How will I say it?
C. I won’t go.

If you picked A, congrats! You’re a confident speaker and probably don’t need this blog.

If you’re leaning toward B or C, you’re not alone. Many professionals freeze at big moments in English.

This invisible barrier of uncertainty doesn’t show up on your CV, but it can quietly block your opportunities. You may have hesitated on a promotion, passed up an opportunity, or delayed reaching out to a potential client simply because you didn’t feel ready. Yet.

The truth is, opportunities don’t wait for you to feel perfectly prepared. And if you’re a perfectionist, “feeling ready” might take longer than you can afford. That’s why sometimes the best approach is to fake it till you make it.

So you’re saying I should lie?

“Fake it till you make it” doesn’t mean lying, pretending to know everything, or bluffing your way through. It simply means showing up with confidence and professionalism, even when you don’t feel completely ready, so you give yourself the chance to grow into that confidence.

It’s about acting in ways that make you look capable, even if you don’t feel 100% there.

How does this work?

1. Prepare key phrases in advance

Have a few ready-to-use expressions that help you answer tricky questions or handle pauses. For example: “That’s an interesting point, let me think for a moment,” or “Here’s one approach that has worked before…” These give you breathing room without leaving silence.

2. Speak slowly and deliberately

Nerves often make us rush, which can make us sound less confident. Slow down your pace, pause when needed, and pronounce your words carefully. This not only makes you sound more confident but also gives your brain a moment to catch up.

3. Focus on the other person, not yourself

When you’re nervous, it’s natural to plan what you’re going to say and search for words in your head before speaking. But this can make you seem distracted. Instead, pay attention to the other person: listen, respond, and show interest. You’ll appear more engaged and confident.

4. Have a couple of short stories ready

Instead of listing all your skills, prepare two or three brief stories that show your abilities in action. Describe a project you led, a problem you solved, or a time you successfully handled a challenge. Stories make your experience tangible, memorable, and natural to share, without feeling like bragging.

5. Rephrase when you get stuck

If the perfect word or phrase doesn’t come to you, don’t freeze. Find another way to say it. For example, if “negotiate” slips your mind, you can say “reach an agreement” instead. Keeping the conversation flowing matters more than perfect wording.

6. Don’t overthink grammar

A job interview or client meeting is not the time to worry about whether it’s “sank” or “sunk.” Focus on being understood. If the person you’re speaking with shows no confusion, keep going. Overthinking only slows you down.

7. Break the ice with questions

Asking a thoughtful question at the start of a conversation gives you a moment to gather your thoughts and shifts the focus from your nerves to genuine engagement. It also shows curiosity and interest, which always makes a positive impression.

8. Use your preparation as your anchor

Remind yourself of what you do know (the research, the skills, the experience) and use that as a foundation for your responses. Confidence comes from acting on what you can control, not worrying about what might go wrong.

Conclusion

The interesting thing about fake it till you make it is that at first, it does feel uncomfortable. You’ll notice your nerves, and it might feel awkward. That’s completely normal. But the more you put these strategies into action, the more you practice, and the more you try, the more “faking it” actually becomes “making it.” Confidence grows naturally from action.

So put these strategies into action. Step up, try, and keep going. When that perfect opportunity comes along, you’ll be ready to say, “I’m in!” (even if you’re still a little nervous).