If you thought the days of being judged in a job interview based on anything other than your ability to competently do the job at hand were long gone, we have bad news. Despite progress being made in terms of equality and accessibility to jobs over the past few decades, a new study conducted by the Co-op has revealed that social and economic disparities in the job market are still present and pervasive. 

It’ll probably come as no surprise to hear that it’s women who are disproportionately affected by this inequality. At a time when the cost of living is soaring, childcare is prohibitively expensive and the number of job opportunities are falling, it paints a bleak picture for women in the UK workplace. 

So, what can be done? We turned to the experts to discover what’s really going on in interview rooms across the country and ask how women can boost their confidence when it comes to searching for a new role. 

The feedback from the study is stark: 71% of women from a disadvantaged background are being excluded from career and educational opportunities because of their social status, while over a quarter (26%) of women from a lower socio-economic background feel pressure to hide or downplay their background in a job interview or in the workplace.

The wider implications of the findings are bleak, with claims that the UK’s systemic lack of social mobility is setting economic growth back by £19 billion every year. It’s clear that change needs to happen. 

Commenting on the study, Claire Costello, chief people and inclusion officer at Co-op, tells Stylist: “The stats reveal a harsh reality that businesses must answer to. The reluctancy of people, and women in particular, to embrace their background is likely down to the fear of feeling judged or perceived as ‘less able’ by people in more senior positions or from backgrounds that are seen as being higher up or ‘better off’ than their own.”

The study addresses the barriers women are facing with regard to climbing the socio-economic ladder. These are as follows:

1. Lack of access to financial support for further education and training (22%)
2. Lack in confidence or sense of belonging in certain work environments (19%)
3. Cost of relocating for better opportunities (15%)
4. Cost of accessing unpaid internships or work experience (15%)
5. Limited access to career advice or mentorship (12%)
6. Growing up in a region with fewer opportunities (11%)
7. Limited access to professional networks or contacts (8%)
8. Cost of appropriate clothing or resources for interviews or work events (8%)
9. Not being able to relate to the lived experiences of colleagues (eg holidays, hobbies like skiing) (7%)
10. Experiencing bias or discrimination in the recruitment process due to socioeconomic background (4%) 

It’s clear that systemic change is needed to address these issues, but alongside this, public perception needs to be challenged. 

“Working-class backgrounds are still unfairly linked to limited ambition or skill,” says Costello. “These social stereotypes, often intersecting with gender biases – whether conscious or unconscious – continue to impact hiring and promotion decisions as the job market becomes more competitive.”

One suggestion (supported by 56% of women from a lower socio-economic background) is to recognise the phrase ‘socioeconomic background’ as a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. This may help to challenge biases and widen talent pools, which in turn allows businesses to fill their skills gaps and improve performance. Improving access to opportunites could generate £6.8 billion in yearly tax revenues for the government from additional economic activity, which the study authors say would be enough to pay for over 170,000 teachers or fund 884,000 school places.

As Costello says: “When women feel safe to embrace their unique experiences, businesses thrive.”

Regardless of background, there are things we can all do to boost our self-confidence in the workplace. Research shows that the more confident we are, the greater our influence over our peers. Even if we don’t feel it, acting in a certain way might just encourage others to do the same, creating an upward spiral of recognition and achievement. Fake it till you make it never looked so good. 

1. Find your energy giver

“When you have those very normal moments of doubt, go and chat to that special person who tells you that you are brilliant,” says Costello. “There’s nothing like someone else boosting you to boost your confidence.”

2. Practise self-advocacy

“The voice inside our head can often tell us we’re not capable,” says Costello, “but if you express your ideas and communicate your ambitions more regularly, then that negative self-talk will gradually turn itself into confidence.”

3. File your wins

“Keep a digital or physical bank of work you’re proud of and any recognition you’ve received,” says Costello. “Revisiting this when you need a confidence boost can remind you of your capability – and reinforce your value in your place of work.”

4. Embrace Challenge

“Step out of your comfort zone by volunteering for things that push your limits,” Costello suggests. “Even though it feels completely unnatural, tackling a challenge will help your mental resilience and boost self-confidence over time. And next time it will be less scary.”

5. Lean into your strengths

“We tend to ponder on our weaknesses, which means we sometimes lose sight of what we’re good at,” says Costello. “But if you make an effort to acknowledge the success of your strengths, and show how your strengths can benefit others, then it will reinforce positive habits as well as your own inner confidence.”

Images: Getty