Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Posted February 29th, 2016
Starting a new job can inspire a complex and conflicting range of emotions. On the one hand, you’re excited to be back at work and proud to have been singled out as a top candidate. On the other hand, you’re worried about meeting deadlines and quotas, fitting into the company culture, and living up to the expectations of those around you. The second instance is known as imposter syndrome – the fear of being grossly unqualified – and it’s a real problem, especially in no-nonsense STEM fields. If you’re new job has left you feeling anxious, use these strategies to overcome your imposter syndrome.
Be Realistic
It’s easy to feel inadequate when you hold yourself to impossible standards of perfection. But those standards are of course unrealistic and only force you to focus on your inadequacies. Remember that there is no such thing as the perfect professional.
Take Credit
You got this position for a reason. Clearly some aspect of your character and credentials stood out to the decision makers at your new company. Rather than obsessing over the qualities/skills that you lack, focus on how many of them you possess.
Create Value
Everyone struggles through the first days/weeks/months on a new job. It can be very frustrating and dispiriting to make mistakes, but as long as you are providing some kind of value you’re an asset to your team and employer. Find a place where you can make a difference and focus you efforts there until you become more well rounded.
Be Upfront
If you’re worried about a real or perceived shortcoming, sometimes the best thing to do is highlight it. Let your boss and colleagues know about your strengths and weaknesses. Accentuating one while working to improve the other produces better outcomes for everyone.
Accept Failure
Every successful person in human history has also been a failure at some point – often to a colossal degree. Remind yourself that just because you make mistakes doesn’t mean you’re an imposter. Over the long run those failures will make you better at what you do.
Find Solutions
Credentials are not static. If you think you’re missing a skill that you will need now or down the road, take steps to learn it on your own time. Just because you feel like an imposter now doesn’t mean you have to keep feeling that way in the future.
Open Up
Anxiety and insecurity are self-perpetuating problems. The longer you fail to address them the worse that they get. Often the solution is to simply open up to someone about your feelings. This could be a friend or family, or even a coworker you feel comfortable with.
An easy way to avoid imposter syndrome entirely is to connect with employers that are recruiting professionals just like you. Put your strengths and skills to better use by partnering with the staffing strategists at Bayside Solutions.
