To wonder if anyone else has suffered with imposter syndrome?!

[WinterNCs]

I’m relatively a young (29) female who has worked in a specialist (and male dominated) field for a number of years, receiving a couple of promotions along the way. I’ve now found myself securing a huge new opportunity with a new employer at a much more senior level. It’s an opportunity I didn’t think would ever be within my reach and certainly not so young.

Since accepting the job I’ve been crippled with self-doubt about my ability, nervous about being responsible other professionals who are twice my age, generally feeling like a fraud and as though I’m not worth even half of the salary they’ll be paying me. I worry that when I start, I’ll be ‘found out’ and they’ll realise I’m not even slightly as good as they must think I am. My anxiety levels have increased to the point where I’ve been tempted to pull out of the opportunity all together before I make a fool of myself and just stick to my current role, which offers no progression. My sensible head tells me I have to go for it.

I’m wondering how many other people suffer with a case of imposter syndrome in the corporate world and if so, how on earth do you get over it?! I guess it’d be nice to know I’m not alone!

I'm sorry I have no advice for you, but I am following this thread. I'm in a similar environment (male dominated), and I'm desperate to try for new jobs, but same as you, terrified I will mess up and continuously putting down my own years of experience :(

Definitely do not pull out of the job, and I hope someone on here has some advice on how to overcome the nerves.

All the time. It's part and parcel of being freelance. I can't believe people are still paying me to write stuff for them and haven't called me out yet for being crap at it.

It's very common.

Please don't pull out. I've never progressed in my job and feel very proud and happy for you both! Your interviewers will have seen something in you that they like and value so please take heart from that!

People I have seen progress have often taken up opportunities such as coaching or mentoring and said these are tremendously helpful in your situation. I guess it helps to have a sounding board without judgement. Or maybe a professional network or regular forum; again you can get ideas/test things out and gain confidence to take back into the workplace.

Good Luck

Lots and lots of people have this issue. I am a very experienced leadership coach, working mostly with individuals at the highest levels in big corporates (I used to be a senior exec in these sorts of businesses myself until I stepped away a few years ago and studied to become a coach).

I work with a lot of very successful individuals with imposter syndrome.

Go for the new role. Businesses don't take big gambles on talent, they will be confident you can do the job, and have upward potential too, or they wouldn't offer it to you.

When you start in the new role, maybe ask your HR partner if the company would invest in a coach to work with you - tell them you want someone to help you plan how to transition successfully into the new role. What you spend your time on with a coach is usually confidential, and you can ask them to help you work on your self-doubts. It's the sort of thing that coaching can really help!

All.the.time

I have it so bad sometimes I worry that I don't have it bad enough to have imposter syndrome

I’m starting a new job soon and am really nervous. I’m worried I’m not as capable as they think, despite the interview being a two hour interrogation (basically practical questions related to the role).

I totally have this however I have recently started in a women's mentoring programme.

I went to a talk a couple of weeks ago with senior women in the financial services industry.

One comment that stuck with me was that if you go into a job knowing how to do it all from day 1 you are in the wrong job - you should be in a state of mild panic for the first couple of months (or words to that effect)

Me too! It’s currently stopping me from going for a promotion I really want and think know I can do.

I’ve been a secondary school teacher for 17 years and still get imposter syndrome almost every day.

Totally. Sometimes I think I am living with the hidden "disability" of not being as smart as other people. Then I think well I did pass xxxxxx (an exam which would have weeded me out if I were significantly beliw average intelligence). 🤔😢

It’s a very common feeling, I have it too. The best bit of advice that my (female) boss gave me was “everyone is faking it to some extent, some are just better at covering it up than others”.

It doesn’t stop me feeling like an imposter but makes me feel better that most other people feel the same way about themselves..

I think just about all professional women in male-dominated environments have this. It's pretty much a right of passage. As someone else pointed out, they wouldn't be investing in you if they didn't think you were a safe pair of hands.

I think asking for a coach or mentor is a good bit of advice.

The only other piece of advice I would give you is to allow yourself a bit of time to fail when you're learning the ropes. Obviously you are going to be under pressure and will have to demonstrate your competence. But that doesn't mean you won't fuck up occasionally as you learn the new role and that won't be held against you. Wise heads will realise you are learning and you will have a period of grace. Work hard and be focused but don't kill yourself if you make mistakes.

I think that the important thing to remember is that EVERYONE feels like this, to a greater or lesser degree at some point in their life.
You have taken a big step up and you don't know, you can't know, if you are equal to it.
Only one way to find out, though.
At times like this, I remind myself that if I don't try I will have failed anyway, so I might as well give it a go.
And if I make a complete arse of myself, eventually, when I have got over the mortification, it will make for a really funny after dinner story
So, win win

Yep I work in a company notorious for it and my boss gives a lot of good (But verrry direct) feedback.

I'm struggling badly

Yes all day everyday. Continuing to push through but it is so hard! Congratulations, I can promise you WILL deserve it x

I suffer from it all the time. I don't think I'll ever really feel "grown up" - I have GPs, various consultants etc phoning ME for advice and all the while I'll be thinking "what the hell... how do they trust me to have this level of responsibility?!" - I don't think it will ever really sink in. I take comfort in knowing that most people feel like that? I think deep down we're all winging it 😂

Do Not back out of the new job!
It’s really common, I constantly compare myself to my colleagues and tell myself how they’re better at the role than me, whilst ignoring all the things I’m doing well.

Going through it as we speak. In new role, in 4th week. No clue what I’m doing. People ask my advice and I’m making it up as I go along.
At some point they will find out that I haven’t a breeze.

Yes hugely. I literally feel sometimes like I’ve pulled off a big con trick and I’ll be found out. It’s really annoying!

I had this! Surprisingly common and sometimes not such a bad thing, keeps you on your toes re keeping up with any changes/advances/professional articles etc. Better than being a blagger that really doesn't know what they're doing and doesn't care. Chin up I'm sure you are more than suitable for the position.

That’s exactly how I feel @RiddleyW !! It’s like I’m staring in Leonardo DiCaprio’s film ‘Catch Me If You Can’ every day of my working life!

And thank you everyone. It’s reassuring to know I’m not alone at least. Will definitely have to look in to coaching.

I was recommended a book about this... Hold on and I'll find the name of it...

Here it is