Feeling so small and inadequate. Major imposter syndrome

[Bluerain76]

I am feeling so low and scared and overwhelmed :(

I have been offered an amazing job with a great salary increase.

But I only have 3 years experience in the field and feel like an imposter. Maybe I should have stayed in my current job to gain more experience/confidence ?

I'm scares that the new job will be too difficult for me and I will get fired !

I did really well at the interview and was completely honest about what I know etc but o just can't shake this feeling

AIBU? Is this normal ?

YABU but unfortunately this feeling is normal! I have worked for TWELVE years in my current job and am starting a more senior role next month - and I still feel like I’m not going to be ready or good enough!

My thoughts are:

1. Three years is plenty of time to get good experience already. You know much more now than you did three years ago.

1. You were honest in the interview so the interviewers obviously think you are more than capable.

1. Even when you start the new job you don’t have to know everything. It’s better to ask questions, shadow someone more senior if you can and admit to the areas you need more experience in.

Congratulations on the new job, it sounds like a great move for you.

Make a list of all the things you can already do which ar eskills/experience they need

Make another list of skills you acquired in order to be competent at previous jobs. You can do the same in this one. You can ask for training, you can ask to shadow people or get a mentor. You will learn as you go.

Remind yourself that everyone is wandering around suffering from imposter syndrome at some point or another. Even the most confident, talented people.

Take a long perspective. We're all just a bunch of mammals milling around on this earth for a few decades before we become soil or ash again. (Sorry if that sounds bleak - I find it comforting.) We're really not that important nor is anything we do. So no need to fret. Even if it is a big mistake (very unlikely) it won't matter in a few months or years or decades or centuries.

What you've done is a sign you are ready. You applied, interviewed well and got selected. It's fine to take big leaps in salary and aim for a job that's slightly out of your comfort zone. That's how anyone develops.

If you are a feminist, it helps to know that men get promoted into much better jobs than women because they tend to over estimate their ability and we underestimate ours. Redress the balance.

I love this bunch of mammals comment! Am feeling low and found it comforting so thankyou x