Can I actually do this?

[Unicornnohorn]

I’ve never really pushed myself in work, never really had that much confidence in myself, took supporting roles but often found myself bored and frustrated. So a month or so ago, I took a punt and applied for a more snr job. Never thought I’d get it but turns out a did. 3 stage interview and somehow I got it.

it’s a 20k pay rise. Like that’s crazy. I start in a few weeks and im getting a pretty serious case of imposter syndrome. Am I just a class a blagger? Am I being so foolish to accept the role, who do I think I am? I’m worried I can’t rise to the occasion and I’ll mess up

I voted YABU because you are capable of this- you wouldn’t have been successful in your application and interview process if you hadn’t shown that you had the capability. Don’t let the pay increase scare you into thinking you can’t do it or you’re not worthy. I’m sure the reason you were bored and frustrated previously is because you are capable of bigger things. Go for it, I’m sure you will surprise yourself at how well you do and feel fulfilled in your new job.

You got the job, you're capable. I went from p/t on 36 to f/t on 76, the imposter syndrome was real. Congratulations!

You can absolutely do it. You've got the job, and sometimes that's the hard part - congratulations, and they believe you can do it, so you should also.
I took a massive step up (a long time ago now) with a big salary increase, and I was privately a bit overcome on the first day at my new status. Was introduced to my secretary who would look after me (that took a while to get used to), and shown to my own office, given the things they assumed I would need - Dictaphone being one (shows how long ago it is). I was lucky, I got a manager, an older guy, who lived in a completely different city but it was important to him that I succeeded, and he became a mentor as much as a manager. The first year was quite hard, but I was prepared to put the hours in to learn the ropes, and slowly people started to respect and trust me, but it took at least a year. My advice would be

• Be confident, talk to many, trust few, understand the politics
• Work hard, learn (especially the bloody acronyms)
• Don't be a Knight on a White Charger - "this is all shit, why are we doing this, I am going to change the world". You can do that in Year 2.
• Find a friend, mentor, someone you can ask "wtf does wtf mean"
• Keep professional distance, but without being cold. Over time your colleagues will become friends, but take your time

Best of luck, you really are not the imposter ! Everyone feels this a bit when starting a new job that is a step up. xx

you’ve got this 💪. congrats

I think it would be a far worse sign if you weren't worried about it. It's normal to have doubts about a new job - it's just fear of the unknown. It's nerves that keeps us on our toes and makes sure we're really prepared, as it makes us dot the Is and cross the Ts. As everyone says, you were bored and you got through three interviews - you can do this. Yes, it's scary, and there will be settling in time where you feel you don't know what you're doing, but a lot of that will be down to learning new internal processes and getting access sorted and so on, rather than your actual abilities, and it will pass as you settle in. Good luck! (Even though you don't need it!)

You learn the job by doing the job. Be both humble and confident. Those people that are now your subordinates can possess a wealth of knowledge. Let them know you value their experience. Ask them if they've had a good idea shot down by a supervisor that thought they always knew better. Give new things a try and always credit the source of the inspiration. Build something slowly and surely. Be a good human and success will find you.

Congrats!! This in inspiring for me personally. Covid nearly took me under, still trying to recover 3 years later. I used to be a go-getter and now my self confidence is destroyed. I was about to move into a new career when it happened, making 80k+ more. Now I'm scared to even try. I love hearing stories like this because I feel like I can do it too.

Just look up imposter syndrome on youtube or podcasts. I have found them very helpful on how to beat it. Everyone deals with it! And yes there's always mistakes but that's how you learn. It might be shaky at first but you'll be standing taller soon.