New job offered - but I'm not good enough

[CatInBed]

Please help. My happiness has quickly turned to anxiety, and I am at a loss at what to do.

I've been offered a new job, and resigned from my old one. I'm not starting for another month, but looking at the job description (which wasn't supplied before offer), I feel completely out of my depth. There are things on there I haven't ever done, and others I haven't done for over a year since leaving a previous job. I worry my skills will be out of date, and they'll realise I'm incompetent and sack me.

I didn't lie in my interview, but I didn't elaborate that it has been a year since I've done this work (they didn't ask). I'm pretty sure they think my current job includes these responsibilities.

I don't think I'll have anyone to train me either, which worries me. They expect me to come in as an expert.

I don't know what to do, I feel I'm making a fool of myself and worrying myself sick.

I can still remember things I learnt at school, I think you are being a little irrational. You didn’t lie. They know what they want. Are you doubting their judgement as well as your own?

Practically Reflect on the stuff you feel is out of date. Have a google on new stuff. ENjoy the new job.

Imposter Syndrome. Don't let it get you. Remember they offered you the job. You can do this!

Given that you have already resigned, seems to make sense to try it?

Also, a year is what most people on my firm take as maternity leave, we all seem to cope on return.

Hey OP,

Couldn't read this and not comment.

Sorry to eat this is causing you so much worry. All I can really say is that I think you will remember more of your previous skills than you think. As for the new elements on the job description, just try to be as honest as possible when it comes to doing them, and hopefully they will be able to put measures in place to support you. Will you have a team you could rely on for support?

I got a new job on Friday (albeit for a company I've worked for for many years) but it's a huge step up. After my initial excitement on Friday I've too have been worrying myself sick that I won't be good enough to do the job!

If the company you are joining are worth being a part of, they should be prepared for these kinds of margins when hiring.

OP, they wouldn't have offered you the job if they didn't think you were capable. Perhaps you're underestimating your own ability?

What are the skills that you don't think you have? Can you find a way of learning/practising them before you start? As long as you were honest throughout the recruitment process, you shouldn't have anything to fear!

It will come back to you - you'll need to be trained in their way of doing things and if there is no one there who can train you well then you wing it! They wont know because you are the "expert". Seriously- go for it!!

Congratulations

Imposter syndrome.

You can do it!

Firstly, congratulations on the new job!

You got the job because the company think you're the right fit, both for the job itself and the team that you'll be joining.

You're more than likely suffering from imposter syndrome; you haven't lied, you haven't obfuscated, you're more than good enough for this job, you're struggling to believe it.

Like a PP said, do a bit of research on aspects of the role you're maybe not sure about, and the processes you think might have changed. This should help calm any nerves and make you feel a little more prepared.

You can absolutely do this job - just think through how you're feeling rationally and prepare mentally for any imposter syndrome feelings you may get when you initially start.

Be kind to yourself and just take each day at a time. The right “can do / can learn” attitude is far more important- women in particular are crap at imposter syndrome. It takes 3mths to not feel scared every day, then 3mths to feel bit more ok, a year to feel like your getting it I tend to think. Your got this. I agree “what does success look like” at 1 month, 3months etc objectives with my mgrs as I tend to think I need to do more than all the time and this helps me self-manage my expectations and understand theirs.

When I read the headline I thought 'is that you Boris?'... then read and thought imposter syndrome. You need to be kind to yourself for the next 6 months or so and just do your best. I bet you will be fine. Also... in my experience job descriptions rarely match the actual job!

Everything the PPs have said.

You got the job because the company liked what they read in your application form and saw at the interview. You’ll do just fine! Sure, it’ll all be new at the start, but you’ll pick things up - don’t be afraid to say you’re not sure how to deal with a given situation and ask for help, even if it’s from more junior colleagues.

Once you’ve been in for a while and have the lay of the land, you’ll be able to select training for any gaps in skill that you have.

I think it’s only natural to be anxious about a new job. Hopefully you’ll be there for two week and wonder why you were worried in the first place!

Good luck.

Remember the saying that men apply for jobs they can only do half of, women wait til they can evidence the whole job description. And the role spec is a wishlist - if I read my own I'm not sure I'd feel I could do it.
Now you've resigned, how can you refresh your memory of the things you have done and learned - if you were to think back to what happened and give advice to a colleague about how to approach/handle a similar situation what would you say to them?
And make an onboarding plan for yourself for the new job - what do you want to find out in the first week, 2, 3? How will you get to a plan for what you want to achieve in the first 3 months?