Anyone with Imposter Syndrome? Please pull up a chair

[TallulahBetty]

This is ridiculous, I know I deserve it, but please talk to me about imposter syndrome.

Left a job of 15 years last year, top salary just £21k, despite working my arse off.

Got headhunted (LOL) into a new role, started at £21k, well in a year I've managed to get promoted and hit/exceed the job role so I'm now on £29k.

Disclaimer: I know plenty will think this is still peanuts, but to me, this is almost unbelievable. I spent 15 years 'just missing out' on roles I applied for, and now suddenly, I am being believed in, rewarded fairly, not micro-managed, but actually being trusted to do my job.

I should be thrilled, but I'm in a total crisis of confidence. I CAN do this role, I AM doing it, and getting great results. So why do I have terrible imposter syndrome? Please help me get past this!!

Hopeful bump

Congratulations on the new job!!

You're not alone! I know so many women, including me, like this. I have no idea where it comes from. Similarly to you, I "sat" in the same job for 15 years. I could do it well, I was well respected for it, it fitted with a young family, but it wasn't that well paid, and I'd grown out of it.

About 2 years ago I decide I was going to seriously start applying for more senior jobs; took a few interviews but got one. Every single interview taught me something about myself, my skills, interview technique and built my confidence. Less than a year later, my dream job came up, and I applied for it, and got it too. 3 months down the line I still can't quite believe it! But it's a massive ego boost being senior to my old boss !

It sounds massively trite, and when it was originally suggested to me I internally rolled my eyes hard, BUT writing down what you’ve achieved, each day or so, actually does help. If you’re anything like me, any good stuff you do is instantly forgotten about (anything wrong is burned into my brain) so actively keeping note of successes big and small really helps to break down that belief you have that you’re not good enough/not capable/going to make a mess of it.

It’s not easy to crack though. There’s always a part of me that’s waiting for someone to point out I don’t know what i’m doing.

Thank you so much, both. I will take on board what you've both said, some great ideas.

I get tis thing where if I know the answer to something, I assume it must be wrong! Or I think god they're paying me all this money... what if they find out I can't do it? Even though I am doing it day in day out.... argggggh!