Imposter syndrome

[londonba]

I see this term used a lot and don’t really get it. I have had people approach me and even suggest I may have imposter syndrome weirdly! But where do you go from there?

I just started a £40k per year role; there’s stigma I’m facing from people debating if I’m competent from by my appearance as I’m mid-20s. I do think I could improve my confidence more but ultimately I’m still being judged with suspicion so it seems like a cycle.

Then you need to work harder to prove you are capable.

I’ve been working hard enough that my manager and their manager have given me good feedback and are supportive. But I’m still learning a new role. It’s a weird set up as my team are based across the UK, none work near me so all interactions are remote.

If others are questioning your competency it's not Imposter Syndrome. Imposter Syndrome is when you question yourself.

Yes I suppose so. But their assumptions about me are what’s throwing me off I suppose. I have the skills and experience for the role but some are assuming I don’t because of my age. The people who mentioned imposter syndrome to me are my mentors, not people I work with

Imposter syndrome is when you constantly question and second guess yourself. It’s a joy sucking self imposed constant state of anxiety.

If other people are questioning your capabilities then you need to manage that in a calm, professional way and prove that you are indeed capable.
There’s a fine line here though, identifying bullying behaviour, rudeness (to you) based on appearance. That’s not ok.
Keep a close eye on that shit.

It’s somewhat discreet eg discussing my experience behind my back, asking me multiple times in the same conversation what I did before this role, assumptions that I’ll be an easy target to approve anything (I’ve had to reject a few frivolous expenses claims). No one has been outright rude but some far been standoffish

I am thinking that it is your age OP, it will be assumed that age=experience so you will just have to give it time to show that you are more than capable of doing the role.

Could you ask your bosses /mentors to address this is the workforce - it's their job to ensure you are not bullied. Perhaps there needs to be whole team training.

You could address it directly in conversation if it seems appropriate, call them out on it. if someone asks a question you could say "thank you for asking that. I know lots of people are concerned about my age and ability to do the job but I want to reassure you that I have the requisite skills and experience for my role, not to mention the ability to work hard and learn. I hope this puts your mind at rest and I hope we don't need to discuss it again"

You could address it indirectly during informal chats you could bring up as a subject of conversation how "at your previous roles" you found people underestimated you because you appear young and this made you uncomfortable, but eventually people realised you were competent.

I’m almost annoyed at my manager for hiring me, he interviewed me and didn’t have a problem with my experience. But the first 1-1 conversation in the role he said I’d get people being funny with me. He hasn’t done anything to prevent that, more just said it will happen and ignore it.