Introvert: words of wisdom for new job?

[heather1013]

I am very much a natural introvert. I hate big meetings (absolutely fine 1-1 or 1-2 etc), hate work socials, hate doing presentations - basically hate all those sorts of things. I also hate that I am like this and wish I wasn't, but it's how my brain is wired unfortunately.

I'm not shy but I am lacking in confidence and always second guess myself. I get major imposter syndrome and lack confidence in my abilities, even though inside I know that I am 110% capable. I'm skilled and great at my job, always get on well with my colleagues and managers. It is just my confidence that holds me back.

I'm aware of all of this and I know that this has always held me back in my career. My peers are moving up the ladder and I've stayed the same for a long time. I've always chosen comfort over pushing myself because it has been the easier option. But it is making me miserable and my heart sinks every time I see a peer's Linkedin update with a move up because I'm so fed up of holding myself back.

Next week I start a new job that I am desperately happy about. It's a move up and I know it's going to challenge me and push me out of my comfort zone big time. I have the opportunity to really show off my skills and start to move up the ladder.

I want to start this new role completely afresh and try so hard to not let my brain sabotage it for me. I want to be confident and proactive and not naturally fade into the background, which is the easiest option for me.

So please, other introverts/those lacking in confidence at work, can you give me your tips on how to 'fake it til you make it' and push through the self doubt?

i think part of it is working to your strengths and not trying to be everything to everybody. Knowing what your ‘brand’ is (I hate that way of phrasing it but can’t think of a better way) and making that shine ie being really funny/involved/precise on written informal comms instead of big nights out or being the go to person for creating the most interesting pack for the presentation or inviting someone different to walk down to get takeout coffee every week so it’s short and informal.

But I’d keep a list of what you are worried about or feel lacking in and keep adding in ANY evidence of when you’ve done something towards it or challenging- for your next job this can be the foundation of the ‘give me an example of when you’ questions and it’s easy to forget or dismiss this stuff unless you write it down each week. When you look back on it written down it’s much harder to call yourself an imposter.

well done on the new job!

'All depends on how long training is'?

A company previously that was all about a popularity contest gave three weeks with probably up to two hours per day spent with silly ice breakers (hey it was a good gig for trainers not doing anything and other staff members who thought good to no work for some hours) and which really none of the managers probably remembered answers too, no, in fact, they demanded this via email to publish in the staff newsletter. So much for managers remembering.

Another service has just 48 hours to train and so I sincerely hope it doesn't contain silly over-the-top icebreakers. You know the stuff that has you not wanting to wake up each day.