New job, redundancy and imposter syndrome

[Corporatepreggolady]

Hello everyone

I have just started a job after being made redundant. It's a 12 month contract, but there have been positive noises made about extending.

Problem is, to be extended I need to do a good job, and I feel I'm "getting in my own way" at the moment with nerves and chaoticness because my imposter syndrome is sooo bad.

Contributing to this are many factors:

• two years ago, I changed areas (a bit) from copywriting to comms. There are obviously a lot of overlaps, so it's not like I've become an accountant. But I regularly worry about being "caught out", that I should know something that I don't.
• two years ago, I also had a baby! And I feel my brain fundamentally works slower now.
• redundancy obviously fills you with self doubt
• I moved from London to the North West, and now feel slightly uneasy about the job opportunities available here.

The new job is demanding. I feel like I can easily do any of the tasks I need to, but ideally there would be three of me doing them if you see what I mean! Plus I'm meeting lots of seniors all the time and want to make a good impression.

Any advice?

Firstly, congratulations on your new job OP! You're not redundant, you're in gainful employment now, so jettison any lingering doubts about your worthiness. I'm going to challenge the very notion of imposter syndrome: stop reifying a concept that isn't even a 'syndrome' but which is a proxy for lack of confidence as well as a tendency to perfectionism. It's your nervousness showing here that needs addressing, not inexperience: you've mentioned the overlap in the two sectors and you weren't given the job out of any charitable sensibilities. There are always going to be gaps in anyone's knowledge; I always liked the definition that "intelligence is what you do when you don't know what to do". You come across as articulate and bright enough to deal. Regarding job opps: worry about that again when you're actively looking for a new position; that might be in 12 months' time or years down the line. I've linked below to an article that talks more about so-called imposter syndrome:

www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/tech-support/202406/imposter-syndrome-does-it-even-exist

Thank you @Gummibärchen for such a thoughtful response! It's really bolstered me. VERY interesting perspective on IS.

I also love the phrase "you weren't given the job on charitable sensibilities" and will carry it with me 😅

You're more than welcome, OP! Go forth and conquer!