Dealing with imposter syndrome pretty bad lately.

Anonymous

October 11,2021 at 3:35PM UTC

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Dealing with imposter syndrome pretty bad lately. I started a new job last month in a new career field in STEM (data analysis.) I am a non binary person who was assigned female at birth who has traditionally worked in human resources which has been very female dominated and oriented towards social science (very comfortable for me) so this transition has been difficult on top of being very entry level in this career field. I am consistently worried that I'm not good enough or smart enough. I've been practicing stress management to the best of my ability but reaching out for support from anyone here who has had similar experiences with how to overcome this.

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Barb HansenOctober 11,2021 at 4:15PM UTC
Here's what I do when faced with the dreaded imposter syndrome monster voice inside my head.
1. I remember that I was hired by people who read my resume, interviewed me, and then sent me an offer letter. Those people knew what they wanted, and I filled that bill, so I trust their decision. I tell that voice to f' off.
2. I remind myself that hundreds of thousands of mediocre white men succeed daily, yet they have fewer skills than I do. If they can do it, so can I. I tell that voice to f' off.
Although that imposter monster still tries to start talking inside my head daily, I quickly tell him to f' off.
You are smart enough and you're more than good enough to do this job. Don't let that imposter monster rob your new company of the great work that you can do :)
AnonymousOctober 11,2021 at 9:10PM UTC
Not the OP, but this is really helpful advice. Thank you!
AnonymousOctober 11,2021 at 4:36PM UTC
Hi! I have imposter syndrome as well, and it's usually held me back. I'm reading the book "Think again" by Adam Grant and what he said really helped me. It's about re-thinking. Meaning that we learn by revising our opinions, constantly.
On imposter syndrome: you can turn this around and use it to your advantage. Take what you think you aren't qualified for, what you think you don't know, what you think you aren't good enough to do, and learn it or figure out who can help you. If you think you don't know enough about statistics, then find where to learn it. If you don't think you're good enough to lead a project, then talk with experienced project managers. If you think you don't have the right degree, that may mean that your learning curve may be a bit steeper, but you as long as you're willing to learn, you'll get there.
Another example: I have a friend, also going through a career change and she told me that her cover letter is way too long because she's trying to explain the non-direct relevance of her past jobs. When listening to her, what I heard is that she's putting assumptions on employers that they may not have. She's assuming they'll read her cv and think, "she does not qualify for the position;" whereas instead, they may think, "wow, her strengths and experiences in other fields really lend to our vision." By a lengthy explanation of what she's assuming, she immediately closes the door for herself.
Long-winded, but I hope you can perhaps see some concrete points. Good luck and keep your head up!
Andrea Macek, Career Change Coach for Professional WomenOctober 11,2021 at 5:33PM UTC
Congrats on your new job! A great way to help combat your imposter syndrome is to allow yourself the space and understanding that it's ok to not know everything or have all the answers, no job expects that of you. A more concrete tactic is to start a win journal; when we are experiencing something new, we forget that we are capable and tend to focus on our thoughts of fear and messing up rather than on focusing on everything we are doing well!
Here's how you can create a win today using these steps:
1. Open a Google Doc or grab a notebook:
2. Write down these things:
-The win. Write down as much detail as possible
-The hard, soft, or transferable skills you used to snag that win.
-Position that you’re in. i.e. student, internship, volunteer, full/part-time job.
-Date of the win
3. Track your wins one time a week. I suggest a Friday.
Feel free to also check out this podcast episode I did about imposter syndrome: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIlZVSi_3r4&t=334s&ab_channel=AYMConsulting
Feel free to message me if I can offer further support!
Lisa GibsonOctober 11,2021 at 6:03PM UTC
Congrats on your new job! The other posters have given some great advice but I'll just add in -- be kind to yourself. What you are feeling is normal. You can do this! They chose YOU for a reason.
AnonymousOctober 11,2021 at 9:11PM UTC
Does your organization have a mentoring program, or are there people you can reach out to? Often people like to pass their knowledge and will see you as a trustworthy self-starter.
Coach Nancie Kay ShumanOctober 12,2021 at 8:10AM UTC
All the time! But I remind myself that I have a 100% track record of getting through even the worst days, and that I am the only person on the planet who is good at being me, and for some reason the people who were doing the hiring chose me. So that is enough.
Now, I also have a bunch of spiritual stuff, including the poster my brother gave me when I was 12 which reminded me that God/dess doesn't make junk. And if I am good enough for Her, who am I to argue?
You've got this. And when you feel as though you don't, it's okay, we are happy to help you through those moments.
Jacquelyn LloydOctober 12,2021 at 12:34PM UTC
Our brains produce A LOT of thoughts - not all of which help us grow. Your brain is offering you these thoughts to keep you safe. Our brains like us to be routine and comfortable - but that's not helpful when trying to build a great life. The good news is you have to decide what is true. What if you just decided to think you were good enough and smart enough? Look for external evidence (which you will undoubtedly find) if you need to. Notice how your feelings and results change with this new thought versus the old one. I hope that helps! Take care, friend.
AnonymousOctober 12,2021 at 1:12PM UTC
I work in the data field.
Be kind to yourself. :)
From my experience, it is a steep learning curve at first. I’ve had many candid conversations with product owners, designers, analysts, scientists, actuaries and they feel similarly.
I now mentor others. I can’t give them confidence, but I can share my journey and hope that they see themselves in it and recognize it’s a momentary/temporary feeling.
I recommend finding a mentor who has walked this path.
Additionally, imposter feelings can be a good thing. It can also drive us to assess where we may have knowledge gaps and seek to fill them.
There are more courses now than there were even 3 months ago and 3 years ago it was a knowledge desert.
You can do this. :)
Sarah OpitzOctober 13,2021 at 11:02AM UTC
I agree with the other comments - they choose you for a reason because they see something in you. You're just as deserving as everyone else your organization.
What's exciting is that you're now surrounded by people who can challenge you, and you them, since your background and experience is in a different field. I think it's great that they hired someone who is not exactly like the rest.