What to Do if You Have Imposter Syndrome About a New Role
Pop the champagne! You did it! You landed the new role, and you’re so excited to get started. It’s an awesome company, a great job, and you’re feeling incredibly lucky. …But then, after the dust has settled on celebratory drinks and you begin to prep for your first day, you feel it. The nerves settle in, the fear bubbles up in your stomach, and suddenly, a thought flashes into your mind…“can I really handle this?!”
Imposter syndrome has reared its ugly head again.
Imposter syndrome, where your fears begin to convince you that you’re a fraud who isn’t capable of whatever job or task you’re working on, is common in women. And it’s especially common in high achievers! It’s a bit funny, to be honest, because these overachievers are ultra-capable and are probably the people who should be doubting their abilities the least, and yet I see it all the time. Top performers can be incredibly insecure and riddled with self-doubt.
As a result, it’s no surprise that imposter syndrome is particularly rampant in high achievers who have landed a new job. Even if it’s a great job and even if they have no “proof” that they’re incapable, they secretly worry that they’re not cut out for the occasion.
Why this happens
There are probably a lot of factors behind this, but one of the biggest issues I see with high achievers in particular is fear of being a “newbie” at work. I’ve written blogs about it before, but there are typically 2 main things behind it:
These high achievers have wrapped a lot of their identity into being the “top performer” and expert at work. The idea of starting fresh and needing to ask for support feels like it calls that entire image into question. Oh no!
They feel an overwhelming need to “prove” themselves and their worth at their role.
It’s a tough combination.
So, what should you do if you’re feeling imposter syndrome in a new role?
While imposter syndrome can be a tricky beast to tame, here are a few things that have really helped me over the years:
Expecting the learning curve
Learning curves stink, there’s no doubt about that! That said, while they’re an unfortunate part of the process, they are indeed part of the process. If you want to learn and grow and develop in your career, they’re a necessity. With that in mind, I always try to brace myself for a learning curve. If I can see them and accept them without judgment, it typically makes the process way easier. I think to myself, “Yuck…OK, this feels uncomfortable, but it’s part of growth. It won’t feel like this forever!”
Embracing the learning curve as a requirement and acknowledging how uncomfortable it feels is really beneficial.Doing the inner work to separate my worth from my work
Beyond expecting the curve, one of the most crucial elements to this process, in my opinion, is the deeper self-work. Digging into why you feel such a need to prove yourself in your career. Why do you need so much affirmation that you’re “the best of the best” before you can truly feel confident? Why are you looking for people outside of yourself to provide your confidence (with their praise), versus instilling it on your own? These are uncomfortable questions, but crucial ones for any praise-seeking high achiever.Reminding myself that I’m not that sneaky
When I’m feeling imposter syndrome in my career, one of my favorite things to tell myself is, “I’m not THAT sneaky!”. I can barely tell a white lie to save my skin. Why would I think I could pull off a high-level fraud like convincing an entire interview panel to like me and give me an opportunity at a new job? Truthfully, I’m not that skilled at deception.
While this is a bit of a silly reminder, for me it helps a lot. Realizing that I’m not an evil mastermind who could land a role solely out of manipulation and I probably have some skills that have gotten me to my current place is an amazing reframe.
So, what do you think? Do you like those reminders? Let me know in the comments if one in particular stood out to you!
If you’re currently going through some struggles with imposter syndrome, especially if you’re about to step into a new role, I get it. Learning is hard and change is uncomfortable. But rest assured that they’re also essential elements of growth, and are the best things to move you forward in your career. So ride it out, friend!
Best of luck to you!
Don’t worry, you’ve totally got this.
P.S. Have a friend who struggles with imposter syndrome too? Send this their way!