#ImpostorSyndrome #CareerAnxiety #SelfDoubt #JobOfferStress #FeelingIncompetent
Are you currently facing a similar dilemma in your career? Do you find yourself questioning your worthiness for a big promotion or job offer due to past experiences of feeling incompetent and undervalued? You are not alone. Many individuals struggle with impostor syndrome, self-doubt, and anxiety when presented with new opportunities after enduring soul-crushing work environments.
The last few years have been a rollercoaster for me. Working in a toxic environment where I was paid more than my peers, yet subjected to bullying and ostracization, took a toll on my confidence and self-esteem. Eventually, I had to make the tough decision to resign in the face of unethical practices and a lack of support from HR.
After taking time to heal and seeking therapy, I began the job search process feeling like a shadow of my former self. Despite receiving positive feedback on my resume and being offered senior positions with significant growth potential, I found myself plagued by feelings of unworthiness and fear of being exposed as an impostor.
If you resonate with my story and are struggling with similar doubts and anxieties, here are some practical strategies to help you navigate this challenging phase:
1. Acknowledge Your Achievements:
– Start by recognizing and celebrating your accomplishments and the skills that have brought you to this point in your career.
– Make a list of your strengths, experiences, and positive feedback received from past employers or colleagues to boost your confidence.
2. Challenge Negative Thoughts:
– Combat imposter syndrome by questioning the validity of your self-doubt and reframing negative beliefs about your abilities.
– Practice positive self-talk and remind yourself of times when you have succeeded in challenging situations.
3. Seek Support and Guidance:
– Share your concerns with a trusted friend, mentor, or therapist who can provide perspective and encouragement.
– Surround yourself with a supportive network of individuals who believe in your potential and can offer valuable advice.
4. Embrace Growth and Learning:
– Approach the new opportunity as a chance to learn and grow, rather than as a test of your worthiness.
– Be open to acquiring new skills, seeking feedback, and accepting that making mistakes is a natural part of the growth process.
Remember, it’s okay to feel uncertain and overwhelmed when faced with a major career decision. You deserve to pursue opportunities that align with your values and aspirations, regardless of past challenges. Take a deep breath, trust in your abilities, and know that you are capable of rising above your doubts and fears.
If you’re still hesitant about accepting the offer, take the time to reflect on what truly matters to you and seek clarity on your career goals. Ultimately, the decision is yours to make, and you have the power to shape your future in a way that brings fulfillment and success.
You are worthy, you are capable, and you are deserving of all the opportunities that come your way. Embrace the challenges, believe in yourself, and step into the next chapter of your career with confidence and resilience. You’ve got this! 💪🌟#BelieveInYourself #CareerConfidence #YouAreWorthy
Just give it your best, take time as much as you can to understand the problems on the job, and hopefully management will help the learning curve. Don’t think I can’t do this; think, how can this be done? Good luck!
Just do it. Fr… like “fake until you make it”. You are capable of doing it, if your not, you FOR SURE can learn and adept. DO NOT PASS on good chances in your life.
Didn’t bother reading the post,,,
But my advice is to get counseling immediately.. and don’t go off your medication again
Go for it! Just do it. Don’t overthink it. They offered you the job bc they see you as a competent person. Don’t let your insecurities and “your imposter syndrome” take the best of you.
What you’re experiencing is classic imposter syndrome. It’s natural to be nervous about a new job, no matter what it is, and the only people who don’t experience imposter syndrome are the ones who probably should.
Every job or promotion I’ve gotten, I’ve felt like I don’t belong, or that someone will figure out that I don’t know what I’m doing. The longer I’ve been in the workforce, the more I realize that no one really knows what they’re doing.
As others have suggested, if the only thing preventing you from taking the job is the belief that you don’t deserve it, take the job and be kinder to yourself. During the interview process, it’s your job to determine if *you* think the job is a good fit as much as it is the company’s responsibility to determine if you’re a good fit. As long as you didn’t lie on your resume or during the interview process, you should trust that the company is doing their best in assessing your fit.
Also, don’t immediately think that if you’re not a perfect fit, that you can’t become one. Companies are much more inclined to invest in a new hire than to cut them loose and start over. Even for people with industry experience, so much of a job is on-the-job training and company processes/procedures. You’ll get there sooner than you think.
Absolute worst-case-scenario, you *aren’t* a good fit or *it’s* not a good fit for you, and you go your separate ways. You’ll be no worse off or better off than you are now.
You get over it by failing forward and take it one day at a time.
Here because I’m in a similar position. I haven’t recieved an offer yet, but my experiences and ptsd from my old job is holding me back and has made my imposter syndrome overwhelming.
Accept, and take it to you make it.
I’m 10+ years into marketing and business in hospitality and trust me…the imposter syndrome never goes away. All you can do is deliver your best and see if that passes the boss’s review. If it does, then consider that a success. I still feel like an imposter despite being lauded in my industry, obtained a lot of awards and having the reputation for being one of the best in my area.
To get past imposter syndrome:
Do what you can to set yourself up for success
(Read/skim ‘The First 90 Days’)
Focus on your next smallest move forward
Take each moment as it comes and be fully present
Celebrate your wins no matter how small
Do not compare yourself to anyone else
Remind yourself you don’t have to believe your thoughts
When negative thoughts come up, acknowledge them then reframe
Trust that you can figure things out and if you can’t, that you’ll be able to figure out who to ask for help
Worst case scenario is everyone learns something
A year doing a shitty job and learning something new is better than a year doing the same thing you’ve been doing
Trust that they know what they’re doing by hiring you. If they chose wrong, that’s on them, not you. They’ll be okay.
Believe in yourself. You’ve got this! One moment at a time.
Just force yourself to say yes even if you feel uncomfortable. You’ll struggle with anxiety leading up to the start day and maybe a few weeks-months after but you’ll settle in and it’ll be worth it
Wow OP, are you me? I went through a very similar experience, my physical and mental health deteriorated after a year of bullying and exclusion. I also ended up leaving, and didn’t even attempt to apply for a job the first 3 months after I left.
Every now and then, I get the maybe I am not good enough for this, maybe I shouldn’t be applying despite having the required experience. It really does mess with your head but what was an eye opener for me is a call I had with a recruiter, when she saw the last place I worked at, she immediately asked about the culture insinuating that she heard it is not great and that it has a high turnover rate( without me mentioning it) that felt validating to me.
I was also approached by another recruiter on LinkedIn for a much better, more senior leadership job and I won’t lie, it made me anxious.
My advice to you is don’t let them get to you. Logically speaking, you were in a toxic place and you left for a good reason. A good place would not bully their employees and make fun of them. Best of luck and you got this!
Take the job!! I’m 29 and started a job in a more senior role I felt unqualified for last year. I was very nervous but knew I would regret it if I didn’t. Not gonna lie it’s been uncomfortable dealing with my own imposter syndrome and being in situations where I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m also younger than anyone in the entry level positions in my department 🥴. But I’ve grown soo much and looking back I’ve gained so much knowledge. The company is a little disorganized but I’m getting tons of experience and I’m interested in the work. Every day I’m getting more comfortable saying “can you explain that to me?” and “what’s the typical process for that?” And of course I do see that I bring knowledge and that others are missing. You don’t need to know it all. Do it afraid!
Even if this doesn’t end up being the right role for you, you’ll gain a lot from it. And you’ve already demonstrated you are smart so just keep reminding yourself that you’ll figure it out, and it’s not life or death if you make a mistake. (You’re not a surgeon are you?) Allow yourself those mistakes, they are all part of the journey.
Always bite off more than you can chew … then chew like fuck ~Richard Branson
I believe in you. Don’t listen to you, listen to me.
You can do the thing op!
Keep us updated so we can cheer at you too
Fake it til you make it.
Believe me. Not half of all the “big job” guys out there really understand what they are doing. That’s how it is nowadays.
Don’t worry. Give your best and reevaluate in one month and one year. It’ll all be just fine.