Imposter Syndrome – kicking it out of your new job
What skills can I work on to improve my confidence and get over my imposter syndrome?
If you’re suffering from imposter syndrome at your job, you don’t need to work on any specific skills….you need to identify the ones you already have.
Imposter syndrome tends to bite when someone isn’t clear on their skills and knowledge base. Once those are clarified, true gaps in skill and knowledge become way, WAY clearer! To the point where you can actually point at them, give them words, and start working on them.
For example if you are at the entry level of things, right now it probably seems like:
– you have the bare minimum skills in order to get this job, somehow
– you have no idea what those skills were that got you hired. They just seemed to “see something in you” which you can’t identify
– you’re barely hanging on, getting just enough done to not get in trouble (you hope)
– you’re terrified you are gonna screw something up
– firing feels like its constantly around the corner
– you’re having trouble connecting with your coworkers professionally (let alone personally) because they feel like towering giants of wisdom compared to your pea-sized knowledge
– you’re reading as much as you can get your hands on, but “making it all make sense” or “putting it all together in a way that you get” is not happening
– fearing asking for too much help and disturb others too much, especially your boss
– among a hundred other things you can’t put your finger on, but whatever they are, they’re fucking up your confidence a bit more every day. Like sand going though your fingers that you just can’t hold!
The answer is to get a handle on what skills you DO already have first, and the rest kinda starts clicking into place on it’s own.
How do I find my skills?
Here’s a few basic actionable steps:
1. Take stock of the skills you already know you definitely have, physically write them down somewhere (real pen and paper are a plus!) What did you used to do?
2. Take stock of what is stressing you out the most, write them down. What is imposter syndrome telling you that you’re failing at?
3. Think about how the skills you have written might be able to help you with the stressors. Techniques you used in school or on previous jobs, or identifying weak areas that you can watch a few videos on (such as how to use a program or work organizational strategies).
This is by no means the only thing you can do! Figuring out each and every skill you have and breaking them down into component, transferrable skills is an intense process, and can be done step by step with help and support. Imposter syndrome is honestly pretty solvable.
I’m here if you’d like that type of help.