Scared of failing in your new job? Is imposter syndrome holding you back from pursuing new challenges? Find out 5 ways to overcome imposter syndrome at a new job and gain the confidence you need to be successful.
The start of a new job can be exciting and thrilling – but also overwhelming and nerve-racking. At some point, you may even feel anxiety and self-doubt. Even worse, you may feel like you’re not up for the task and that you are set to fail.
There is a name for that feeling: imposter syndrome. It affects around one-third of young people and is likely to be experienced by 7 in 10 adults at some point in their lives.
When you are affected by imposter syndrome at a new job, you may begin to believe that you were hired solely because of a good interview performance, or that you are not qualified for the job. You might also question your achievements, wondering if your success in tasks is simply a result of luck or over-preparation.
Imposter syndrome at a new job can work against you, as it leads to a pattern of negative thinking and self-sabotage. But there are strategies you can learn to cope with that feeling!
What Is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter Syndrome (or imposter phenomenon) is the internal psychological experience of feeling like a fraud or doubting your own abilities. This can happen despite the successes that you have achieved on multiple occasions and areas.
While imposter syndrome is not a recognized mental health disorder, it is often associated with anxiety, depression, and career burnout.
There are various risk factors for developing imposter syndrome, such as family upbringing, social anxiety, or certain personality traits associated with low self-efficacy, perfectionism, and insecurity. However, research shows this phenomenon manifests in people of all backgrounds, ages, and genders.
Those who experience this phenomenon are typically more affected when taking on new roles or new responsibilities. This can help us understand why imposter syndrome in a new job is one of the main triggers for high-achievers and perfectionists.
Symptoms of Impostor Syndrome at Work
The impact of imposter syndrome at a new job can drive you to obsess over minor mistakes and work twice as hard to prove yourself. Over time, these feelings of self-doubts can impact your mental health and stir up a lot of anxiety and depression.
Ultimately, it can make you sabotage your own success. This can prevent you from asking for a raise or applying for a promotion. Studies suggest that imposter syndrome can negatively affect job performance and satisfaction while increasing burnout.
Symptoms of imposter syndrome at a new job include:
- Attributing success to luck or any other reasons;
- Fear of being exposed as fraud;
- The need to overwork to meet expectations and high standards;
- Dismissing own accomplishments;
- Feeling unworthy of success and attention;
- Holding yourself back from achieving reachable goals.
The problem with imposter syndrome at a new job is that no matter how much positive feedback you receive or how well you do, you still feel unworthy. The more you accomplish, the more you feel like a fraud. It’s as if you cannot fully assimilate your experiences of success.
So, how do you get past imposter syndrome? To overcome anxiety and depression at a new job, you need to get comfortable challenging your core beliefs. It can be hard, as you may not even be aware of these beliefs, but here are some strategies to help you:
5 Tips to Help You Conquer Imposter Syndrome at a New Job
1. Set realistic expectations for yourself
If you set unrealistic standards and expectations for yourself, you may find it harder to achieve your goals. Even if you do succeed, attributing your success solely to factors like luck or help can do you only more harm.
By establishing clear expectations from the outset, you shield yourself from future disappointment. This clarity also provides you with a sense of purpose that will help you stay on course and keep you motivated.
Remember, falling short of your goals doesn’t necessarily mean you’re off track. It may simply indicate the need to take a step back and reevaluate what’s achievable for you in your current circumstances.
2. Learn from your mistakes
Don’t let the fear of making mistakes hold you back; instead, learn from them. Even the most accomplished individuals in the world have made their fair share of mistakes. The fact that they are not afraid of failure may very well be their secret weapon.
So, be self-compassionate and consider every misstep, every setback, as a stepping stone on your journey. Each mistake holds a lesson, a chance for growth, and an opportunity to overcome imposter syndrome at a new job.
When you feel you’ve failed, write down what you’ve learned from it, both professionally and personally. This can help you foster self-awareness to apply in other situations.
Also, keep in mind that nobody is perfect, and success rarely comes without a few hiccups along the way. It’s okay to stumble. Actually, it’s part of the process.
3. Celebrate your strengths and accomplishments
As you embark on a new chapter in your career, the initial excitement may soon be accompanied by a familiar guest: self-doubt. You might ask yourself, “Do I truly belong here?”.
If you have long-held beliefs about your incapability and underperformance, now is the right moment to focus on your strengths and accomplishments.
Create a list or vision board, one that proudly showcases all the skills and accomplishments that uniquely qualify you for your job. For instance, gather emails containing positive feedback from managers, coworkers, and clients. Keep this list at the forefront of your thoughts, especially on challenging days.
Imposter syndrome often thrives in the shadows of self-doubt and negative self-talk. By embracing your strengths and accomplishments, you’re reminding yourself of your capability and self-worth.
4. Build positive and supportive relationships
Sometimes, talking with other people can help you realize that your imposter syndrome feelings are normal – but also irrational. People can help you normalize your experiences and reassure you that your self-perception isn’t accurate.
Building a support network at work allows you to ask for feedback and superiors, and learn from them. This network can also be a source of encouragement, recognition for your achievements, and appreciation for your strengths.
Once you’ve built a trusted network, especially when starting a new job or career, you’ll find a valuable source of guidance. This way, you won’t be afraid to seek assistance when you’re unsure how to tackle an assignment. So, don’t be afraid to reach out for help!
5. Seek professional support
If self-doubt begins to impact your mental well-being and job performance, it’s crucial to reach out for support. Over time, these symptoms can accumulate and contribute to a lack of motivation, frustration, and sleep problems, and trigger other mental health issues, including depression.
A therapist can help you recognize feelings associated with imposter syndrome and develop new strategies to overcome them. They can also help you break free from unproductive patterns and tap into your strengths.
As you learn how to cope with worries and challenging feelings, you can move past the imposter cycle and feel more confident in your new workplace.
Counseling for Life Transitions in Baltimore, MD
Are you struggling with imposter syndrome or anxiety about starting a new job? Have you been delaying taking on new challenges in your career because you doubt your abilities?
Change can be hard. Even a positive change — like a promotion or a new job opportunity — can still cause discomfort and trigger stress and anxiety. Our Baltimore therapists can help you overcome imposter syndrome and develop strategies to embrace this new opportunity with confidence. Talk to us to know more!
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