A Touch of Imposter Syndrome can be a Good Sign (Under the Right Circumstances)
If you’re doubting your ability to execute your job, that may be a good sign. In order to grow in your career, you have to stretch and do things you’ve never done before. New things are often hard or uncomfortable to do.
Honestly and realistically, I’m not a psychology expert by any means; I don’t understand the depths and effects of imposter syndrome. Rather than comment on imposter syndrome in its entirety, I’d like to clarify that this blog post is a response to job seekers who cite imposter syndrome as a concern when:
they’re applying for roles and feel like they’re not good enough (when they actually are)
they’re in a role, but feel like a bit anxious about the (sometimes new) responsibilities ahead
they’ve pivoted into a brand new careers
From what I’ve observed, imposter syndrome can rob people of their confidence because they think they’re not competent enough for the job. Funnily enough though, when the opposite happens and people feel very comfortable and confident in their role, they get bored after some time.
A touch of imposter syndrome under the right circumstances can mean that you’re actually in the right place for your career. The discomfort you feel is a sign that you're challenging yourself. In order to grow professionally, you need to tackle bigger, harder, or newer tasks, and that can feel really daunting because it’s unfamiliar. It's a signal that you're not settling for the status quo and are striving for more in your career.
WHAT ARE THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES?
Will the above always be true? Unfortunately, no.
In the title, I also call out that the right circumstances need to be in place. This is what I mean:
You’re the right person for the job - if your experience checks out ~80% of what the job description is looking for, that’s great. The remaining ~20% is what you’ll be stretching and growing into.
Realistic expectations - it’s important that you’re being challenged to do something within reason. If you’re being tasked with a manager level responsibilities when you’re a junior level individual contributor, that’s a red flag.
If either of these are missing in your workplace, I strongly recommend that you seek support starting with Human Resources or your manager. Ask them for training, coaching, someone else to work with while you learn the ropes, etc. In more severe cases, you may need to ask for a reevaluation of your role and/or compensation.
YOU CAN DO IT!!
A degree of self-doubt signals a sense of self-awareness, which is important for learning, making better decisions, and communicating more effectively. Sometimes it does manifest negatively as imposter syndrome, but overall, it helps you assess your strengths and weaknesses.
The hiring process isn’t perfect or fool-proof, but my optimistic side says to trust the hiring manager. They chose you for a reason, and most of the time it’s because you shined during the interview process and showed them that you were the best fit for the job, so don’t count yourself out. You’ve got this. 💪