How imposter syndrome can affect your career — and how to overcome it
Imposter syndrome is very common. That doesn’t make it any less challenging to overcome when advancing at work, growing into a new role, or trying something for the first time.
Imagine you just landed your ideal job. You nailed the interview. You got the salary and schedule you requested. You’ve poured hours into building the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in this new position.
And then you feel it — the gut-twisting panic that says you don’t belong there. That someone’s going to expose you as a fraud. That you don’t deserve this new role you’ve worked so hard to achieve.
If you’ve ever felt that way, whether at work or in any other part of your life, you’ve experienced imposter syndrome. Unfortunately, imposter syndrome can sabotage your satisfaction and derail your progress when left unchecked. That’s why it’s so important to know what imposter syndrome is and how to cope with it, especially when moving into a new role at work.
What is imposter syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is the feeling that you aren’t competent or qualified or that people will find out you’re inadequate despite evidence to the contrary.
When envisioning imposter syndrome, consider the classic film The Wizard of Oz. When Dorothy’s dog, Toto, pulls back the curtain, the adventurers expect to see the “Great and Powerful Oz.” But what do they find? An ordinary man using machinery and mirrors to portray himself as something far greater than he really is. When struggling with imposter syndrome, you might fear that someone will “pull back the curtain” to reveal that you’re less knowledgeable and accomplished than people think.
When starting a new job, imposter syndrome might look like negative self-talk, such as Everyone is qualified and deserves to be here except me. Or, during a job search, you might wonder if any company would hire you. Despite your qualifications, you may even feel that you don’t deserve to be hired, don’t know enough, or won’t succeed.
Dorrie Presson, a Sr. Career Coach at Guild, recalls working with a Guild learner who’d just completed a bachelor’s degree in IT with an impressive 4.0 GPA. Yet this learner told Dorrie, “I’m just a grocery store worker. What company is going to hire me?”
Common reactions to imposter syndrome
There are many different ways people might respond when experiencing imposter syndrome. Below are a few common reactions to self-doubt. Have you experienced any of them?
- Wallowing: Some people let their negative thoughts fester and become stuck on why they’re not good enough. Of course, this only makes feelings of imposter syndrome stronger.
- Overworking: Some try to get rid of self-doubt by working even harder to meet their unreasonably high expectations for themselves. Despite their best efforts, they often feel like they fall short.
- Comparing: Others might constantly compare themselves to others to see if they measure up. But this, too, often results in them feeling even worse about themselves.
If you’re experiencing any of these reactions to imposter syndrome, try bringing your feelings to the surface instead. Talking about them with a trusted friend, colleague, or mentor can help you discover ways to combat imposter syndrome.
Reflect: Sometimes, it helps to get out of your head when it comes to impostor syndrome. Try asking someone — a friend, classmate, or coworker — how they see you at work and what they think your strengths are.
How to cope with imposter syndrome
If you’re realizing that you struggle with imposter syndrome, know that you’re not alone. Research shows that up to 82% of people deal with imposter syndrome at some point in their lives.
It can affect even the most highly accomplished and successful people. For example, tennis professional Coco Gauff, who recently won the U.S. Open, publicly shared her battle with imposter syndrome.
“When I step on the court, I have a lot of confidence,” she said. “But I’ve been anxious my whole life — even as a junior — when I played well. I think it’s just a matter of fighting those thoughts and realizing that I belong here.”
Why do so many people struggle with imposter syndrome despite their success? One reason is that self-doubt is a common response to stepping out of your comfort zone. That’s why you might experience imposter syndrome many different times throughout your career. Fortunately, you can use coping strategies to help quiet those negative thoughts over time.
Notice your feelings instead of giving in to them
One effective coping strategy is to recognize negative thoughts and explore why you’re feeling that way. You may find it helpful to keep a journal of what triggers those negative feelings.
You can talk about your feelings with a trusted person. Support and insight from others can help you gain a new perspective and challenge your false thinking. Try to meet regularly with a mentor who can empathize with you and share what coping strategies have best helped them.
Take control of the story you tell yourself
Noticing imposter syndrome is a great first step, but you must follow it up with action. First, tell yourself that you do belong where you are. Remind yourself of what you’ve achieved to get there.
Whenever you think you’re unqualified, ask yourself these four questions from author and speaker Byron Katie:
- Is this thought true?
- Can I absolutely know that it’s true?
- How do I react when I believe that thought?
- Who would I be without the thought?
Byron Katie encourages people to then say something that’s the opposite of their negative thoughts. For example, if you think, I don’t deserve this job, try telling yourself instead, I do deserve this position. I’ve worked hard to be where I am and am qualified to succeed here.
Reflect: It can help to remind yourself of all you’ve achieved. What accomplishments are you most proud of? Make a list and keep it handy for times when you need a boost of self-confidence.
Coping with imposter syndrome in your career
Facing imposter syndrome — whether during a job search or when starting a new role — can keep you from feeling confident, doing your best, and pursuing opportunities.
When you’re searching for a job
If you’re dealing with self-doubt during your job search, first focus on your skills and qualifications. Next, remind yourself of everything you’ve learned in your education or professional experience that makes you a strong candidate. Writing these down may help you get out of your head and view your achievements objectively.
Then, reflect on the obstacles you’ve overcome to get where you are. What challenges did you face to finish your academic program? What problems at work did you have to solve? The fact that you’ve worked through these various struggles is proof that you can do hard things.
When looking for a new role, try to understand the job requirements as best as possible. Knowing what’s expected of you and realizing you have what it takes can help quiet feelings of self-doubt.
When you’re starting a new role
It’s normal to feel some pressure when you get a new job because you want to make a good impression. But remember — you aren’t expected to be an expert on day one. Your confidence and ability will grow over time.
Mistakes are common when starting something new. Sometimes, they’re the best way to learn! So give yourself extra grace during your first few weeks on the job and view your mistakes as opportunities for growth. When that critical inner voice gets loud, remember that no one’s perfect. Be gentle with yourself as you learn your new responsibilities.
Lastly, remind yourself that this isn’t the first time you’ve done something new. Think back to previous jobs and how you felt when you started them. Maybe you felt incompetent or like you didn’t deserve to be there. But chances are, those feelings lessened as you grew more confident in your role. The same thing can happen in this new role, too.
Reflect: The road to being great at something starts with being just okay at it. Then, as you learn, you grow better over time. When have you experienced this?
Career growth isn’t comfortable — and that’s okay
You’ll likely feel nervous or uncomfortable at many different times throughout your career. The good news is that growth happens outside your comfort zone. Those uncomfortable feelings don’t mean you’re incompetent or unqualified. They’re a sign that you’re stretching yourself, which can lead to amazing things.
Remember, the discomfort of trying something new in your career doesn’t last forever. As you continue to step further into your potential and push yourself, you’ll keep taking steps toward your goals. You’ve got what it takes to be successful — and great things are ahead of you!
Interested in setting up a session with a coach to talk about impostor syndrome? Guild members and learners should log into the Guild portal and schedule time with a coach.*
*Guild coaching is only available to Guild members and learners whose employer includes Guild coaching within their benefit. If you are eligible for Guild but don’t have an account, this is your chance to create one.