Impostersyndrome: Do you have a reason to worry?
Are you in doubt as to whether you can handle the tasks that are set for you? Are you not the one to speak in meetings because you're afraid of sounding corny or being misunderstood? Then you might have imposter syndrome. Read about the 4 phases as a graduate in your first job, and learn to deal with your insecurities.
Imposter syndrom is very common
As a new graduate, you rush into the labour market, bursting with initiative, and dreaming about making your way in the world. You want to be really good, make a difference and realise your potential.
However, you go from being a graduate student to suddenly being a novice. It can feel like you are back to start. Many (more than 50% of all Danes) will be struck by imposter syndrome; i.e. concerns about being exposed as incompetent.
We compare ourselves with each other all the time – also at work. And this is a good thing, because it means that we can read the working culture and learn how to fit in and where to make your mark.
But it also has the disadvantage that we become very aware of our colleagues’ competences and we mirror ourselves in them. Most of your colleagues have been on the labour market longer than you. Therefore, they’re more experienced.
Unfortunately, we rarely perceive this as differences in experience, but rather as differences in competences. They are not the same.
Why do I become insecure in my new job?
You basically go through four phases when you start in a new job.
Unknowingly inexperienced
You don’t know your limitations before you’re confronted with them. Even though you know that everything will probably be different when you start your new job and you’re nervous, many people are surprised when their tasks become more specific and not as theoretical as they are used to.
Knowingly inexperienced
You will discover relatively quickly that your colleagues think, say and do many things naturally that you do not understand or have never done before. In these situations, you will become aware that you don’t have as much experience as your colleagues. If you have imposter syndrome, this is typically the phase you’re in right now.
Knowingly experienced
If you’re not discouraged by step 2, you’ll gradually acquire the same experience as your colleagues – and perhaps sooner than you think. Like learning to ride a bike: First you have to fall and wear a plaster, but then someday things will run smoothly – even without stabilisers. It feels great when you can apply your academic skills from your studies in a new way on your new tasks.
Unknowingly experienced
The things that were new and difficult in the beginning, and that you’ve worked hard to get used to ever since, will gradually stop being new. You’ll get used to being able to do the same as your colleagues, and you may forget that this was once a challenging time.
If things then change, and you change to a new job, department or position, it’ll start all over again. But now you know that this is a natural process and everybody has to go through it; it has nothing to do with your competences.
Do you have reason to worry?
Imposter syndrome is a set of psychological patterns, where you internalise a fear of being caught as a fraud. In this capacity you might worry about a lot of things and if they are perfect enough. Those worries are then linked to your skills and accomplishments and then doubt kicks in. But in the respect of your abilites to perform in a job setting, you have nothing to worry about – There are at least 2 reasons why:
- You’re reading this text. This means that you care about how well you do at work. And this shows commitment. If you’re committed and want to be the best version of yourself at work, then don’t worry: You will be, you just have to go through the motions first. There is no getting around it, but remember: If you have completed a higher education programme, you’re used to acquiring new knowledge.
- You’re underestimating your superiors. It’s not your job to assess your suitability. The people who hired you have done that already. “Putting a team together” is actually one of the primary tasks of a personnel manager. If they believe that you’re up to the task, they’re very probably right. Perhaps they can see things that you can’t. They won’t expect you to be a genius from day one. No matter what: It’s not your job to assess whether you’re suitable for the job.
