Imposter Syndrome And How To Deal With It

Never heard of imposter syndrome? For many people, taking the next step on the career ladder can be challenging. It may be that you have years of experience in your role and are ready to take the next career move but feel like a fraud and begin worrying about what will happen if you get found out.

Appraisals and annual reviews may suggest that you’re beyond competent in your job, but sometimes it’s difficult to shake that feeling that actually if you make that next step you’re bound to fail.

Self-Doubt And Insecurity

These bouts of self-doubt and insecurity have a name – imposter syndrome, and there’s plenty of it about!

Impostor syndrome is a psychological phenomenon in which people are unable to internalise their accomplishments. Despite external evidence of their competence, those with the syndrome remain convinced that they are frauds and do not deserve the success they have achieved. Proof of success is dismissed as luck, timing, or as a result of deceiving others into thinking they are more intelligent and competent than they believe themselves to be.

Famous Impostors

Well-known names such as the likes of Natalie Portman, Chris Martin, Jodie Foster and Kate Winslet have all admitted to suffering from this over the years.

So, how do you go about dealing with imposter syndrome and getting yourself back on track? –

• Accentuate the positives – Think carefully about everything you’ve achieved in your career to date. Make a list of them if it helps you to focus. Refer to the list often and remind yourself, if you need to do so, of your qualities. Focus solely on your strengths and play on them.

• Why are you an expert? – If you’re beginning to doubt the level of your knowledge in a certain area, break it down into things that you know that the man in the street might not about your particular job. It’s all too easy sometimes to take the knowledge you have for granted, most of what you know isn’t obvious at all but derived from years of understanding and doing.

• You’re not alone – Recognise that many people, even some of the highest achievers, all go through the same feelings. It’s fine to sometimes feel a little insecure as long as you don’t let it take over and you’re able to keep everything in perspective.

• What do others think? Remember nice things that others have said about you and your work. No-one has to compliment you on your ability but the fact they have says a lot. Their opinion is that you obviously have something valuable to offer, use that as a confidence booster in times of need.

______________________

If you are an employer looking for staff or a candidate seeking job opportunities then Safehands Recruitment can help you. We specialise in supplying staff into Health and Social Care environments.

At Safehands Recruitment, candidates are our lifeblood and if you are looking for temporary or permanent work we would like to hear from you.

Our commitment is to provide you with the best employment opportunities we can. We understand how important it is to match the right job with the right candidate.

You can also follow Safehands Recruitment on:

Twitter: @UkSafehands

Facebook: Facebook