Ask ReproJobs: How do I cope with imposter syndrome in the job search?
Dear ReproJobs,
I've been at the same tiny repro rights organization for 5 years and have climbed my way from intern to a director-level position. While I am so proud of the amazing work I've done here, my job has always been a little unclear, and because I've been around for so long, I tend to be the catch-all for other work that nobody has the capacity to do. Now, I'm moving cross country with my partner and I'm really excited to find new work in the repro movement, but because my job has always been pretty unclear and it's the only one I've ever had, I'm having serious imposter syndrome. How do I beat this and feel confident in my expertise during my job search?
— Moving with Skills
Dear Moving with Skills,
We hear you -- imposter syndrome is real, and so many of us struggle to cope with it. A new beginning (congrats on the move!) is a really common time for feelings of fraud or self-doubt to pop up, so you’re definitely not alone there.
The good news is you’ve already identified that you feel like an imposter, but that in reality you are incredible and brave. The proof? You are taking a risk by moving and searching for something new, which takes a lot of guts, and you kicked ass at a job where people trusted you to get shit done, even if it wasn’t in your job description (Side note: this is so common, especially at small or new organizations. We hope you got great raises with each title bump, and ample acknowledgment from supervisors that you are the glue keeping the organization together.).
Here are a few activities that might help both curb your imposter syndrome and help you gear up for a job search:
Make a list: Open a blank document or get out a pen and paper and start writing down everything you did at your job. We don’t mean just the big projects, we mean everything that it took to get you there; For example: all the meetings you scheduled, planned, got supplies for, led, and evaluated. Compile a list of all the reports you drafted, edited, formatted, and sent. What about all the internal organizational systems you set up? How many events did you plan, and with that how many volunteers did you train and coordinate? Take your time and list it all, even if it seems like not a big task. It counts! This should help you separate your feelings of self-doubt from the facts—that is, that you’ve accomplished a LOT, even if it wasn’t word-for-word in your job description.
Read the feedback: Did you have biannual or annual evaluations at your last job? Hopefully your boss used that as an opportunity to document all your progress and share what a great asset you are to the organization. If you can, ask for copies of these documents so you can use them to remind yourself of all the great work you did, to make sure you did not forget any key accomplishments in your own accounting of your work, and as a tool for articulating your worth in future job interviews.
Ask your trusted friends and colleagues: Who are the people who really see you at work? Who can tell when you’re overwhelmed and dart out to get you a cup of your favorite coffee, and who take you out for a celebratory meal when you’ve reached a big milestone? If you feel comfortable, let them know you’re feeling like an imposter and ask for their support. They’ll probably mention a small moment where you held it down or made a project happen that you’ve forgotten or didn’t think was important, but meant the world to them. They want to be there for you, so let them. Ask them to remind you why they loved working with you, and share the same about them.
Here are more tips for coping with imposter syndrome. This is a process—an emotional one at that, on top of the normal stressors of moving, changing jobs, and finding a new community. We believe in you!
Love,
ReproJobs