You Can Do It
 At last the interviews are over, the offer has been accepted and the remuneration in
the new role has been negotiated. Today is the first day of your new role. Today is
also the day of panic – what made you think that you could achieve in this new role,
there are so many things you don’t know, so many things you haven’t experienced
and surely the others around will see right through your imperfection.
Have you ever felt you shouldn’t be there, that you are an impostor? This is called
impostor syndrome and you would not be alone in feeling this way. It is also something
that women appear to feel more acutely than men.
Typically women are less likely to apply for a role where they have less than 60% of
the skill set. Some men will apply even if they have less than a third of the mandatory
skill set. So why, when a woman does get the new role, does she think either the
company or her new manager will find her out before she even gets started or before
she has time to prove her right to be in the position.
It is often hard to understand why this feeling appears but there are ways of reassuring
yourself that you can and will succeed. First recognise that this is what you are
feeling. Then remember the following points:
| 1. |
Women have better results at high school and university than men. Therefore
there is nothing in your make up that would suggest you are less likely to succeed
than others. |
| 2. |
During the selection process those involved considered at least a couple of others
and probably many others. In their opinion you had the best skill set and potential to
achieve than the others who applied for the position. |
| 3. |
During your working life you will always be expanding your knowledge and skills.
Those around you will understand that you will need time to absorb the challenges of
the new role. Don’t be afraid to ask those around you for information. |
| 4. |
In general, women are less likely to take risk. So although your inner voice maybe
be suggesting that you are in a risky situation, what is the real risk attached to this
new role? |
Try to get your inner voice coaching you in a more positive way by……
| 1. |
Take a confident stance in all your interactions |
| 2. |
Tell that inner voice that you can learn readily and no one knows it all |
| 3. |
Ask others their views on the key issues to be addressed build your networks with
your team and peers |
| 4. |
But, most of all don’t fall into the trap of ridiculous hours seeking perfection. Those
around you would prefer to work with a human being! |
It is important to recognise if the imposter syndrome is part of your life and to seek
assistance in alleviating fear and anxiousness from your career.
Helping Links
Click here to read an interview with Di Ryall for Telstra e-news.
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