DEAR ABBY: I have a couple years of experience and I’m ready for my next step but I’m nervous I won’t live up to their expectations – I’m having major Imposter Syndrome! How can I approach this in my job search?!
I’ve had this conversation with multiple entry-mid level candidates recently. A candidate will have a few years of experience but have a hard time seeing their value and worth. They don’t want to let anyone down and the anxiety of this is stunting their long-term growth.
Here is my best advice to help people feel more comfortable in their transition:
1. Believe in Yourself
You know more than you think you do. You’ve worked hard on your degree and you’ve been able to perform in your roles so far – trust you have the ability to learn a new role. You will never grow if you always know how to do everything in a role!
2. Understand Expectations
In an interview, ask what the company’s expectations are for this role in the first 30-60-90 days so that you can make sure you are aligned.
3. Have Open Conversations with Your Manager
Managers don’t expect you to know everything Day 1. They do expect you to be open with what you do and don’t know, give it your all, and they will help give you the tools to meet/exceed their expectations in the first 3-6 months.
4. Sometimes You Have to Put In Extra Work
If you don’t know something that is critical to your job, take the extra time to learn it. This can mean self-study in your spare time as you’re getting acclimated to the new position! The more you put in to make yourself a strong performer, the more success you’ll have in your career!
Having the right raw skillset is half of the equation in a new position – work ethic, ownership, and the drive to do the work needed to get up to speed are things that can’t be trained and are invaluable in an employee!
Babe said it best – “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game” ⚾
Have my hiring managers out there experienced this??
Have my entry-mid level candidates felt this as you’ve been interviewing?
Reach out to anyone on our Prospex Recruiting team to talk through this more in depth!
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