How to Combat Imposter Syndrome

The process for applying, submitting your application, and interviewing is no joke. People could have a full-time job out of it (hint, hint, that’s our specialty), and it can feel exhausting and daunting. When you are compared to other talented candidates that apply, it’s a quick and easy confidence killer. You may believe that you aren’t good enough for the role, that you need to add extra fluff, or that someone else will get the job over you. If you feel/have felt this way during the interview process, it’s probably because you are experiencing imposter syndrome. Not sure what that is? Keep reading to learn more about imposter syndrome and how you can combat it during the job process. 

What is imposter syndrome?

For most people, it is common to experience imposter syndrome. Those that experience this have difficulties accepting their achievements, and often they feel like a fraud. You perceive that you will only succeed purely due to luck and that your skills are not proficient enough to land you the job. 

Imposter syndrome is a struggle that everyone can encounter whether you are male, female, nonbinary, a marketing professional, a medical student, a lawyer, or even an executive of a company. It’s okay to feel like an imposter, but you should be proud of your achievements and feel confident about getting the job. 

How to battle feeling like an imposter

Your thoughts are not the truth

One of the harshest realities to accept is we are not our thoughts, and sometimes our internal dialogue is not truthful. Especially when combatting imposter syndrome, we believe everything our mind is telling us. If we failed to complete a task on time, our minds tell us that we are a failure, but that is far from the truth. 

As you are preparing, applying, and interviewing for a job, be mindful of your thoughts. If you skeptical and repugnant beliefs about your ability to perform, try not to listen to these thoughts. Reaffirm to yourself that you are qualified for this position and you have what it takes to get the job. 

List out your successes

Whether you do this before or after your interview, take time with yourself. Sit down and list out all of your successes and skills in your career. With imposter syndrome, it can be hard to acknowledge our successes, small or large, so it’s crucial to take the time to do so. Making a list will help boost your confidence both before and after your interview and help you believe you are worthy of the job. 

You aren’t a failure if you don’t get the job

On average, each job has about 200 applicants, only a handful will get called in for interviews, and only one will get the job. The chances of you getting the job are slim, but not none. If you don’t get the job, it’s necessary to remind yourself that you are not a failure. You did nothing wrong, and there were more factors than you can count that went into the decision-making process.

There will be dozens of other jobs and opportunities. The right position will come to you when the time is right, and if it wasn’t mean to be, it wasn’t meant to be. You did not get the job because of your inability as a professional, and you should remind yourself of that. 

Overall, imposter syndrome is common when applying to jobs because the entire process is comparing skills and experience to others. There is always room for doubts, but give yourself the confidence you need when applying for a job. We wish you the best of luck in your journey to find a job.