Have you heard the expression, “Fake it till you make it?” There’s a reason this phrase is popular. Imposter syndrome, or the idea that you don’t really deserve to be in the position you’re in, is a common feeling for anyone new to their career. But it’s particularly prevalent in knowledge workers coming straight out of their educational career and into a real-life job opportunity.
We hear about imposter syndrome a lot in IT. New tech workers know exactly how little they understand the ever-changing field. But imposter syndrome can be alleviated with another expression—you eat an elephant one bite at a time—which is exactly how you learn and grow in your new IT career.
Here are some tips if you’re new to IT or trying to learn new things and feel like an imposter.
What is IT Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is a psychological phenomenon characterized by persistent self-doubt, inadequacy, or the fear of being exposed as a fraud. Around the globe, nearly 62% of IT workers feel like an imposter. This feeling isn’t logical; despite the evidence, your self-doubt is a potentially crippling hiccup that could prevent you from working to your full potential.
People with imposter syndrome feel they don’t belong in their position or aren’t good enough to get the job done. They may believe luck got them the job rather than their abilities and work ethic. At its best, imposter syndrome is a nagging feeling that makes you nervous. At its worst, anxiety can cause stress and a lack of confidence, negatively affecting your job performance.
How Can IT Workers Overcome Imposter Syndrome?
You can overcome imposter syndrome with these activities:
- Write down your accomplishments: What got you here? Did you graduate college or get a certification from a boot camp? What contributions to your career and past employers got you to this point? Acknowledge what it took to get you here and what you’ve accomplished to push away your feelings of self-doubt.
- Talk it out: Bottling up your worries is generally a bad idea, but if you do that with imposter syndrome, it can affect your job and your mental health. Leverage your support system and talk with someone who can offer support and perspective. You’re not alone in your self-doubt, so reach out to a friend or colleague who can help.
- Challenge your negative thoughts: Uncertainty requires positive self-talk to reset your brain. Even senior IT staffers can feel uncertain when they’re learning new things. Challenge your anxieties by acknowledging what it took to get you here.
Blackstone Talent Group matches top IT talent (that’s you!) with the best employers. Let’s fight your imposter syndrome together by finding you your next IT job. Contact us. We can help.