{"id":1786,"date":"2020-04-27T12:30:07","date_gmt":"2020-04-27T11:30:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/?p=1786"},"modified":"2025-10-22T15:16:28","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T14:16:28","slug":"am-i-a-fraud-impostor-syndrome-and-your-career","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/2020\/04\/27\/am-i-a-fraud-impostor-syndrome-and-your-career\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cAm I a fraud?\u201d Impostor Syndrome and your career"},"content":{"rendered":"

This blog post was written by Information Assistant Tricia Onions<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

So<\/span>\u00a0you\u2019ve made it through uni. You\u2019ve worked hard<\/span>. Y<\/span>ou\u2019ve done your career research<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>nd polished your CV.\u00a0<\/span>Most people would agree you\u2019re all set for\u00a0<\/span>a rewarding and fulfilling career.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But would\u00a0<\/span>you<\/span><\/i>\u00a0agree?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Impostor Syndrome\u00a0<\/span>is the constant, nagging feeling that we don\u2019t\u00a0<\/span>deserve what we have achieved.\u00a0<\/span>It\u00a0<\/span>leads us to believe our accomplish<\/span>ments<\/span>\u00a0are a fluke<\/span>\u00a0and that, one day, the world will\u00a0<\/span>see through our \u2018fake\u2019 success<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Most of us suffer from this to some extent.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>But why would they want to publish your blog post?\u00a0<\/span><\/i>What do you have to say that\u2019s so important? How long before they\u00a0<\/span><\/i>realise<\/span><\/i>\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0<\/span><\/i>just not that good?<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately,\u00a0<\/span>it\u2019s all too easy to fall into this trap<\/span>\u00a0of negative self-talk<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>We\u2019re taught to value modesty and to never be \u2018big-headed\u2019<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u2013<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>having low self-esteem on top of that can lead us to\u00a0<\/span>doubt ourselves when we do well<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Impostor\u00a0<\/span>S<\/span>yndrome was conceptualised in 1978 by Dr Pauline\u00a0<\/span>Clance<\/span>\u00a0and Dr Suzanne\u00a0<\/span>Imes<\/span>. They studied\u00a0<\/span>a group<\/span>\u00a0of<\/span>\u00a0women who<\/span>se success could be objectively quantified\u00a0<\/span>\u2013<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>they scored high in tests and were academically recognised as\u00a0<\/span>high-achievers. Yet the women themselves\u00a0<\/span>experienced feelings of \u2018phoniness\u2019 and put their success down to luck.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It affects both men and women, though gender<\/span>\u00a0differences have been not<\/span>ed<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Having written eleven books and\u00a0<\/span>won\u00a0<\/span>numerous awards, Maya Angelou\u00a0<\/span>doubted herself every time she sat down to write.<\/span>\u00a0\u2018I\u2019ve run a game on everybody,\u2019 she said, \u2018and they\u2019re going to find me out.\u2019<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I know I find that reassuring.\u00a0<\/span>That feeling of being \u2018found out\u2019 isn\u2019t\u00a0<\/span>exclusive to me \u2013 even the most successful people\u00a0<\/span>struggle to accept thei<\/span>r\u00a0<\/span>professional achievements.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>And for those who are just starting out<\/span>\u00a0in their careers<\/span>, impostor syndrome\u00a0<\/span>can potentially sabotage\u00a0<\/span>some great opportunities.\u00a0<\/span>I\u2019ve been so afraid of appearing cocky on my CV and at previous job interviews that I\u2019ve been really tempted to sell myself short.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So how do we strike the balance?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Honesty is the best policy<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Employers can only go by the strengths and experience you\u00a0<\/span>put forward<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Have you led and motivated teams? Have you conveyed that?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Be truthful about what you\u2019ve already achieved<\/span>\u00a0and don\u2019t downplay your success.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Contrary to what that little voice might say, no one can<\/span>\u00a0\u2018expose\u2019 you as an impostor i<\/span>f you\u2019re upfront about your strength<\/span>s.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Success is\u00a0<\/span>more than just luck<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Whether you<\/span>\u2019ve<\/span>\u00a0made it through to an interview or assessment centre, or you\u2019ve been offered\u00a0<\/span>a position, don\u2019t let your inner critic devalue your success.<\/span>\u00a0Remember, employers need employees<\/span>, and<\/span>\u00a0they don\u2019t take decision-making lightly. If you\u2019ve received an offer, it means you have something of value\u00a0<\/span>\u2013<\/span>\u00a0that could be<\/span>\u00a0relevant\u00a0<\/span>qualifications,\u00a0<\/span>demonstrable work ethic,\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0<\/span>power<\/span>ful interview technique.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>A<\/span>sk<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>for feedback on\u00a0<\/span>what you did well \u2013 it\u2019s always good to know!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Talk to someone<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

We get so wrapped up\u00a0<\/span>in our<\/span>\u00a0own worries, i<\/span>t\u2019s easy to convince ourselves we\u2019re the only people feeling this way. We look at our peers and marvel at their skills, not realising that we are just as capable, or that everyone is on their own unique journey of self-improvement.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It might sound really\u00a0<\/span>cheesy, but<\/span>\u00a0talking to your peers\u00a0<\/span>is a great way to challenge\u00a0<\/span>negative<\/span>\u00a0feelings.\u00a0<\/span>They might reveal that they feel the same way about their own\u00a0<\/span>achievements,\u00a0<\/span>or<\/span>\u00a0reassure you that\u00a0<\/span>your self-doubt is<\/span>\u00a0unfounded.<\/span>\u00a0Just knowing other people<\/span>\u00a0are going through something similar\u00a0<\/span>could put your mind at ease, which in turn allows you to work to the best of your abilities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Challenge negative beliefs<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Ask yourself:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Where\u2019s the evidence that I\u2019m an\u00a0<\/span>impostor<\/span>?\u00a0<\/span>On closer inspection, you\u2019ll probably realise there\u2019s no proof at all \u2013 it\u2019s just a feeling.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Wo<\/span>uld I say this about my best friend? If you wouldn\u2019t doubt\u00a0<\/span>a<\/span>nother person\u2019s success, you\u2019re most likely holding yourself to a different standard.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n
    • What did I do well\u00a0<\/span>on that application or in that interview? It\u2019s much easier to focus on\u00a0<\/span>what you think you didn\u2019t do well<\/span>, and that is what fuels\u00a0<\/span>impostor<\/span>\u00a0syndrome.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Try not to give in to it.\u00a0<\/span>There are reasons you\u2019ve\u00a0<\/span>made it this far \u2013 look hard and you will find them.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      And remember\u2026<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

      I\u2019ve been told it takes\u00a0<\/span>between six months and two years to<\/span>\u00a0get to grips with a new job.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>No<\/span>\u00a0one\u00a0<\/span>knows everything from the get-go<\/span>, so be kind to yourself and\u00a0<\/span>don\u2019t be afraid to ask for help.\u00a0<\/span>You won\u2019t come across an \u2018impostor\u2019 \u2013\u00a0<\/span>rather, your initiative and willingness to learn are\u00a0<\/span>trait<\/span>s\u00a0<\/span>any good employer would value.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      This blog post was written by Information Assistant Tricia Onions So\u00a0you\u2019ve made it through uni. You\u2019ve worked hard. You\u2019ve done your career research\u00a0and polished your CV.\u00a0Most people would agree you\u2019re all set for\u00a0a rewarding and fulfilling career.\u00a0 But would\u00a0you\u00a0agree?\u00a0 Impostor...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1174,"featured_media":1787,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[748],"tags":[10,8],"class_list":["post-1786","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-archive","tag-career-planning","tag-self-awareness"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/2020\/04\/red-human-face-monument-on-green-grass-field-189449.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1786","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1174"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1786"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1786\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1787"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1786"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1786"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1786"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}