I find everyone else smarter than me. Sometimes it feels like I am not able to see the obvious things or to use technical terms like my colleagues. I have a good degree and I was good at studies all my life. Here at work no one has ever complained about my work but I keep feeling I am not doing things right and feel like a fraud. Many a times I feel I am writing hacky code, don't have in depth knowledge about the product or the tech stack, don't ever think about the challenges. Probably a young kid could do what I do in a better way and companies are overpaying me. I feel like a fraud. There are some people at my workplace who are so intelligent. I wish to be like them. Can anyone help me? Is there a solution. Deep down I know I am above average but here at workplace it feels I am just good at faking things.
Deliberate practice is how you get better. Don’t be completely dependent on work to teach you or give you tasks where you will learn. Build things outside of work and force yourself to struggle.
I will do that thank you
Read this book. Talent is overrated.
You got into fucking Microsoft and you have Impostor Syndrome? I envy you. You have no idea how stupid people are out here. You need to leave Smart People Land and hang out with those who make up the majority of the workforce for a year. IT IS NOT THE SAME. You’ll get it once you’re able to adequately juxtapose the two worlds. Or read Neal Stephenson’s “Anathem”.
Is your manager good and involved with your work? Maybe you could ask for more frequent feedback sessions, above the once or twice a year the company requires. Then you can get more feedback on what to improve and feel better about progress? Many managers are terrible and afraid/lazy to give constructive feedback but hopefully yours is not.
Sadly I am reporting to 1 level up right now so he hasn't got time for everyone under him. But yes I will seek feedback it is a good advice in general. I kind of feel scared asking for feedback because it feels I am bluffing and my bluff is successful and no one really thinks I am not as good as them but if I point it out and if people start looking closely they will know the reality. It's not that I don't finish my tasks on time or anything in particular but this feeling of being lucky doesn't go away
In this case - is there a friendly senior engineer you respect that can give you detailed feedback on some of your code? If the fear is they'll find something someday then I think it is best to beat them to it. If you find any poor code first (with this senior eng) and improve it then you're even more valuable imo.
Listen to podcasts. The solution to all life's problems.
Almost everyone has imposter syndrome here at FB. Even execs confess to feeling vulnerable. It's actually good to an extent because it prevents you from being too comfortable in your status / knowledge. How long have you been in this team? Everyone is different, but I think that if a place doesn't make me feel like an imposter, at least in the first year, I am not in a challenging enough place. So what you feel is very common. I feel like you do on many days even though I am senior (equivalent to Principle at msft). Just be aware and trust the collective feedback from your team about whether you are doing okay or not. And a secret: it's okay if you think you are faking it. As long as the work gets done and you are not making up lies about results no body gives a shit.
Thank you so much. Your reply is really soothing
Find a mentor that can help you. Go to a Women in Tech community meeting. Find that mentor that will help you. You’ve been hired so you got what it takes. Never stop learning. I had the same issue when I joined (more than a decade ago). I was an industry hire but my skills couldn’t match the old timers at MS. I made friends with them and start asking questions and absorb everything I could. After a couple of months, I felt much better. To add to a previous post, you’re not competing with team mates. If you do, you’re in a wrong team. You may think about competition for a promotion and rewards but in fact, you compete against yourself. If you blow your commitments away and let your manager know about it, you’ll get rewarded in consequences. Imposter syndrome happens when you’re outside your comfort zone. It’s a good thing. It means that you’re learning. Keep up the good work and kick ass.
Fake it till you make it :)
That’s how you know you will do well, having imposter syndrome means you’ll be an insecure overachiever which is what a lot of top companies love (mck being one of em).
Don’t be in a place where you have to fake - it will just make you very tired - instead focus on learning- its not a race - you have 20-30 years of work ahead of you- get in an area you like- read much- learn much- once you love a subject- faking vanishes
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Maybe communicate with teammates to figure out the things you feel you're missing out. Maybe they feel the same way about some things you do and you don't even know haha!
I don't want to talk about my insecurities with colleagues. They will think less of me. We are competitors not childhood friends.
You aren’t competing with your teammates, they are there to help one another. Don’t be afraid to ask for advise or help. If you were on my team I’d help you.