What triggers your Imposter Syndrome?
So I know that most of us if not all have imposter syndrome but I'm curious to know as to what you fear you're being fake about. For me it's not really understanding the technology. I work in a tech role and I learn day by day and I get by but if you asked me to author something from scratch, I feel like I'd be fucked big time. Another thing is during meetings sometimes I have no goddamn clue what they're talking about but I nod my head like a dumbass so I dont hold it up with the 1 million plus questions. I say the right things during interviews because I spend a good day googling key words and summarizing the material. I have no idea how I've made it this far without being exposed. TC 130
"Nod my head like a dumbass" the honest imagery did me in LOL. Asking even one question will help you learn tremendously more than you think. You'd also be surprised how many others are in the same clueless boat as you. There can only be one architect for 100 staff. Don't worry there is nothing to expose. If management is good, your "imposterness" is already transparent to them, and they will help you grow so one day you can do it from scratch.
When I state something as fact that is obviously false. Usually I'm pretty good about quick logic & trivia. When things like that happen I feel lucky I already have a job or I'd be booted from an interview.
I try never to state anything as a 100% fact. In my experience you're always going to forget about some stupid edge case that shouldn't happen but someone brings up anyway. It just opens you up to looking like an idiot. Just say "shouldn't", "I believe", "I think", etc.
Not knowing very basic stuff that everybody takes for granted. Or forgetting it. I'm talking about differences between GET/POST, cipher modes, design patterns, etc. I also feel bad when I can't defend my ideas. At that point I feel like no matter what I know I won't be able to convince people to use it. I feel an imposter leader, and even sometimes I feel like my status as a man takes a hit. The latter hurts more than pure technical ignorance because it composes with my insecurities to attract women.
Thanks for sharing this. Feel like I can really relate to this one esp with not knowing basic things. I think that's what hits me hardest
I look young for my age, so I pretty much have imposter syndrome just existing in any business/networking space outside of my org 😅
Sounds like this guy's got middle management written all over him
thanks, sorta but no I'm not middle management, just individual contributor. I don't think I'd be able to handle a management role.
The fact that I’m self taught. And when Stanford bros wear their Stanford bro sweaters. It’s a good reminder of how unrefined my family is
They’ll never understand true grit though, and that shows in the job. Regardless of where you came from, you can’t fake hard work.
Talking to sales engineers who are highly specialized and know their product inside and out, and expect me to know the same, when I've only been hands on for a week during a POC
When someone who's tool I have to use says everything looks like a nail when you are a hammer. Then build me more damn tools
promotion, I’ve been promoted to senior at two different companies and took downlevels when switching companies because i felt i lucked into the promotion and everyone thinks i suck. Concerned ill never be able to stay senior because of the imposter stress
Getting paged for a stupid mistake that I made. All the self confidence comes crashing down!
Sounds like a real imposter
We forgive you