Is imposter syndrome hindering your job search?
HR professionals always recommend avoiding jobs you're not qualified for and applying for those that match your skills and experiences. Although that's a wise recommendation, it can get in your head too much.
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Over time, it may start sounding like ''only apply for jobs where you meet 100 percent of criteria,'' which is rarely possible. In reality, you will never fully meet all job requirements, but that's okay because humans are more than job ad bullet points.
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You may think, ''Well, that's easy to say''. Indeed, it's much easier to say you shouldn't worry as much about whether you're completely compatible with a job opening than do it.
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So many people feel like frauds during their job search, causing them to miss out on many stellar opportunities. Instead of giving it a try, they disqualify themselves and decide they're not good enough.
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These job seekers often don't know they're struggling with Imposter Syndrome. Here are the top five signs you might be experiencing it too.
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1. When reading a job ad, not possessing one skill, or not having the same years of experience the company expects is enough to convince you that you're not qualified. However, you can use your resume to stand out and show recruiters why you could be the best match for the role.
2. You always think there will be better candidates whose job applications will outweigh yours. But avoid focusing on others. Instead, think about what you bring to the table and highlight that.
3. You're procrastinating. Since you often feel inadequate and worry the recruiters will discard your job application, you delay the job search and continuously leave it for another day. But the more you send resumes, the more confident you'll feel.
4. You're afraid of interacting with other industry professionals and posting on LinkedIn. That's because you fear others will think you don't deserve to be there or have nothing worth saying. Yet, this could help you show your skills and find your next employer.
5. You're terrified of failure. But that is part of the process and will help you learn and discover your strengths.
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?Have you ever felt like an imposter during your job search? How did you combat it?
Student
1 年Thanks for sharing
Personal Caregiver Seeking a role in an administrative role.
1 年What advice do you have for job seekers who have opinion family members who tell you “don’t say never to going back to an industry?” I for instance left the hospitality industry after working for six years in college due to it making me overwhelmed and very unhappy?
Attorney I Certified Executive and Professional Coach
1 年I get regular coaching on challenges I face, even though I’m a credentialed coach myself. We all need a boost from time to time.