My Life Is Impostor Syndrome

My Life Is Impostor Syndrome Last year I worked for about nine months at BambooHR. For the first three months solid I experienced full-on impostor syndrome. This was weird because I thought I was pretty hot stuff (an abundance of self-confidence is a theme in my life), but I found myself questioning what I was doing there, why I was there, why in the world did they hire me, was I adequate enough, and would they somehow figure out I wasnt the right hire and let me go. It was stressful. Here I am, on the other side (of having a job), and I dont have imposter syndrome anymore. I am back in my comfort zone, where I definitely fit. I was in Belgium last week speaking at a tech conference with 1,800 attendees and I didnt feel like an imposter. Instead, I felt like an expert. I have authored three books, thirty three Pluralsight courses, and years of blog posts and articles. I was in my comfort zone. Ive also been immersed in JibberJobber design and product management, which I love. I dont feel like an imposter here. Having been here for now 13+ years, I know what needs to be done, I know where I can add value, and I am working my way through my long list of stuff to do. I have also done three more soft skill courses at Pluralsight since I got let go from BambooHR. One was on having difficult conversations, one was on creating innovative teams, and one was on how to be a leader when you dont have a leadership title. I dont feel like an impostor there. Why did I feel like an imposter at BambooHR? I have a friend who is excellent at what she does. She excels in so many areas, but her real specialty is in software quality assurance. She has a masters degree in software QA!   Shes about to change jobs and told me that she is nervous about the new job. Will she do well? Will she deliver value? Listening to her talk about her concerns is funny because she is awesome, and will do well. But she is already dealing with impostor syndrome. I have no doubt she will do exceptionally well, but she does. This impostor syndrome thing is weird. It is like a mental wedge that causes us to doubt ourselves, and to question what we know we should do. Perhaps it has more to do with working on a new team and being in a new role and in a new industry than it does with what our expertise is. Perhaps we dont understand that maybe there are others that could do the job as well as we could, maybe better, but we were chosen for a reason. Maybe we are a better cultural fit, maybe we have proven we have the right values, or a certain technical ability we are more of the whole package than someone we are comparing ourselves to. Maybe, just maybe, we were lucky. We were in the right place at the right time and said yes while someone better wasnt available. That doesnt mean that we shouldnt be in the role. This whole life is about progress and learning and growing. Allow yourself, in your role where you feel like an impostor, to grow into the role. That takes time and practice and showing up. And eventually, you wont feel like an impostor anymore. When that happens, look for the new people, and figure out how you can help them feel like they fit, too. Impostor syndrome is more real than I realized, but you need to work through the self-doubt and get to work. You were chosen for a reason do your job, do your best, and grow. One day youll have the epiphany that indeed, you are not an impostor. You are exactly where you should be. My Life Is Impostor Syndrome Last year I worked for about nine months at BambooHR. For the first three months solid I experienced full-on impostor syndrome. This was weird because I thought I was pretty hot stuff (an abundance of self-confidence is a theme in my life), but I found myself questioning what I was doing there, why I was there, why in the world did they hire me, was I adequate enough, and would they somehow figure out I wasnt the right hire and let me go. It was stressful. Here I am, on the other side (of having a job), and I dont have imposter syndrome anymore. I am back in my comfort zone, where I definitely fit. I was in Belgium last week speaking at a tech conference with 1,800 attendees and I didnt feel like an imposter. Instead, I felt like an expert. I have authored three books, thirty three Pluralsight courses, and years of blog posts and articles. I was in my comfort zone. Ive also been immersed in JibberJobber design and product management, which I love. I dont feel like an imposter here. Having been here for now 13+ years, I know what needs to be done, I know where I can add value, and I am working my way through my long list of stuff to do. I have also done three more soft skill courses at Pluralsight since I got let go from BambooHR. One was on having difficult conversations, one was on creating innovative teams, and one was on how to be a leader when you dont have a leadership title. I dont feel like an impostor there. Why did I feel like an imposter at BambooHR? I have a friend who is excellent at what she does. She excels in so many areas, but her real specialty is in software quality assurance. She has a masters degree in software QA!   Shes about to change jobs and told me that she is nervous about the new job. Will she do well? Will she deliver value? Listening to her talk about her concerns is funny because she is awesome, and will do well. But she is already dealing with impostor syndrome. I have no doubt she will do exceptionally well, but she does. This impostor syndrome thing is weird. It is like a mental wedge that causes us to doubt ourselves, and to question what we know we should do. Perhaps it has more to do with working on a new team and being in a new role and in a new industry than it does with what our expertise is. Perhaps we dont understand that maybe there are others that could do the job as well as we could, maybe better, but we were chosen for a reason. Maybe we are a better cultural fit, maybe we have proven we have the right values, or a certain technical ability we are more of the whole package than someone we are comparing ourselves to. Maybe, just maybe, we were lucky. We were in the right place at the right time and said yes while someone better wasnt available. That doesnt mean that we shouldnt be in the role. This whole life is about progress and learning and growing. Allow yourself, in your role where you feel like an impostor, to grow into the role. That takes time and practice and showing up. And eventually, you wont feel like an impostor anymore. When that happens, look for the new people, and figure out how you can help them feel like they fit, too. Impostor syndrome is more real than I realized, but you need to work through the self-doubt and get to work. You were chosen for a reason do your job, do your best, and grow. One day youll have the epiphany that indeed, you are not an impostor. You are exactly where you should be.

What are the Best, Worst, Highest and Lowest Paid Jobs

What are the Best, Worst, Highest and Lowest Paid Jobs Just how happy are you at your current job? Do you feel your  salary is  generous, or are you underpaid? However you view your current occupation, its always  helpful to compare your situation to others  for a greater understanding  of your career. Maybe its time for a career change? Just be sure you dont choose a bizarre occupation such as Egg Smeller or a Shark Tank Cleaner. This infographic (courtesy of JobZoo) shows the reality of jobs in these modern times.  Which are the most desirable, unpopular and the best and worst paid? Takeaways: The best paid job in the UK is head of major  organisation with a highest average of £114,450 pa. The second highest paid job is aircraft pilot at £74,442 pa. 80% of people reading this are dissatisfied  with their jobs is that true? Let us know in the comments! 29% of graphic designers are self employed. Are you your own boss? Want to be paid to be a zombie? You can at Tower Bridge, London for up to £30,000 a year. The most unpopular job title is IT Director. RELATED: What Are the Safest Jobs in a Bad Economy?

A Little Laughter Doesnt Hurt The Most Read Posts of 2013 Marla Gottschalk

A Little Laughter Doesnt Hurt The Most Read Posts of 2013 Marla Gottschalk The close of another year always brings a moment of reflection. So many things come to mind â€" the challenge of workplace engagement, the need for truly inspiring managers, how loving our work drives us forward. This year there was a good deal of attention focused upon accepting ourselves for who we really are, and learning to transact those strengths into fulfillment at work. I feel hopeful that we have reached an inflection point â€" where individual differences will be embraced and valued. When we have the opportunity to share the best of ourselves at work, great things can happen. Engagement can soar and we feel a much needed sense of connection. Transparency continued to be a guiding theme. Whether we were considering how we manage our time or developing our own personal brand, honesty seems to be the policy of choice. As such, we should feel free to not only embrace who we really are â€"   but our mistakes, as well.   On a final note, humor is still, and should always remain a priority â€"   as #5   illustrates. It seems that the option for a good laugh, is still a very handy workplace tool. Below are the 5 posts that received the most activity (views + shares) at The Office Blend during 2013.   Ive also included a second Top 5 list â€" my favorite posts from around the web. Id like to thank all of you for supporting The Office Blend, with your time (and shares) in 2013. Happy New Year to you and yours! Top 5 posts: How Not to Manage an Introvert Brand Yourself as a High Potential The Ugly Truth About Time Management Why We Should Still Practice the 70-20-10 Rule 5 of the Funniest Workplace Commercials of All Time Some remarkable posts from around the web: Three Tips for Overcoming Your Blind Spots, John Dame and Jeffrey Gedmin, HBR. What Losing My Job Taught Me About Leading, Douglas Conant, HBR Googles Quest to Build a Better Boss, Adam Bryant, The New York Times How to Sell Ideas Like Gladwell, Jonah Berger, LinkedIn. Always, Always, Always Show Up, Whitney Johnson, HBR. What are you striving for at work in 2014? Share your hopes and goals. Dr. Marla Gottschalk is an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist and coach.   Read more of her posts at LinkedIn.

How to Give Employees the Workplace They Want

How to Give Employees the Workplace They Want How do you win the war for talent? A question all the top dogs continue to  ask themselves and one of the biggest issues facing the industry. In the eyes of a futurist, it’s all about the employee experience. To win the war you need to give employees the workspaces they want, the tools they crave and a culture they can celebrate at all times. We speak to  Jacob Morgan, an  author,  speaker  and  futurist  to learn how  he helps organizations  and individuals around the world understand how the world of work is changing, how we’re going to be impacted by it and what we should all be doing as a result of it. Have a listen to the interview below, keep reading for a summary of the questions and be sure to subscribe to the  Employer Branding Podcast. In this episode you’ll learn: Who Jacob is and if hes  from the future or not An in-depth look at his book The Employee Experience Advantage If employee experience is just another buzzword or if it actually has value What employee experience has to do with employer branding, and why you need to embrace it How to build employee experience through consumer-grade technology How to use culture to maximize  your employer brand efforts Why you need to build your workspace with your employees in mind The top 3 trends shaping employee experience right now How Cisco, Salesforce, Microsoft, LinkedIn, and Accenture are leading innovation within employee experience How significant employee experience is in terms of ROI What the future of employee experience is in the eyes of a futurist Connect with Jacob on Twitter and subscribe to the podcast on  iTunes.

Resume Format Template

Resume Format TemplateIf you have a resume that needs to be updated, then you need to get a resume format template. There are many places online where you can find free templates, but you don't want to take the chance of sending out a sloppy, out of date document. You need to make sure that you use a format that is both easy to read and easy to customize.The first thing you want to do is add new skills that have been learned. An example of this would be a recent job you have had. If you have a position now where you have done something different than your prior position then you need to write down what your previous position was and how you learned about it.Your summary of skills should contain information about what you have done before and what you plan to do in the future. For example, if you held the position of a scheduler for three years, then put that information in your summary of skills. If you have been working as a truck driver now for eight months, then you might want to note that information in your summary of skills. The important thing to remember here is that you are listing your new skills and making sure that they are stated in your summary of skills so that employers will know what you can do.The next thing you want to do is organize your skill information in order of how important they are to your career. This is referred to as a priority list. You may decide that you want to focus on your education first, or on an interest like photography or sports. Or you may just put in the skills that you are good at and that will help you get the job.After you organize your current job and your new skills, you are going to need to give a little bit of information about yourself. This includes your contact information and a basic biography. There are many ways to do this, but if you want your resume format template to be professional then you might want to include one that has some information included in it. If you don't want to include information in it then that is okay too.The last thing you want to do is make sure that you get your resume format template to fit into the overall look and feel of your resume. That means that you need to include your name, your contact information, and a little bit of information about you. Your resume template needs to look like you are showing off your expertise in a particular field, so having your name on your resume is not going to show off how knowledgeable you are.There are many things you can do to put information about yourself into your resume, but the best thing to do is put your current skills and education on the top of the list. Then focus on those skills and your education at the bottom. When you have listed all of your skills and you are done with your summary of skills, you will have more information to work with in order to write a more professional looking resume.Following this advice will allow you to easily create a resume format template that will help you with your career. You should take advantage of your skills and your education and then put those skills and education in your resume format template so that you can get your resume read by employers.

If You Want Guaranteed Employability, Maybe Become a Nurse

If You Want Guaranteed Employability, Maybe Become a Nurse 8 Flares 8 Flares #184312638 / gettyimages.com According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the nursing field is expected to grow by 19% between now and the year 2022, which is much faster than average. It’s also a field with one of the highest earning potentials with RNs earning, on average, more than $65K per year. (Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook) The Wall Street Journal says that there is still a massive amount of opportunity available at the entry level of the nursing field, though the same article talks about how the opportunities for career advancement are starting to wane. Many nurses are finding themselves stagnating in the middle of their fields, particularly those who are employed at private medical offices (as opposed to hospitals, where the ladder is still relatively available to climb). So what do you do? You want to make sure that you have a good job and, if you’ve been out of work for a while, you’re probably looking at changing careers. How do you ensure not only your own employability within the nursing field but your advancement as well? 1. Get The Right Degree While lower level nursing degrees are available (you can still, for example, get an associate’s degree in nursing), LPN jobs are largely being split up between assistants and RNs. It’s worth taking the time to get your bachelor’s degree. 2. Switch to a New Specialty Are you already an RN but want to specialize in a different field of nursing? For example, have you spent the last ten years as a pediatric nurse but now you think there are better opportunities in cardiac or intensive care units? Go back to school to get your bachelor’s degree. Certain schools offer specialized course offerings, such as the accelerated  programs at gmc.edu,  that are designed to accommodate RNs with already busy work schedules who want to explore new specialties within their field. The wider your nursing experience and education, the more employable you will be and the more opportunities for advancement will be available to you. 3. Refresh Your Knowledge It’s easy to assume, if you’ve been on the job for a while, that the process for moving up or even laterally is the same as it was when you got your first job. This isn’t true! Hiring practices change. For example, some employers are checking out potential employees’ online reputationsâ€"looking at Facebook profiles, blogs, etc. “Bone up” on what’s expected of today’s new hires. Have you felt called to serve as a nurse or other medical professional? What did you do to ensure your employability and advancement?

Defending Yourself Throughout Your Career - CareerAlley

Defending Yourself Throughout Your Career - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. We can often fall into the trap of thinking that if we dont seize and accept every single opportunity, we are failing to make the most of our careers. Of course, taking a direct approach with purpose can help us achieve more than we ever thought possible. But its also important to never let this open mind impede you, especially when encountering difficulties you might not have bargained for. Like it or not, you will have to defend yourself throughout your career. For most, this will only be a small matter, to rectify now and then. Tweet This Like it or not, you will have to defend yourself throughout your career. For most, this will only be a small matter, to rectify now and then. Disputing an HR claim might come up after an insensitive and clumsy joke went awry but had little venom in it, for example. But for some, defending themselves within their career is much more prominent than they might like to admit. Lets see how those people could help themselves, or how those who are tired of being taken advantage of could potentially rectify this situation. We hope the following advice helps you tremendously. Know Your Rights Pore over your contract to understand your necessary obligations. But also your rights. Understand your general workers rights, what the benefits of a union could provide for you, and how you can dispute certain unfair treatment. For example, you might be heavily encouraged to not cause a fuss over wrongful dismissal. That doesnt mean you should. But those who are unaware that they can fight this often will not, or feel as though their testimony will not matter. Knowing your rights is important. When you know the legal parameters you operate within, you know exactly how to fight back, or to ensure things operate smoothly. For example, an excellent employment attorney can help you dispute claims relating to a personal injury, helping you claim the compensation you actually deserve. This can prevent mistreatment from being swept under the rug. Thats very important. Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay Use The Shield Of Professionalism It can often be tempting to forge connections with people at work and try to network overbearingly. But its important to know that people in glass houses always need to open the door. Those thinking of using you for career advancement, of taking your expressed ideas and running with them, or undermining your authority because you have left no sense of personal mystery can leave you in a vulnerable situation. Always use the shield of professionalism as your personality at work. This can help you avoid false situations being reported to HR, it can help you maintain your professional reputation, and it can also help you seem stronger than you might be. Theres no reason to give everything away. Know Your Worth Knowing your rights is essential, and knowing your worth is the natural follow-up. Dont be afraid to look around for more competitive packages at other firms. Understand that your worth is in flux, and so attending placement and training courses. Dont allow other staff members to talk down to you without reported repercussion. Know your worth. Its essential to doing right by yourself. With these tips, we hope you feel stronger in your lifelong employment. What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search