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#BeYou | Imposter Syndrome

1 May 2023

#BeYou | Imposter Syndrome

‘​
Imposter Syndrome’ is where professionals experience feelings of doubt in themselves or feeling like a fraud in their role, despite a career journey and plenty of evidence of their past achievements to contradict these thoughts.

Imposter Syndrome is a common phenomenon that affects many people, even those who have achieved significant success in their lives or careers. It’s characterised by feelings of self-doubt, and inadequacy, and can sometimes appear as a persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud, even with evidence of one’s competence. The danger of impostor syndrome can lead to you not believing in yourself enough to move onto the next step in your career journey or if invited to an interview, you feel like you’re unable to prove yourself.

The truth is, at first, any change will feel uncomfortable. If you fail to push yourself to grow or take the next step in your career, you might find yourself in the same role for longer than you should be.

This is where recruitment agencies can help. We have plenty of experience with professionals in similar roles and will know your capabilities compared to other professionals also available in the market. We will also know the skills and experience hiring managers are looking for as well as the values and culture of the companies.

If you feel imposter syndrome may be sneaking up on you during your job hunt here are some tips to try and beat Imposter Syndrome to confidentially #BeYou.

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Recognise the signs…

The first step in overcoming imposter syndrome is to recognise when you’re experiencing it. Common signs include feeling like you’re not good enough, doubting your abilities, and worrying that you’ll be exposed as a fraud.

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Focus on your achievements…

Make a list of your strengths and accomplishments and keep it updated. This will help you see that you are continually capable and competent. You could even include the outcome of these and the impact they had.

​

Challenge your negative self-talk…

Whenever you hear that negative inner voice telling you that you’re not good enough, challenge it. Remind yourself of your achievements and the hard work you put in to get where you are today. Remind yourself of the journey you have taken and what you accomplished to get to where you are now.

​

Talk to someone…

Sharing your feelings with someone you trust can help you feel less alone and more supported. Sometimes we can feel better when we get something out in the open, even if that person is just there to listen and doesn’t offer any advice on how to overcome your worries.

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Learn to accept compliments…

Many people with imposter syndrome struggle to accept compliments, believing they don’t deserve them. Practice accepting compliments graciously and learn to believe them. This can be difficult and doesn’t just have to be within the professional world. Try it with your friends and family until you become more comfortable and confident in accepting them.

The key takeaway? Remember that imposter syndrome is a common experience that many successful people face. By recognising it and challenging your negative self-talk, you can overcome it and realise the full potential of being you.

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Ready to start your job search? Let us help guide you. Start a conversation with our team today by emailing your CV to
info@theonegroup.co.uk or visit our
jobs page.

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THE ONE GROUP

Where we're from,
and how we got here

Twenty years of specialist recruitment in the East – and a lot of small decisions that added up.

TOG started in Peterborough in 2004 with a small team and a simple idea: that recruitment is a people business, done best by specialists who stay in their sector long enough to know it properly.

More than two decades on, we've grown into four offices across the East of England and Home Counties. We recruit for finance leaders, HR directors, engineering managers, tech founders, scientists, and the commercial teams that keep businesses running day to day. Between us, we've built up over 258 years of collective recruitment experience across our specialist divisions, and a network of more than 150,000 candidates we've placed, coached, or come to know across two decades in the region.

The founding principle hasn't changed. Recruitment as it should be.

OUR STORY

Key events timeline

2004

Doors open in Peterborough.

Our first office launches with a team of six on Lynch Wood. Cambridge follows the same year, giving us two offices before our first anniversary.

2015

Northampton makes it three.

Our third office opens with a team of five, quickly growing to eleven consultants covering the wider Midlands region.

2017

Peterborough moves across the road.

The team has outgrown the founding office. We move into Arena House on Lynch Wood, big enough for a growing consultant base and the back-office team that supports the whole group.

2018

Cambridge moves too.

Our second office relocates to Cambourne Business Park, giving the growing Cambridge team the space it now needs.

2023

Four offices, three counties, one very good year.

The Hertfordshire & Essex office opens in Potters Bar, extending our footprint into the Home Counties.

In the same year, we're named Business of the Year in Northamptonshire, and Employer of the Year in both Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire at the regional SME Business Awards. Three counties, three panels.

TODAY

Still growing.

Four offices, more than 258 years of collective recruitment experience across our specialist divisions, and a network of over 150,000 candidates.

Same founding principle.

SPECIALISTS BY DESIGN

What we do

We're specialists, not generalists. Every consultant at TOG focuses on one sector and stays in it. Not because it's the only way to do recruitment, but because it's how you build the depth to spot the difference between a strong CV and a strong hire.

It's also why so many of our clients come back to us years, even decades, after a first placement.

01
Accountancy & Finance
→
 02
Human Resources
→
 03
Commercial Office
Administration, customer service, project management and more
→
 04
Technology
→
 05
Engineering & Manufacturing
→
 06
Scientific
→
 07
Sales, Marketing & Creative
→
 08
Executive Search
Across all of the above
→

Beyond the recruitment itself, we produce annual salary guides, regional market reports, and the practical resources our clients and candidates turn to when they want a clearer view of what's happening in their sector.

THE WAY WE WORK

How we work

Four principles show up in every conversation and every process.
01

Be curious.

We stay interested in the market we work in, and in the people who work in it.

02

Keep it human.

We remember your kids' names and know how you take your coffee. That's just how we work here.

03

Make a difference.

We're here to help people build careers they love and businesses they're proud of.

04

Enjoy the ride.

Recruitment is a career, but it should be fun too. If it isn't, we've done something wrong.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

Recruitment
as it should be.

Hire with TOG → Looking for a role →
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