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The Show Notes:
4 Steps to Overcome Imposter Syndrome When You're Applying to New Jobs

In this episode, I’m going to share four steps you can take to overcome imposter syndrome when you’re applying to new jobs. You’ve already got a ton of relevant experience. I’m just going to help you highlight it.

When you are serious enough about transitioning that you start doing a real job search, it’s easy to become paralyzed with fear that you don’t have what it takes. I’m going to show why you already do – and why you don’t have to stay stuck. 

1 - Understand What Role is Actually Needed

One of the best tips I have for overcoming imposter syndrome is to stop focusing on the actual job title so much. It might sound fancy and totally out of your reach, but just keep reading. Look at the job description and analyze those bullet points. Then ask yourself, in all of the many roles I’ve had as a teacher, what have I done that is similar? You may need to ask a teacher friend you trust with this process. Look at the many hats you’ve worn and make the match between your experience and the job description. Then all you have to do is own it.

2 - Get a Clear Picture of Your Strengths & Skill Sets

A perfect exercise to help you overcome imposter syndrome is making a simple three-column chart. Here you can list your roles, responsibilities, and relationships you’ve had during your teaching career. Here’s the thing. This exercise can feel super challenging for teachers because it makes them feel boastful or almost braggy. Let me reframe this for you. The truth is you are simply developing a clearer picture of how successful you are in those roles, responsibilities, or relationships. It’s just you being authentic.

3 - Translate Your Skillset to Match the Job Description

It may take a minute to start to see your experience in different terms, but here are some examples. If you’ve been tracking students’ progress, assignments, or even attendance on some type of platform, you’ve been using a Learning Management System (LMS). You just didn’t know it.

You’ve managed large groups of students and helped make your customers (parents) very happy. You also are probably skilled in project management. This is just taking a big project or goal and breaking it down into smaller steps and benchmarks. Take note of special problem-solving skills and creativity you’ve used to meet the needs of students. Believe it or not, this is all relevant experience.

Have you ever coordinated a program? Led a committee? Created support programs? Managed volunteers for a school event? Hosted a fundraiser? Trained newer teachers? You’re just developing a clearer picture of what you already do and how successful you are at those things.

4 - Close Skill Gaps By Learning New Skills

Want to know a secret? A lot of job descriptions you will come across are looking for a unicorn. There’s just not a super high chance that any one applicant will check off all the boxes they say they’re looking for.

But if you notice you’ve got a skills gap, then all you have to do is find a way to fill it! Start by talking with someone who is already in that field or role. Find a course to take like From Teacher to Instructional Designer that can equip you with the best knowledge and resources.

When you take time to teach yourself new skills, you demonstrate that you are someone who takes initiative and doesn’t make excuses. It shows that you are curious and motivated to work in this field. Best of all, it shows that you are a life-long learner.

So how do you overcome imposter syndrome when you are applying to these new jobs? You don’t. Because you don’t have to. All you have to do is examine your experience and strengths a little more carefully. Don’t sell yourself short.

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Resources Mentioned in the Show

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Ali Parrish

Educator Opportunities Expert

Ali went from teaching to ed-tech training, instructional design, learning strategy, project management and more. She now directs a learning resources and materials production agency.

She created Teacher Transition in an effort to help other teachers navigate their path confidently from the classroom to their next dream job. Ali cheers on educators for the amazing gifts they develop and contribute in the classroom and in the world far beyond the classroom.

What’s your superpower? Teaching.

Let her show you how you can put your skills to work in so many settings beyond the classroom.

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