When the promotion you wanted comes with doubts you didn’t expect

Starting a new job can be tough and having a voice in your head convincing you that you’re not qualified only makes it harder. It could be your first job in credit or a promotion that comes after a decade in the field, and you still might find yourself doubting your abilities and feeling out of place.  

In a field like credit management, where each day brings tough decisions and hard conversations, self-doubt can have you second-guessing what used to feel instinctual. “Imposter syndrome is really negative self-talk,” said Tricia Crisman, CBF, accounts recievable specialist at Steelscape (Kalama, WA). “It is about focusing on things that you feel are your weak points or gaps while ignoring or minimizing the work you’ve done and accomplishments.” 

“Imposter syndrome causes people to question their own accomplishments,” said Deana Reynolds, director of credit for Edges Electrical Group (Sacramento, CA). “For example, maybe you recently got a promotion and you’re thrilled at first but inside, you might start to think ‘I’m not actually qualified for the promotion, and once they find out I’ve been fooling them this whole time, I’m going to crash and burn.’” 

Even after years in credit, imposter syndrome can pop up in moments of transition. A new role is an opportunity to grow, and there is usually a learning curve that comes with each new challenge.  

“You might start focusing on the overwhelming number of areas that you feel you need to learn,” said Crisman. “I’m a positive person by nature, so I try and reframe these thoughts as opportunities to learn new systems and industries, rather than moments where I may doubt my abilities.” 

Imposter syndrome may feel like an internal voice pointing out all the areas you’re not qualified, but what that voice doesn’t understand is that a new role is an opportunity. “Nobody knows everything they need to know right out of the gate,” said Reynolds. “So just ask questions because there’s no other way to learn and no one is going to look at you weirdly. People will often not ask questions because they have a fear that by asking them, it shows that they maybe are ignorant on a specific subject. In fact, it’s the complete opposite. I love when my team asks me questions because it shows that they’re trying to figure it out and that they’ve noticed things that maybe need to be fixed.”

Overcoming imposter syndrome when you’ve started a new job takes time. As you become more confident in the day-to-day workflow, you will naturally stop doubting your abilities, but that might not happen overnight.

“You might have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable,” said Brittany Acone, CBA, CICP, credit manager for Seaboard International Forest Products (Nashua, NH). “When you’re moving into more senior roles, you’re facing uncertainty and higher stakes. The discomfort isn’t a sign that you don’t belong there; it just means you’re growing. Growth doesn’t always feel good. It’s going to challenge you for sure. When self-doubt does kick in, remind yourself that even the most successful credit professionals had their first year as a credit manager.” 

For new professionals stepping into the field, imposter syndrome can make it harder to get acclimated and learn the essential skills of the trade. It’s important to not let that feeling keep you from finding your rhythm. 

“For new professionals in any field, I would tell them that you might be surprised at how many successful people have experienced imposter syndrome,” said Acone. “You can talk about it with a trusted colleague, a mentor, your manager or a friend at your company, and you might see that you’re not alone. It’s always nice to hear someone else dealing with the same issues as you. Don’t suppress those feelings, talk about it.” 

The bottom line: It’s important to not let imposter syndrome let you lose sight of your accomplishments. Learning and growing in a new role means accepting that you might not know everything in your first week, but you can’t let that undermine your confidence.