Battling Imposter Syndrome: A Graduate’s Guide to Feeling Like You Actually Belong

Picture this: You’ve just landed your first job post-graduation. It’s what you’ve been working towards for the past few years – all those lectures, exams, and endless caffeine-fueled study sessions have finally paid off. But now, instead of popping the champagne and patting yourself on the back, a sneaky little voice creeps into your head: “Wait… are you sure you belong here? Did they really hire you?”

Welcome to the joyride that is Imposter Syndrome.

You’re not alone. It’s something many graduates (and, let’s be honest, people in general, me included) experience as they transition from the comfy, predictable world of academia into the rollercoaster ride that is the workplace. Imposter syndrome is that gnawing feeling that somehow you don’t deserve the success you’ve achieved, that you’re just pretending to be competent, and sooner or later, everyone’s going to figure out you’re a fraud. It’s basically like living in constant fear of being unmasked in a Scooby-Doo episode – except there’s no creepy guy in a rubber mask, just you and your overthinking brain.

But here’s the deal: You do deserve to be where you are. You are capable. And you can overcome imposter syndrome. Let’s break it down and tackle that imposter monster head-on, shall we?

What Exactly is Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter syndrome is the persistent belief that you're not as competent as others perceive you to be. Despite external evidence of success (your shiny new degree, your job offer, or that big project you’ve just completed), you feel like a fraud and think you’ve only gotten where you are because of luck, timing, or someone else's mistake.

Sound familiar? If you’re nodding along, don’t worry – this is more common than you think. Research shows that around 70% of people experience imposter syndrome at some point in their careers. Yup, that means even the colleagues you look up to have probably had their own “I-don’t-belong-here” moments too.

Why Graduates Feel Like Imposters

For graduates, imposter syndrome can hit particularly hard. Think about it: You’ve spent years in a structured environment where success is pretty clear-cut – good grades, passing exams, ticking off assignments. Then suddenly, you’re flung into the working world, where the rules are fuzzier, the feedback isn’t as straightforward, and everyone seems like they know what they’re doing (spoiler alert: they don’t).

It’s easy to feel like the only newbie in a sea of seasoned professionals, especially if you're starting in an industry where you don’t have much experience yet. Add to that the pressures of finding a job in a competitive market (looking at you, fellow grads!), and imposter syndrome can creep in faster than your student loan repayments.

But here’s the thing: feeling like an imposter doesn’t mean you are one. So, how do we kick these feelings to the curb and start feeling like we actually belong?

Step 1: Recognise the Signs

First things first: You’ve got to call out imposter syndrome when it shows up. Some common signs include:

• Downplaying your achievements: “Sure, I got the job, but they probably hired me because no one else applied.” (This for one is 100% untrue, we all know how competitive the grad market really is!)
• Attributing success to luck: “It wasn’t my skill that got me through that presentation – I just happened to guess the right answers.”
• Fear of being ‘found out’: “Any minute now, someone’s going to realise I don’t know what I’m doing.”
• Perfectionism: You feel like you have to get everything exactly right, and if you don’t, it proves you’re not good enough.

If any of these ring a bell, you’re likely dealing with imposter syndrome. And recognising it is half the battle won!

Step 2: Own Your Achievements

This one’s tricky, especially for us Brits, who are often culturally allergic to "bigging ourselves up." But seriously – you didn’t stumble into success by accident. Think about all the hard work you put in to get where you are. Your degree? That wasn’t handed to you. Your job offer? That wasn’t some fluke. Your skills? You earned them.

Next time you start downplaying your accomplishments, take a moment to stop and list out what you’ve actually done to achieve them. Write it down if you need to. Heck, pin it to your fridge if that helps (or at least your work desk). You’ve earned this.

Step 3: Talk About It (Seriously, Just Spill)

One of the best ways to squash imposter syndrome is to talk about it. Open up to your friends, colleagues, or anyone who’s been in your shoes. You’ll be amazed at how many people will say, “Oh yeah, I’ve felt that way too.” Even seasoned professionals – people who’ve been in the game for years – will likely share stories of feeling out of their depth at some point.

Once you realise you’re not the only one who feels this way, it takes some of the power out of imposter syndrome’s sneaky little hands. Plus, talking about it openly makes the whole experience way less isolating.

Step 4: Reframe Your Thinking

When imposter syndrome strikes, it’s usually because we’re holding ourselves to impossible standards. You think you need to know everything, do everything perfectly, and never make mistakes. But that’s just not realistic.

Instead, start reframing your thinking. Did you make a mistake at work? That doesn’t mean you’re a failure – it means you’re learning. Are there things you don’t know? Of course! You’re new, and no one expects you to have it all figured out on day one (or even day 100 or ever for that matter). Shift your mindset from "I need to be perfect" to "I’m here to learn and grow." And guess what? So is everyone else.

Pro Tip: Whenever those imposter thoughts creep in, counter them with evidence to the contrary. Did you think you’d mess up that big presentation, but actually nailed it? Remind yourself of that. Did you feel out of your depth in that meeting, but ended up contributing a solid idea? Boom. You’ve got this.

Step 5: Celebrate Your Wins – Big and Small

Imposter syndrome often makes you focus on what you haven’t done or what you don’t know. Time to flip that script. Start celebrating your achievements, no matter how small. Did you finish your first project at work? Go you! Did you figure out how to navigate the office coffee machine without breaking it? Amazing (trust me, some people still can’t do that).

By celebrating these wins, you’ll start to build up a backlog of positive experiences that can help drown out the imposter thoughts when they rear their head.

Pro Tip: Create a "win jar." Every time something goes well, write it down and pop it in the jar. When you’re feeling low, open it up and remind yourself of how far you’ve come.

Step 6: Fake It ‘Til You Make It

This isn’t about pretending to be someone you’re not. It’s about showing up, even when you don’t feel 100% confident. Confidence comes from action. The more you take steps forward – even if you feel uncertain – the more your brain starts to believe, “Hey, maybe I can do this after all.”

So next time you’re feeling like an imposter, ask yourself: What would someone who belongs do in this situation? Then go ahead and do that thing. Eventually, your brain will catch up and realise that, yeah, you do belong.

Final Thoughts: You’re Not an Imposter – You’re Just Growing

Imposter syndrome is annoying, sure, but it’s also a sign that you’re stepping outside of your comfort zone. And that’s a good thing. You’re not an imposter – you’re just at the start of a new chapter, learning the ropes, and growing into your potential. So next time that sneaky little voice pops up, remind yourself: If you weren’t ready for this, you wouldn’t be here.

You’ve got this. Keep showing up, keep learning, and pretty soon, that imposter syndrome will be nothing more than a distant memory.