Express Employment Profesisonals Bylined Articles
August 2023: Facing Imposter Syndrome
Facing Impostor Syndrome
Provided by Deb Gray, Owner of Express Employment Professionals Pittsburgh West
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Do you ever feel like an impostor at work? You’re not alone, and you may be experiencing impostor syndrome, a phenomenon in which individuals may feel self-doubt, unqualified to do their jobs or question if who they are and what they are capable of is less valuable than how others perceive them. According to the International Journal of Behavior Science, 70% of adults face this at least once in their lifetime.
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Leaders are not immune to impostor syndrome and its effects. Whether you experience it yourself or an employee shares their feelings of inadequacy with you, here are some tactics to overcome this challenge.
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Name The Source of the Syndrome
Impostor syndrome can arise from any number of factors or seemingly out-of-the-blue. The first step to overcome feelings of low self-esteem, inadequacy, or insecurity, is to identify the source and address the root cause. Trace this emotional response to see if it leads to a particular interaction or instance, then use your findings to offer direction toward actionable results. Have you experienced failure recently? Did you receive negative feedback? Has a new weakness recently come to your attention? Examine if there are changes you can implement to avoid triggering these feelings in the future.
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Train for Strengths and Weaknesses
Training can increase your confidence and ease your negative perception of yourself. Even if you can’t trace your impostor syndrome to its source, you can reaffirm your skills and abilities by further training your strengths and tackling your weaknesses head-on. Doing something is often better than doing nothing, so if you’re looking for a place to start, consider learning a new skill or expanding your knowledge base. Ask your supervisor for input on your knowledge gaps and speak with your colleagues about trainings they have completed for ideas.
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Ask for Help and Use Feedback to Your Advantage
One of the most challenging yet impactful things to do at work can be asking for help. Fear of being perceived as incapable of performing your role can be debilitating. But, when you’re facing impostor syndrome, it may be well worth getting over the fear for your own good. A trusted peer can act as a sounding board to listen to your concerns and offer feedback on your abilities. Your supervisor may be willing to act as a mentor to help you find new ways to grow. You may receive amazing feedback that only validates your skills, or great constructive criticism that can guide your next steps. When negative feedback comes, avoid falling into a pattern of despair and aim to use it as a growing opportunity to combat impostor syndrome. Impostor syndrome is a challenge that can incite many deeply personal questions and feelings, so take every opportunity to soak up knowledge and support when it’s offered.
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Express Employment Professionals Pittsburgh West has two offices serving Allegheny and Beaver County. Our Robinson Township office is located at 6200 Steubenville Pike, Robinson Township, PA 15136 and serves the Allegheny West area. Our Monaca office is located at 699 Pennsylvania Avenue, Monaca, PA 15061. Local businesses and applicants are encouraged to stop by, visit expresspros.com/wpittsburghpa, or call 412.494.2000.
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July 2023: On the Job Search: Watch Out for Recruiter Scams
On the Job Search: Watch Out for Recruiter Scams
Provided by Deb Gray, Owner of Express Employment Professionals Pittsburgh West
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If you're looking for a job opportunity and it seems too good to be true, maybe it is. There are fraudsters out there who wish to take advantage of the hard work you've put in to get the next stage of your career. Employment scams rose from third riskiest in 2021 to second riskiest in 2022, according to a recent report from the Better Business Bureau. Here are some things to be on the lookout for during your job search to avoid falling for a job scam.
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Research the person who contacted you. If you suspect the person contacting you could be a scammer, look them up. A quick online search should reveal if they work for the company they claim to represent and look up the company the recruiter is representing to make sure it’s legit.
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They Ask for Sensitive Information
Recruiters are trained to ask job candidates certain questions to produce a well-rounded overview for hiring managers. During a candidate screening, questions on your recent work experience, education, and hard and soft skills are appropriate to ask. If you are asked to give personal information such as your social security number or tax identification number during the interview process, this should generate some concern and could be a scam. Most businesses will only request personal information once you have accepted an offer and are onboarded as an employee.
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They Request Money
Most jobseekers and recruiters will discuss compensation, but that should be the extent of the discussion during the interview. A company should never request a credit card number to hire you, and you should never pay for training unless the industry is government-regulated and requires a license. Giving out personal information puts you at risk of identity theft. If the job posting includes a form to fill out that does not appear to be legitimate or requests more than just basic contact information, be aware that you may be the victim of a phishing scam.
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They Have too Many Communications Errors
Job descriptions and postings are often written by hiring managers and HR personnel, who must ensure professionalism in communication. If a job description contains grammatical errors, applicants should be cautious. Additionally, check the email address, which should be a business email account versus a free email provider or personal account.
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It’s important that victims of job scams report them to:
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Better Business Bureau—BBB.org or BBB.org/scamtracker.
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Federal Trade Commission (FTC)—reportfraud.ftc.gov or call (877) FTC-Help.
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Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)—ic3.gov/complaint.
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Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre—antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or (888) 495-8501.
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You can always trust that you are in good hands when you team with Express for your job search. For more information about how we can help you find your next job, contact your local Express office today.
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Express Employment Professionals Pittsburgh West has two offices serving Allegheny and Beaver County. Our Robinson Township office is located at 6200 Steubenville Pike, Robinson Township, PA 15136 and serves the Allegheny West area. Our Monaca office is located at 699 Pennsylvania Avenue, Monaca, PA 15061. Local businesses and applicants are encouraged to stop by, visit expresspros.com/wpittsburghpa, or call 412.494.2000.