I feel like I've always had some amount of imposter syndrome, throughout school I really never felt apart of anything or like I was good enough. My previous job was ok, I felt secure in my knowledge and people looked up to me. My new job however, I feel myself slipping back into this clueless / funny typecast and I hate it. Only one person actually asks me for my input / work, it feels like everyone else only talks to me to put me down or ask me about things I'm not required to know, and when I don't have an answer I'm being judged. Recently I even had a good chat with a coworker about something I did, and as he's complimenting me another person comes in and shits on it. Today my boss came up to a group of us and called me out for doing something stupid, in a playful manner to make it seem like we're all buddies. It just really hit me and now I feel like never talking to anyone again. Anyone else been in this situation before 

Same  Imposter syndrome 24/7.

I think most normal humans experience imposter syndrome quite frequently. I'm 16 years into my career and still feel it regularly.

8 minutes ago, 50thStateofMind said:

I think most normal humans experience imposter syndrome quite frequently. I'm 16 years into my career and still feel it regularly.

I've worked in a bank for the past 8 years. I can no longer take it, and I am now applying for these companies that curate music playlists for businesses. I am experiencing the WORST imposter syndrome applying for something I have no experience in it. Despite basically living the job daily as my hobby. 

 

Btw OP I feel like you're being too hard on yourself. But if it's really bothering you a lot, speak to your manager about it, hopefully they create a safe space for you to talk honestly. 

Edited September 17, 2025Sep 17 by Raphy

people tend to mistake my humor/friendliness for ineptitude sometimes as well. 

 

i think you need to show some bipolarness in your approach to work. continue to be friendly, be kind. but some days show up to work and be anti-social; very focused on work. throw in some sigh and huffs. if they ask to go to lunch say no i can't i really need to focus on this. just give them glimpses of "oh okay this guy takes his work seriously"

I was once at a job where I was just soaking in as much info as I could, so obviously I'd mess up every now and then but I accepted that it was part of the learning journey. Once in a while, one specific coworker would poke fun at mistakes that I'd make in front of the team and even though it was in jest, it hurt and I'd dwell on it for a long time. 

 

I don't really have a solution but to say that when I look back on that experience, it becomes a blip in the overall journey. Hopefully your confidence is built up over time and wherever you find yourself in the future, it's not in an environment where they look down or speak to you condescendingly. And hopefully you have actually nice coworkers like the one you mentioned who are respectful and see the value in what you do. I personally embrace being the "clueless one" at a new job because you're still adjusting and understanding the process which takes time and getting to know people.

20 minutes ago, Pikachoo said:

i think you need to show some bipolarness in your approach to work. continue to be friendly, be kind. but some days show up to work and be anti-social; very focused on work. throw in some sigh and huffs.

 

 

**** them all, this bullshit happens everywhere and all the dickheads that behave like that can rot.

Horrible people, as if work itself doesn't suck enough.

 

 

2 hours ago, TedLasso said:

Anyone else been in this situation before 

Countless times. A few things I learned from my experience:

 

"Slave of my words, owner of my silence": create a strictly professional distance until you feel comfortable and most importantly, confident. They prey on the weak. However, you're only responsible for what you say or do, not what they understand, so it's on them that they decide to treat you the way they see you. Focus on how you do your job, gain some more knowledge, and let that build your confidence. If you know you're gonna put up a clueless persona right off the bat, be prepared and do a little bit of homework/ double checking before you ask anything.

 

It's not that deep: in most cases this dynamic really isn't more than a social game or "invitation" to join in- meaning, they want you to engage and one-up each other. It's kind of a test to see if you can keep up. Have some one-liners ready.

 

 

Good luck and give yourself some grace.

This is going to sound a little weird, but what helps my imposter syndrome significantly is thinking about how much better my work is than A LOT of my colleagues 

5 hours ago, Pikachoo said:

 

i think you need to show some bipolarness in your approach to work. continue to be friendly, be kind. but some days show up to work and be anti-social; very focused on work. throw in some sigh and huffs. if they ask to go to lunch say no i can't i really need to focus on this. just give them glimpses of "oh okay this guy takes his work seriously"

 

 

                         this type of stuff...just do this more

 

 

You almost exactly described my current situation 

4 hours ago, G.U.Y_Del_Rey said:

You almost exactly described my current situation 

I wish we knew exactly how to get out of it man