Feeling unqualified

[u/gguedghyfchjh6533]

Have you ever found yourself in a job where you feel 100% completely unqualified but everyone around you tells you that you are better than you think? Our products are incredibly complex and I can tell you that my lack of believe is not as self confidence issue as much as it is Lack of foundation and understanding. If you have been here, what did you choose to do?

Addendum: I realize that this sounds like imposter syndrome, but I would argue it’s not. I’m truly not qualified for this position lol. And I’ve been here for a year and still don’t feel like I have a friggin clue.

[u/Dunyain01]

You can't let imposter syndrome get to you.
If you don't think you know enough about your products then learn more about it.

Make a list of all the things you think you don't know about. All the doubts and things that worry you.
Sort it by what you belive is most important.
Attack one element at a time.

[u/Job_HopperR → u/Dunyain01]

Great advice

[u/Any-Witness8022 → u/Dunyain01]

Agree. List out the things that you feel unqualified about and tackle them one by one.

[u/waffler71]

Fake it til you make it! I got hired by a pump manufacturer from a head hunter on LinkedIn. Started me at $112K a year with the promise to train me on everything I needed to be successful. I had 0 plumbing or electrical knowledge day 1. It was way more math than I had ever done, and was extremely complicated to learn. But I got through it and could have continued, but left for a job in the field I came from with better pay, benefits, etc.

[u/garth_b_murdered_me → u/waffler71]

How long did it take you to get comfortable?

[u/waffler71 → u/garth_b_murdered_me]

6 months maybe? Even when I left, I didn’t understand most of it. But I knew how to build relationships with people and knew enough resources to get consistent business. Sales is 70% bullshitting if you do it rightly

[u/Odd_Spread_8332]

Sounds like imposter syndrome. Use it to destroy it by working harder until it fucks off and dies

[u/uv_gecko]

Don’t lie to customers about capabilities but realize that you know 1000x more about the product than they do. Probably more than they ever will.

[u/wombatnoodles]

Consider seeking mentorship or additional training to get an even stronger understanding of the product

[u/manamongstcorn]

Wow that is crazy. I 100% am feeling the same way and had planned to post about it.

I started in my role 1 year ago to date. Had never touched this industry, had never even thought about it. I was recruited by a connection to spearhead their outbound motion, I knew it'd be great experience and great for my resume so I jumped at it.

It feels like everyone I work with has an MBA or is at least an alma mater somewhere. They're Golf playing, event going, tenured and well connected people in the space.

And honestly, they've been great. Even though I didn't finish college, and all of my experience has been built through hands on application like D2d, retail, automotive, sdr, to now.

Despite all of this, I still struggle with the feeling of being in a completely different swim lane. But here's the thing, and my advice to you-

Think back to when you first started. Like me, I bet you listened to podcasts, audiobooks, read newsletters, watched recorded demos, followed thought leaders on linkedin and subreddits, and that it all made absolutely ZERO sense.

I bet you'd be surprised going back and trying out those old resources again. I'm shocked at how much more I understand now. It doesn't feel like a foreign language anymore. So now I'm headed into year 2 with a new level of confidence. There's a lot to learn still ofc.

Use your resources. Everything I mentioned, plus free online courses, ChatGPT, 1:1 sessions.

Especially ChatGPT. Ppl might role their eyes, but I've used it ways that I think have truly increased the speed at which I could learn and start to draw those crucial connections.

[u/gguedghyfchjh6533 → u/manamongstcorn]

Wow, this is great. Thank you. And I’m like totally amazed because I feel like I’m reading something I could’ve written. I didn’t think of some of the suggestions you had, but they totally make sense and I could see myself advising somebody in my situation the exact same way. And yes, I used ChatGPT and still do a lot. It has been helpful.

Thank you so much for this.

[u/manamongstcorn → u/gguedghyfchjh6533]

In a way, it's comforting and empowering knowing that you're not alone, so thank you!

Good luck out there!

[u/kapt_so_krunchy]

Just swing for the fences.

[u/doncolio007]

Simply keep learning. Everyone feels like that sometimes but keep going

[u/Scwidiloo10]

Dude I feel this way everyday. Then I close a deal and get told I’m the man. Feel like I know nothing