What To Do When You Feel You’re Underqualified For Your New Job

So, you find yourself in a sticky situation: You get offered the job of your dreams and you’re over the moon, only to start to feel way out of your depth. Sound familiar?

According to Hays Recruitment, it takes roughly three to six months to settle into a new role, but that doesn’t take away the pressure to meet expectations for those defining first few months.

We understand the fear of feeling like you’re underqualified for a new job. However, having worked with a range of coaches & mentors, we know that it’s less about being underqualified and more about feeling overwhelmed.

We’ve compiled our top tips for what to do when you’re feeling underqualified for your new role, so that you can begin to flourish in your new job, whatever the career or sector.

Go easy on yourself & stay calm

First things first, if you’re feeling underqualified for your new job, stay calm.

At times, we can be our own worst critic; don’t forget that you were hired for the job in the first place. You came out on top, you beat all other candidates, you stood out! There is no doubting that you impressed them with your experience and skills. Roughly 20-30% of all job applicants go on to secure an interview, and of these, only 39% make it to the final stage interviews. Securing the job itself is something to be proud of.

Succeeding in your career takes lots of hard work and doesn’t happen overnight. Your first few weeks & months in a new job will always be daunting. Be honest with your colleagues when you need support, it’s to be expected as you get to grips with your new company and role.

As well as staying calm, always remind yourself of the positive traits and skills you possess, to reinforce a positive view of yourself. It’s best to nip the negative thoughts and self-doubt in the bud, rather than getting stuck in a perpetuating cycle. By focusing on your positive attributes, you’ll naturally grow in confidence.

Reassure yourself that you are more than qualified for the job, but most importantly – go easy on yourself!

Remember the benefits of pushing yourself out of your comfort zone

Oftentimes, periods of extreme growth come from testing times, when we feel way out of our depth. Yale research suggests that if you’re safe in your comfort zone, you’re not learning, so relish in this opportunity to test and push yourself.

Take time to fully understand your new role and what is expected of you, but why not also take this opportunity to learn more about other areas of the business? Spend time sitting with colleagues from another team, learn how other departments operate. All these extra elements will make you stand out and take you out of your comfort zone.

Every business has its own way of doing things. After taking time to learn the company inside out, you’ll have demonstrated going above and beyond what is expected, and will feel more confident and qualified in return.