Ask HN: Impostor syndrome that comes from being “rejected” by the industry?

7 points by djellybeans 3 years ago | 3 comments

I feel like a fraud in the tech industry. But I'm not someone who's getting paid well and with a high job title who thinks I don't deserve it.

I'm someone who feels like they've been working like a dog and still not making ends meet, and it's making me think I don't deserve working in the industry in general.

I'm not an inexperienced person struggling to find their first developer job, but have at least a few jobs under my belt as an SWE, and a couple of freelance gigs. Yet most of that stuff I was doing apparently can't help me find a job today. I'm looking like a hard sell now, with the mix of bad skills and bad interviewing.

I am now doubting my abilities and my legitimacy in the field because of all the rejections for jobs at interviews. Is this what impostor syndrome feels like? But most people who say they feel impostor syndrome are actually doing far better than me.

muzani 3 years ago |

It's a tough market now. Rejections are the default, and everyone hiring will be looking for a discount deal.

As compared to last year, I felt like a champion trying to find jobs; nearly every major company in the country would approach me.

So it could just be bad timing. I saw some stats that people who graduate right after the 2008 recession never catch up to the career growth of their peers.

djellybeans 3 years ago | |

I've actually had a tough time since 2016.

Nextgrid 3 years ago | | |

Would you be able to share a resume and a summary of your previous jobs as well as those you were rejected for?