Session: Overcoming imposter syndrome: How to get that job you’re terrified to apply for (and make sure it’s right for you)
Have you ever read a job description and thought, “Wow, that sounds like a great opportunity!” Then you read further and the self-doubt started to creep in? You start to think, “There’s no way I’d qualify with all of these requirements. I can’t do it.”
Particularly for women and members of underrepresented groups in tech (or anyone who struggles with imposter syndrome), it can be easy to succumb to self-doubt and let potentially life-changing opportunities pass us by.
It’s time to quiet that internal narrative and instead, get organized! I will guide participants through a method of interview preparation that builds confidence and arms you with skills and evidence to tackle the process. This involves a step-by-step walkthrough of what to look for in a job posting, how to effectively craft your own practice interview questions, and tips for tying your experiences to each one of the job requirements. Plus, some tricks for weaving questions into your responses to create a richer dialog with your interviewers.
Then, we’ll look beyond the interview process to make sure this role is the best fit for you – starting with identifying a company that is going to support your growth. In this session, you’ll learn tools to make sure you’re asking the right questions to make the most informed decisions. We’ll review tactics for researching and preparing questions that will help you determine if the company really “walks the walk.” Remember: it’s your job to interview them, just as much as they’re interviewing you.
Throughout the session, I’ll share real world experience of ways in which this practical approach has gotten me where I am today, and participants will hopefully walk away with the tools and confidence needed to make their own professional leaps.
Bio
Cat Fletcher’s engineering career spans the past 20+ years, with experience as a software developer, architect, and engineering leader for SaaS companies large and small. Like many engineers, she thrives on problem-solving – whether it's technologies, businesses, or people. Her varied experience with different workplace cultures has shaped her leadership style and determination to actively provide a healthy work environment — particularly in her efforts to support women and other underrepresented groups in tech. She is currently the Vice President of Engineering at Expel, where she works with other leaders to craft a culture of support, respect, self-care, transparency, and humility.