Today I learned that a white man with 2 years less experience than me and who does mediocre work at best is a Design Director at a place Iā€™m interviewing for as a Sr Designer. We used to work at the same place. He spent less than a year as an ACD before jumping into Design Director roles. Iā€™m so tired of clawing my way up the ladder while others get a golden ticket to a glass elevator. But Iā€™m also frustrated at myself for not being more confident in my abilities and just reaching for shit.

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I feel you. I'm struggling to get an ACD role and so many mediocre men who started around when I did are already CDs šŸ˜”

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Unfortunately I'm unemployed but I definitely think similar to what the person said below, I'm way too humble and honest about my role in projects.

I worked somewhere real sexist for 2 years and am still fighting off the imposter syndrome all the time.

Objectively I know I'm really good at my job (I'm a cw) and honestly I want to be an ACD to start managing people because I'm positive I'll be a better boss than most creatives.

I am a woman and have been interviewing for jobs that honestly I am probably not qualified for from a years of experience perspective. Sometimes itā€™s just who you have met along the way and who trusts you to punch above your weight. Even if youā€™re capable, which you likely are, you still need someone else to feel comfortable putting their neck out for you in that way. Not saying this doesnā€™t happen more for men because it definitely does but it is not only them. Sometimes things just work out.

And youā€™re right to be frustrated with yourself - itā€™s a normal reaction. But I guarantee you are more capable than what you give yourself credit for. Never tell yourself youā€™re not qualified - leave that to everyone else šŸ˜Š keep pushing!!

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100%. I definitely wouldnā€™t even be where I am if someone hadnā€™t decided to take a chance on me and I know thatā€™s always going to be true no matter what gender, race, or whatever else. And also how timing is so important in things like this too.

But yeah, itā€™s definitely soul crushing when the same men in power who keep telling me to put more time and work in are the same ones who let that now-Design Director skate by. That bro culture is so hard to break into. Even more so when they wonā€™t admit that itā€™s there.

Today was a rough day mentally, but I know I definitely gotta get back out there and keep kicking ass. šŸ’Ŗ

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Iā€™m sorry to hear your frustration. I totally feel you and weā€™ve all been there.

Iā€™ve seen the same story about women who are confident AF. I honestly wouldnā€™t blame it on gender (so it doesnā€™t feel like such a barrier). Itā€™s just that white men have that locker room networky confidence that propels them forward.

A woman at my agency got fired because she wasnā€™t pulling her weight as an art director. She then got hired as an ACD somewhere else and now is a CD somewhere else. Sheā€™s just hyper confident, charismatic and interviews really well. She probably exaggerates her role on projects. Just like a lot of white men do.

Stop telling yourself that talent is enough (unfortunately thatā€™s what we learn in school and thatā€™s what holds us back). Itā€™s how you make others feel. Itā€™s how much your boss relies on you and trusts you.

To build confidence, surround yourself with confident people who believe in you. Thatā€™s been my most effective strategy to have confidence in myself.

likehelpful

THIS šŸ‘†šŸ»šŸ‘†šŸ»šŸ‘†šŸ» once you figure it out and action it, your career sky rockets.

It's so hard. Give yourself credit and practice confidence, even when you don't feel it. This is a perfect time for the fake it til you make it approach. If it looks like a challenge you'd like to take on, then apply! Do not hesitate because of worry about being under qualified. And every time doubt creeps in, remind yourself "I am a badass & men do this ALL THE EFFING TIME."

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Ugh I know what you mean. I know someone who went from intern to ACD in four years....in this industry itā€™s definitely charisma, faking the funk and pure luck over talent.

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likeuplifting

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