A friend of mine is currently on the job hunt. He was sharing with me how hard it's been. I've been on the job hunt before as a software engineer and know how hard it could be. It is scary, can be demoralizing and imposter syndrome feels like it is at its peak.

As a way to encourage him, I've been thinking about truths that I feel could be said to him to help uplift him. The truths about him as a software engineer.

I wanted to share these truths here for him, for those who might also be in the job hunt and also for me, to serve as encouragement for someone who often battles with imposter syndrome.

You are extremely smart.

You create enormous value.

You can solve hard problems.

You understand complex things.

You are patient.

You deserve what you're being compensated and more.

You are not a coding monkey.

You make good contributions to your team.

You ask great questions.

You have the ability to do so much good.

You are creative.

You are resourceful.

You know enough.

You aren't defined by an interview.

You don't need to understand everything.

Your skills are highly desired.

You're doing a great job.

You are not an imposter.

You are a software engineer.

After I was done writing this list of truths, it reminded me of the Holstee manifesto. So I fired up Figma and also put together a poster-like version as well.