Defying Dyslexia: How I Landed a Job at McKinsey & Company (Part 1)
The Unconventional Path to Joining a Top Consulting Firm: Lessons Learned and Tips for Aspiring Professionals with Dyslexia
I’m dyslexic. Reading and writing have always been my nemesis, causing me to lag behind in school and struggle with severe self-confidence issues. Despite these challenges, I landed a job as an Associate at McKinsey & Company, the world’s most prestigious consulting firm. How did I achieve this seemingly impossible feat? Here’s my story.
A Rough Start
Fresh out of university, I found myself thrust into the role of an IT project manager at an automobile company, responsible for a colossal ERP replacement project. Young and inexperienced, I battled imposter syndrome daily. The managers had no other option, so the project fell to me. Somehow, I managed to implement the project successfully, learning a great deal along the way. While my tech skills were solid, I realized I lacked knowledge in project finances, accounting, and management principles.
Filling the Gaps
Determined to fill these gaps, I enrolled in an MBA program. Coincidentally, my employer had just launched a new initiative to encourage employees to pursue further education. I got accepted, with my employer covering a third of the cost, and I received another third back from the government through tax deductions (thankfully, second-degree studies are tax-deductible in Germany). I covered the remaining third myself. I completed the program with outstanding marks and was over the moon. However, my company’s reaction was underwhelming. When I asked HR, “What’s next?” during a meeting to discuss my success, I was met with confused looks and a dismissive response: “We have nothing else to offer.” The message was clear: return to your line job and stay quiet.
Seizing the Opportunity
Around this time, I stumbled upon an article in “Der Spiegel” about the “CEO of the Future” Program, a joint initiative between McKinsey and their clients. The program targeted young business professionals and served as a recruiting event for McKinsey. I needed to write an essay to apply. Writing, my perennial weakness, posed a significant challenge. My ideas were solid, but my execution was poor. Nonetheless, I laid out my essay and wrote it up.
On a holiday trip with my best friend, who is exceptional with languages, I asked for his help in reviewing my essay. He obliged, but it wasn’t a pleasant experience for him. I also sought assistance from my former math teacher, now a friend. He helped too, albeit without much joy. With their help, I sent in my essay.
Years later, my math teacher reminisced about how terrible the essay was when I first gave it to him. My best friend, in a bar with us, nodded silently. I was embarrassed. I never told them about my dyslexia. I need to change that the next time I see them.
The Unexpected Twist
Returning to the McKinsey CEO of the Future competition: six weeks after submitting my essay, I received an email stating, “Thank you, but no, you haven’t been selected.” I was devastated. Not good enough, I thought. I was sad but decided to move on. About a month later, on a trip to Spain with my father, I asked to use our friend’s computer to check my emails. Usually, I never check my spam folder, but this time, for some reason, I did. There it was, an email from McKinsey. I clicked on it: “Congratulations, you have been selected for the next round of the CEO of the Future competition.” Out of 20,000 applicants, I was among the 200 chosen for the selection round, with only 20 making it to the final round.
Why did I receive two emails, one rejection and one acceptance? As it turns out, once I joined McKinsey, I learned that an analyst had mistakenly added my name to both the acceptance and rejection lists. McKinsey used a different email address to send acceptance letters, which is why it ended up in my spam folder. By sheer luck, I discovered the email, and by an even greater stroke of luck, one of the three possible event dates was still upcoming in two weeks. The other two dates had already passed. I couldn’t have cut it closer. You can’t make this stuff up.
Stay tuned for the next part of the story, where I share how I prepared for the CEO of the Future event, faced the challenges of the interview day, and enjoyed an unexpected six-month break in Australia. Subscribe to hear the rest of this journey and more insights into overcoming dyslexia and achieving success.
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Current Books in Parallel Reading:
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Pyramid of Success by Coach Wooden
Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
Habits I’m Working On:
• Fitness & Health: More sports, healthy eating, no junk food, lots of veggies, and less sugar. Aim: Sports 4 times a week (weights and running).
Mindset: I’m a runner and I’m healthy.
Status: got a run in (gym 3k)
• Dental Health: Flossing daily to avoid crowns and root canals.
Mindset: I have healthy teeth and I don’t hear the drill sound anymore
Status: yep I’m flossing
• Writing: Practice, practice, practice—daily diary entries, no excuses.
Mindset: thinking how I got here
• Weight: 112 kg (still still no scale)
Mindset: back at the hotel no scale
Consecutive Days Posting on Walter’s Diary:
Twenty-Seven (27)