Drowning in imposter syndrome. How do you cope?

Question

Last month, I had my MBB interview. I passed, and will start as an intern in September. I have spent the last month agonizing over the offer email, continuing to look at the contract as if I can't believe it is real.

I don't understand how I got here. I saw people with vastly superior curriculums being rejected, and yet I passed. I am a white male, so I'm sure I didn't get a preferential treatment due to diversity. I also had no referrals. I just passed.

I am from Italy. I come from a non-target school, where I spent 5 years to get by bachelor degree (as opposed to the regular 3 years) - this alone I was convinced was enough to warrant an automatic rejection. I am the first person from my school to make it to MBB. I do have a large ego… just not this big.

I'll not pretend to be humble, I do have an interesting profile thanks to my other experiences. Issue is… the cases I did didn't even go that well. The second case I think I completely bombed, as I couldn't bring myself to do basic calculations. And still I passed regardless.

Why? Who has the greatest decision making powers in these situations, the HR or the managers that gave me the case? I'm starting to think the HR just liked me a lot and convinced them to take me. I can't see how the two managers would have argued in favor of my admission.

I don't think I have a specific question, I just needed to rant after talking to a guy who was rejected despite having the complete pedigree (6 months of case preparation + target school bachelor + top 10 school master's + MBB internships).

Answer 1

Hello,

Congratulations on the offer! Imposter syndrome is a very real thing many people experience, but I promise you that your job offer was no mistake!

There are many different traits and skills that make up a successful consultant. Even if you feel like you underperformed on some aspect of the case interview, you clearly have a lot to offer the firm, and the recruiting team saw that. That is why there are so many hoops to jump through and so many parts to the recruiting process - your candidacy is reviewed as holistically as possible. In truth, the day to day work of a consultant bears very little resemblance to case interviews, so at this stage I wouldn't even worry about the fact that you feel like you bombed a case in the interview, but focus on the future and the job you are about to do.

Regarding the decision making, it would have been the managers who you did your final round(s) with. I believe that HR has no say at the final stages of recruiting.

Regarding the guy with perfect pedigree, unfortunately there is nothing you can do that will 100% guarantee you a job offer. To be sure, a target school background increases your likelihood of being invited to interview, and taking the time to do lots of case prep should increase your chances of success, but unfortunately there are many, many excellent candidates who follow this formula to a T and still get no offers. There are a lot of unknowns, subjective impressions, and luck involved - but that is not to downplay your accomplishments and tenacity in getting the offer!

I know it can be tough if you feel like you aren't coming from one of these prestigious top school/MBB internship backgrounds, but I promise you you got hired for good reason, and encourage you to approach the start of your job with an open mind and a positive attitude!

Answer 2

Hey!

First of all, you're not a hiring mistake. These things don't really exist.

But let's assume that you were. So what? Would the smartest thing be to make the best out of the opportunity and the future and be grateful for the luck that you had (instead of worrying about the future or shooting yourself in the foot about the past)?

Even the fact that you're worrying about this shows that you belong. All elite environments are like this. When I started studying in Oxford, there were seminars in all colleges titled ‘how not to feel the smartest anymore’ because for most people this was the first time in their lives they weren't the top person anymore (in their class, year, cohort, etc.) and they struggled to accept that. Everybody feels like an impostor to a certain extent. What matters is what you do about it.

Best,

Cristian

Answer 3

Hi there,

Oh boy is this normal! I don't think I've met a single consultant who didn't have impostor syndrome!

Don't worry, you got in through an intense vetting process - you are worthy!

You'll learn over time that credentials are overblown! Plenty of people get into great schools etc. through money, connection, and privilege.

In terms of navigating it, just “own” it so to speak! Relax in knowing that you are not alone!

If you don't understand something, ask. If you're looking to learn, find ways to do so. But, remember that the consulting toolkit is a massive one that takes years and years to train (and even as you do, you will always have further to go).

Answer 4

Hi there,

You and many others don’t know what McKinsey are actually looking for in candidates - it’s a well guarded secret. That’s why some people fail and why some people who succeeded don’t even know how they got there, such as yourself.

However, rest assured that you aren‘t a mistake! Especially not if you don’t even have the typical “credentials” like a Harvard MBA. There must be something special about you. What exactly that is we don’t know but you can ask recruiting when you get there and share with us :)

For now, let the survivor’s guilt pass and replace it with the kind of mindset you need to prove McKinsey right!

Congratulations and best of luck!

Answer 5

Firstly, be happy that you know what imposter syndrome is! I had it but it was only after a long while that I was taught that I'm not the only one and it even has a name!

This is an emotional question, so you should be searching for an emotional answer, not more facts and arguments.

I'm happy to talk. If you like, PM me.

Best,

Allen

Answer 6

Hey there,

Already great answers here from many different people.

I want to add one thing to ease your mind. You would be surprised how many people at MBB feel like this. There is a reason consultants are called insecure overachievers. You are not alone.

You will be fine - trust me!

All the best for your future. Enjoy the ride!

Cheers,

Florian

Answer 7

I can't tell what happened, but one thing I know for sure: you passed the interviews with multiple interviewers and HR has no relevant say in your recruiting. Unless you are close family of someone they want to do business with (yes, this may happen at some consulting firms and offices) you are there by your own merit and possibly a bit of luck in getting the interview.