Below-average student in school and university, man lands jobs at Meta, Google. How a 'third door' helped him

Even after graduating from the University of Toronto with a degree in finance and economics, his difficulties persisted.

Andrew Yeung, a former employee of Meta and Google, recently shared his journey from academic struggles to professional triumphs. Despite facing significant challenges in school and early career setbacks, Yeung carved a path to success by adopting unconventional strategies inspired by Alex Banayan’s book "The Third Door".

Yeung’s academic journey was far from smooth. Throughout school and university, he struggled with core subjects like mathematics, English, and science, consistently earning below-average grades despite considerable effort. He lacked the typical traits associated with success, such as charisma, confidence, and exceptional intelligence, according to Business Insider.

Even after graduating from the University of Toronto with a degree in finance and economics, his difficulties persisted. He spent months applying for jobs with little to no response. Realising he needed a change, Yeung decided to abandon traditional approaches and instead sought alternative methods to achieve his goals.

In 2019, Yeung’s perspective shifted after reading "The Third Door", which likens life’s challenges to entering an exclusive nightclub. While most people either queue at the main entrance or try to use the VIP door, the third door represents unconventional, creative solutions that most overlook.

This idea transformed Yeung’s approach to problem-solving. He embraced a mindset that rejected conformity and sought innovative ways to overcome obstacles.

Yeung attributed his success to four key strategies that helped him break into the tech industry and secure leadership roles at Google and Meta.

Rather than attempting to fit into existing opportunities, Yeung created his own.

He organised private dinners with executives instead of trying to attend others’ exclusive events.

He built his own platform to share ideas and invited industry leaders to collaborate, reversing the traditional dynamic.

He focused on creating value that naturally attracted the attention of decision-makers.

Yeung leveraged speed as a competitive advantage throughout his career.

By replying to an email within 10 seconds, he secured an internship with the CEO of a company employing more than 20,000 people.

At Facebook and Google, his swift responses allowed him to take on high-visibility projects by being the first to volunteer.

He consistently demonstrated responsiveness and initiative, setting himself apart from his peers.

Recognising the limitations of short-term networking, Yeung invested in long-term relationships.

He nurtured connections even after being rejected by hiring managers, offering value by referring them to other candidates.

His first job after graduation came through a year-long relationship with a manager who had initially rejected him.

Yeung’s path to Facebook started with a cold outreach that developed into a mentorship over three years, while his entry into Google was facilitated by another long-term relationship.

“The strongest professional relationships are built when you think in decades,” Yeung explained.

Yeung prioritised generosity as a cornerstone of his career strategy.

In his early 20s, he volunteered his time and pitched himself to early-stage startup CEOs, offering help despite having no prior experience in the tech industry.

This approach established his reputation as a helpful, motivated operator, opening doors and building his personal brand.

Over time, his willingness to help without expecting immediate rewards earned him the trust and respect of influential leaders.

Yeung credits these unconventional habits with enabling him to secure opportunities, build relationships with prominent tech figures, and succeed in a competitive industry despite his lack of stellar grades or traditional qualifications.

“I see myself as an average person who isn’t particularly gifted,” Yeung said, “but I’ve managed to find success by discovering the unfair advantages uniquely suited to me.”

Today, Yeung runs a tech events company called Fibe.