MAKING IT AT MCKINSEY: Everything you need to know about getting hired and thriving at consulting-giant McKinsey & Company

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McKinsey is one of the "Big Three" consulting firms - a tough place to crack into.

• The odds of getting hired by the prestigious McKinsey & Company are less than 1%.
• But there are ways to make your application stand out and get your foot in the door, from writing an outstanding cover letter to networking to preparing for the interview.
• Business Insider has talked to countless leaders and executives in charge of hiring at top consulting agencies like McKinsey for their best tips and tricks to landing a job - and thriving once you're in it. You can find more advice by subscribing to BI Prime.

Deemed one of the "Big Three" consulting firms, a job at McKinsey & Company is more than coveted. In 2018, the firm received 800,000 applications, but only 8,000 people got offers, the company told Business Insider.

And given that McKinsey topped Vault.com's 2020 list of consulting agencies, the firm only takes the cream of the crop. But there are some steps you can take that might land you a six-figure job at McKinsey, and rise in the ranks once you're there.

These are the ultimate guides to bolstering your hireability specifically for McKinsey in a few key areas:

Getting your foot in the door: The hiring policy at McKinsey, one of the world's most elite management consultancies, is defined by one thing: Harvard

Writing a top-notch cover letter: How to write a cover letter for McKinsey that gets your foot in the door, according to 3 recruiters and a former McKinsey manager - plus examples to get you started

Networking with partners: Here's how to network your way into getting a job at McKinsey, including email templates that'll help you connect with the top partners at the firm

Nailing the interview: McKinsey recruiters reveal the exact skills applicants need to showcase in their interview to land a 6-figure job at the consulting firm

Excelling during the case studies: McKinsey recruiters reveal exactly how to nail the interview and case study to land a 6-figure job at the consulting firm

Starting out after an MBA: MBAs earn the highest salaries out of school when they become management consultants at McKinsey or Bain - here's what it's like to start out

Becoming a partner: How to get onto the partner track at McKinsey and make millions, according to 3 management-consulting headhunters and a former McKinsey HR manager

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