Job Title Discrepencies

Hi there,

This is very unlikely to be a material issue, so try not to worry too much.

MBB background and reference checks mainly verify employment dates, employer, and general role scope, not the exact wording of junior titles, especially for graduate programs. In your case, the wording you used actually downplayed seniority rather than inflated it, which is not something firms are concerned about.

If the topic ever comes up during checks or references, you can simply explain that while your official title was Management Consultant, the role was part of a structured graduate program with significant training, and you chose wording on your CV to reflect that nature. This is a reasonable clarification and unlikely to raise any red flags.

What would be an issue is overstating seniority, which you did not do. Given that you already have an offer, this should not put it at risk.

Best,
Evelina

Congratulations on the offer—that is a massive achievement and a validation of your entire profile. It is completely natural to feel anxiety about small details when the stakes are this high, but you can relax on this specific issue.

This is extremely unlikely to be considered a material misrepresentation. The MBB compliance and background check teams are primarily focused on verifying material facts: the dates of employment, that you actually worked at the firm, and that your official title and scope align broadly with the level you were hired for (Analyst/Associate, etc.). By adding "apprenticeship," you were trying to clarify the nature of your role (a training track), not deceive them about where you worked or when. Compliance cares about fraud—claiming a title you never held at a firm you never worked for—not semantic modifiers.

Here is the tactical advice: do nothing right now. Let the standard background check process run its course. These checks usually use a third-party service that contacts your former HR department. If that third party flags the minor title difference (which is rare), you will simply be given a chance to provide an explanation to your new firm's HR team. You will explain exactly what you wrote here—you added the descriptor for clarity regarding the graduate program structure. This is an easy explanation that will be accepted immediately. You’ve earned the offer; don't let this minor detail cause you unnecessary stress.

All the best with the transition!

You understated your title, not inflated it. You were actually a Management Consultant and you called yourself an apprentice to be humble. That is the opposite of what gets people in trouble.

Reference checks verify employment dates and whether you actually worked there. If your former employer confirms you were a Management Consultant, it might create a small moment of confusion. But no one is going to rescind an offer because you downplayed your title.

If you are worried, you have two options. One, do nothing and let it play out. If it comes up, you explain you were being conservative because the role had a training component. That is a reasonable explanation. Two, proactively mention it to HR. A quick email saying "I want to clarify that my official title was Management Consultant, though I described it as an apprenticeship on my resume since it was a graduate training program." That clears the air.

Either way, you are fine. People get in trouble for lying up, not for being overly modest.

Congrats on the MBB offer. Focus on that.

Hi,
Congrats on the offer — that’s huge 🎉

This is not a material misrepresentation. Your official title was “Management Consultant,” and you actually down-leveled yourself to reflect the training nature of the role. That’s a conservative framing, not inflation.

Reference checks typically verify company, dates, and official title.

Since your official title matches “Management Consultant,” you’re fine. If anything, your resume was more modest than necessary.

If it comes up, you can simply say: “My official title was Management Consultant, but I described it as an apprenticeship to reflect the graduate program structure.” Totally reasonable.

You’re safe — enjoy the win!

hey there :)

This is usually not a material issue and happens quite often. Reference checks typically verify employer, dates and the official title on record, and what you described sounds like a wording choice rather than an attempt to mislead. To be safe, you can proactively flag it to the recruiter and explain that it was meant to reflect the graduate training nature of the role, which is generally well understood and not a problem at all. Feel free to reach out if you want to sanity check how to phrase this.

best,
Alessa :)

Hi there,

This shouldn't be a big issue. If the anxiety is really getting to you, you can quickly explain to HR.

Please don't worry about this. 

Just enjoy the offer!

This is such a small thing that I would be surprised if they even asked you about it.

And if they do, it sounds like you have a coherent explanation for it. 

Sharing here instead two guides that will hopefully give you a headstart in consulting:

Expert Guide: How to Become A Distinctive Consultant

Expert Guide: How to Manage for Lifestyle in Consulting

Best,
Cristian