What's the best way to go if you were told you are being recruited for Consultant/Associate role and are made an offer for a one step lower level role ( Senior Associate Consultant/Junior Associate)? Is it worth talking to the partner? Would've not really recruited had I known it was for a lower level position from the start.
Back to overview
6
16
Level
2
1.9k
Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Top answer
Deleted user
on Apr 10, 2021
Hey,
Most likely your performance in the interviews was a bit lower, and so while they like you, they didnt see you fit at the level.
But this could be speculation..maybe they are tight on budget or something else changed in the backend or they interviewed you for the wrong level from the start and no one explicitly said anything. Happens!
Here's my tips:
- Best understand the details with HR first to see whether feedback is around your level of performance in interviews
- If it indeed is, approach this with win-win in mind. No blame game. Tell them how keen you are make this work and ask for if they are willing to discuss this further
- Be ready with your options- are you convinced you are ready for the next level and have the skills to be succesfull?! Whats the impact on your compensation?! If you have interviewed elsewhere and performed well at the next level, then use this as a negotiating point
- if its an admin error or some other issue, am sure HR themselves will collaborate with you to find a way
Otherwise, take/reject the offer depending how badly you want this and/or have other options brewing.
All the best.
0 comments
Ian
on Apr 10, 2021
Coach
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success
Hi there,
It's highly unlikely that you'll be able to move up - sorry :/
Reflect on whether you're ok with that lower level. If you're coming in as a JAC/JA, then you're 2 years away from Consultant.
Similar Questions
Most Popular Posts
My biggest fear
9
on Apr 15, 2026
Europe
10
100+
Top answer by
Franco
Coach
Ex BCG Principal & Global Interviewer (10+ Years) | 100+ MBB Offers | 95% Success Rate
10 Answers
100+ Views
+7
How do referral work?
8
on Apr 15, 2026
Europe
9
200+
Top answer by
Franco
Coach
Ex BCG Principal & Global Interviewer (10+ Years) | 100+ MBB Offers | 95% Success Rate
9 Answers
200+ Views
+6
I got fired from a T2 and struggling to find a job
10
on Apr 16, 2026
UK
8
100+
Top answer by
Franco
Coach
Ex BCG Principal & Global Interviewer (10+ Years) | 100+ MBB Offers | 95% Success Rate
8 Answers
100+ Views
+5
Not getting responses from LinkedIn outreach or post-event follow-ups — what am I doing wrong?
15
on Apr 17, 2026
USA
8
100+
Top answer by
Soheil
Coach
INSEAD | EM & Strategy Consultant | 3.5Y Consulting | 5★ Case Coach | 350+ Cases | 50+ Live Interviews | MBB-Level
8 Answers
100+ Views
+5
Question: "Is there something we haven't asked you that we should?"
9
on Apr 20, 2026
Europe
10
200+
Top answer by
Soheil
Coach
INSEAD | EM & Strategy Consultant | 3.5Y Consulting | 5★ Case Coach | 350+ Cases | 50+ Live Interviews | MBB-Level
10 Answers
200+ Views
+7