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Should I clarify on my resume that an internship I had was at a boutique consulting firm?

So I interned at a boutique consulting firm and am currently updating my resume. I think the bullets make it clear that it's consulting, but would it be frowned on to let's say put (boutique consulting firm) or something similar next to the name? I would love any perspective on this. Thanks!

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Top answer
Andreas
Coach
on Apr 21, 2025
BCG Principal, 150+ BCG interviews (incl. final rounds), Post-MBA offers from All Big 3 / MBB

Hi there. 

Yes, you should make it as obvious as possible. Don't rely on the bullets to clarify. 

 

Cheers,

Andreas

Daniel
Coach
on Apr 21, 2025
Ex-McKinsey, Bain & Kearney | 5+ yrs consulting, coaching & interviewing | 95%+ candidate success

Absolutely, it's smart to provide clarity, especially if the firm isn't widely known.

Adding "(boutique consulting firm)" next to the name helps contextualize the experience for recruiters and shows transparency. It’s not frowned upon; in fact, it often helps, as it signals that you were doing real consulting work even if the firm isn’t a household name.

Just keep the formatting clean. For example:
Firm Name (Boutique Consulting Firm) – Intern
Then focus your bullets on impact, problem-solving, and client exposure; the core things MBB and other firms look for.

Mattijs
Coach
on Apr 21, 2025
Free 15m intro call | First session -50% | Bain| Hiring team | 250+ successful candidates

Hi,

If you feel it could be unclear for the reader, I recommend to add 'boutique consulting firm' explicitly. 

Feel free to reach out if you have further questions.

Mattijs

on Apr 21, 2025
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

Q: Would it be frowned on to let's say put (boutique consulting firm) or something similar next to the name?

Assuming you are keeping the format of the CV consistent (i.e. you are specifying the same for other brand names in your CV when that’s needed) and that the boutique is not famous, that’s totally fine.

Good luck!

Francesco

on Apr 21, 2025
#1 rated McKinsey Coach

Yes, do make it clear in the title. This way even if you get a recruiter that is only screening them highlevel they are more likely to notice it. 

Best,
Cristian

Frieda
Coach
on Apr 22, 2025
Senior Manager with 10 years of consulting experience and leads recruitment (grad - manager hires). Free 10 mins intro.

Hi there, great questions!  I used to screen resumes for consulting interviews and would appreciate an explainer next to the company - especially when it is a more niche or a start up. 

Is there a way to add more colour than "boutique consulting company", would be helpful to include in elements like what the consulting firm does, is it pricing, growth strategy, innovation etc? Happy to chat more! 

on Apr 22, 2025
1st session -50% | Ex-McKinsey| Offical McKinsey Case Coach | +250 coaching sessions

Hi,

You need to make your CV as clear as possible.

You should headline that internship - if you're unsure how to do so, have a look at the preplounge cover letter templates - they're pretty good to see the standard layout. I like template 1. 

https://www.preplounge.com/en/cv-templates

 

Good luck and happy to chat

Pedro
Coach
on Apr 24, 2025
Bain | EY-Parthenon | Former Principal | 1.5h session | 30% discount 1st session

I don't see any harm and I see an advantage. Do it! :)

Emily
Coach
on Apr 26, 2025
9 years in MBB Southeast Asia & China| 8 years as MBB interviewer | Free intro call

hi there,

there is no harm to put it on - actually it makes it easier for whoever is reading your resume to understand you have consulting experience before. So why not?

Best,

Emily

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