I could use some advice.

Anonymous

October 30,2021 at 1:14PM UTC

Welcome to Fairygodboss!

We’re the largest online career community helping women achieve their career goals. Gain access to articles, jobs, events, and a supportive network of women and allies. Membership is free, always.

I could use some advice.

A little over three years ago, I accepted a job with a Director title, Operation Excellence (continuous improvement, quality coaching, training, change management, etc.). The company wasn’t the best, it was a calculated risk to go there, and about a year ago, they did a re-evaluation of the organization. The re-evaluation was done for the purpose of selling off our division - they felt the organization had too many high level titles and would not be an attractive acquisition. As a result, my title was changed to Sr Analyst. I had no direct reports and under the new organizational standards, without direct reports, my job no longer even qualified for a manager title. On some level, I understood, but this was a major step backwards in a steadily moving forward career. The title change did not affect my salary, and I was told that it would not have an effect on the inclusion I relied upon to get my job done. Well, it did, and I found myself quickly no longer in the loop.

Long story, but I found myself staying there longer than I should (Covid, other life issues).

I’ve recently started working as a consultant at a large, prestigious organization working IT change management. I like the job, but it is a slow to change organization, and as people begin to go back to the office, the commute is too much (over an hour).

As I start to look for another position, I’m trying what to put down as a title for the director/analyst job. I certainly don’t want to look like I’m inflating my position, but I also would never have accepted that job as Sr Analyst.

Any advice from HR folks or recruiters? I have an MBA, many change mgmt certifications, great experience, and before this job, my resume shows steady advancement.

Thanks!

Why women love us:

Daily articles on career topics
Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
Advice and support from an authentic community
Events that help you level up in your career
Free membership, always

21 comments

Share your insight

Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.

21 Comments

Join the conversation

Sarah HulickOctober 30,2021 at 2:30PM UTC
Saying Director is true and accurate and conveys the job title you had upon entering and for most of your time there. I think this is just one of those situations where the story makes sense but is too long and complex for those “tell me about your career” questions.
VMOctober 31,2021 at 12:19PM UTC
Use the original title you accepted the position under. Sounds like you still maintained your same roles and responsibilities which means the title remains accurate.
Alicia BetsingerOctober 31,2021 at 12:28PM UTC
I agree.
I would be interested to see some HR folks weigh in though.
AnonymousOctober 31,2021 at 12:26PM UTC
I would put the Director title you were hired with on the resume. And bullet point what you did BEFORE getting demoted. It sounds like the new owner was downsizing and you got out before the cut.
AnonymousOctober 31,2021 at 12:28PM UTC
You are a director. <3 I'm sorry you had to go through that.
Diane RodriguesOctober 31,2021 at 12:31PM UTC
You were hired as a director. Put that in your resume, it better reflects your abilities. That’s the job you are seeking.
Michelle PrinceOctober 31,2021 at 12:51PM UTC
Agree with the others, use the director title on your resume and in your interviews. If you feel you need to share that story you can, but your focus ought to be on what you accomplished, not on the environmental issues you had to face. Let's connect and talk through how to present both of these situations in a way that will get you hired for another position that more closely fits your experience and desired organizational culture. It seems you can improve on both how you're presenting yourself as well as how to determine if the place is a good fit for you personally.
Karen LOctober 31,2021 at 12:55PM UTC
I'm an HR Director. Put Director on your resume but be honest if directly asked later. It is not dishonest. It may not even come up later but if your employment is verified, the company will provide the last title held. Or...put director and put a minor note within that entry that in late 2021 reorganization let to title adjustment. Your resume is a poster, a sales pitch. I never recommend dishonesty but the truth and life are not always black and white.
Dcre1977October 31,2021 at 3:38PM UTC
I would put Director on your resume. If you have to fill out an application then put the last title you had on the application. My experience is the hiring manager sees the resume, the only people looking at the application are those running the background check. Unless its a small company, they do not talk to each other.
AnonymousOctober 31,2021 at 3:39PM UTC
You were hired as a Director - use that title.
Annetta MosesOctober 31,2021 at 3:52PM UTC
Depending on the industry, job titles are not for the same level of responsibility. I worked at Amazon and a level 8 director would have been a vice president or senior vice president at a CPG company.
Use the Director title sense it was the one you were hired at and it reflects the position you are seeking.
Good luck.
Joanna PoeOctober 31,2021 at 3:55PM UTC
You signed an offer letter for a director position, I see no reason not to put that on your resume. Titles are definitely not universal even across one industry though, so job duties are what matter most - be sure to list your accomplishments/responsibilities.
Lisa MarieOctober 31,2021 at 4:22PM UTC
As others have said, use the title of the role you were hired in and "slash" Sr Analyst written: Dir of Smiles / Sr Analyst of Joy.
The accomplishments you list uner the title are key, so be sure to highlight your top 5-6 most impactful wins in the role over those 3yrs.
In an interview, if asked to elaborate on the position speak to *your flexibility* in "transitioning" to performing the Sr Analyst *job functions as part of doing what was best for the continued viability and success of the organization.
There is no untruths in stating clearly what you accomplished working under both titles.
Christy FallinOctober 31,2021 at 5:53PM UTC
Best answer here
Vidya RajaOctober 31,2021 at 9:46PM UTC
You were hired as a Director and the title change happened only recently. So use "Director" on your resume and explain your responsibilities and achievements in bullet points. One of those bullets could be something like "Worked as a Sr Analyst and accomplished ......."
If asked in an interview, you can explain the situation in detail. That way, you're not hiding anything and being completely honest about your accomplishments, job titles, and the unexpected situation you were in.
Valentina Huang, MBA, SHRM-CPNovember 1,2021 at 3:13AM UTC
Use "Director since that was your initial title and for over a year or two (if I'm reading your post correctly). For transparency purposes, you can incorporate the title change - "Director/ Sr. Analyst (due to reorganization)". Hope this helps.
Shelley Maley, Career Coach (PHR, GCDF)November 1,2021 at 12:20PM UTC
That's the same thing I was going to suggest.
Heather BinghamNovember 1,2021 at 1:51PM UTC
I like Valentina's suggestion; use the combination you gave us. Just ensure that you have your story very straight if you are challenged by the new company. As long as you aren't defensive if you have to explain the change, are matter-of-fact in tone and don't seem to be blaming anyone, I don't think anyone will bat an eyelid.
Anna CarterNovember 1,2021 at 2:03PM UTC
Good morning,
May I suggest that you use both titles on your resume? You can put them under the same company name, separating the dates worked for each role. Then, in the Profile section of your resume, and certainly during the interview process, you should make note that the change in roles was a lateral move under an organizational restructuring plan.
Consequently, change management roles are presently trending. I get 2-3 calls a week from recruiters based on my change management experience and credentials.
Emphasizing your change management credentials and experience in your Profile allows you to concisely discuss your "transition" from director role to analyst role.
Food for thought...
Erin Thomas, Career + Leadership CoachNovember 1,2021 at 10:36PM UTC
I would keep the director title on your resume and in parentheses you can include the analyst title
Gregory JohnsonDecember 27,2021 at 2:55PM UTC
I would focus on the Directorship duties across the board. Why? The majority of organizations considering candidates at the Leadership level are most interested in what "You" bring to the organization to enhance the direction and outcome of the specific area of concentration for which they are hiring.
Take a step backward and get a decent grasp on your natural Leadership characteristics. If the company is hiring for a Leadership role, sell them on Yours and how it could be a compliment to the synergy of the company based on your research.