Having a job title that doesn't align with my job responsibility:

Anonymous

February 2,2024 at 10:29AM UTC

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Having a job title that doesn't align with my job responsibility:

I am an experienced business analyst with 10 years work experience, due to company structure, in our team we don't have a senior title, I loved the company (great big corp) and the offer by then, so accepted the offer and has been there for 2 years, but the lay-off 1 year ago made it worse, I've been the product manager too for about 1 year (everyone knows I'm a product manager, but without the title and pay). My manager kind of promised that in the second half year this year, when the next promotion window opens, he would promoted me into a product manager. However, I feel this arrangement has been detrimental to my CV, it looks like I'm lacking (or have no) PM experience, that's why all the job opportunities the recruiters sent me are intermediate level "business analyst" even though on my linkedin I'm open to PM role only, and got rejected twice already in the CV screen phase. What should I do, stay or leave

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KatFebruary 2,2024 at 2:10PM UTC
Listing project management as a skill at the top of your resume will help. Also, you can include it with your current title. Put the product manager info first so even a quick scan will make it more prominent. Explain in the cover letter that the PM part was added 2 years ago and you'd like to focus on that in your next job.
Example: Business Analyst/Product Manager at Y Corp
Product Manager - responsible for managing product A with budget of X, from concept development through product launch, finishing under budget and on time (or whatever metric/goal was the key part of product)
Business Analyst - responsible for a, b, and c
As for staying or leaving, see how the vague promise of a promotion pans out. If it doesn't, start looking internally for a product manager job if you like where you are. If there aren't any, tell recruiters that's what you're looking for and emphasize you have the experience needed.
KT Walker-DelphonseFebruary 2,2024 at 2:29PM UTC
Honestly, put the name of the role you actually do not the one the company gives! It’s your CV. I was doing account managing or title managing for 6 months before I actually got promoted with the correct title, but I updated my CV and LinkedIn long before the company gave me the official title
AnonymousFebruary 2,2024 at 4:34PM UTC
I completely agree with this because it's not being dishonest about what you do.
As a recruiter, I have noticed that candidates often list their job titles in this way.
For example, they may write:
Example 1 Job Title: (Temp Success Manager)-Coach 2022-Present
Example 2 Job Title: Data Analyst 2021-Present (Software Engineer) 2023-Present
In both cases, the candidate is showing the same company and start date, but adding information about where they took over a department or temporarily performed additional work without an official job title. This is not misleading and or creating confusion for potential employers. If you Interview, when they ask you can explain.
Therese M. DesRosiers RandallFebruary 2,2024 at 3:16PM UTC
Depending on company structure, titles and responsibilities can vary widely.
Don't focus on what your current "title" is - focus on the responsibilities you have and your level of accomplishment. "Title" is not always the same as "role." Your skillset and experience are more important than the title you have been assigned by your company. I know from first hand experience: Supervisor vs. Manager sounds on it's face like a simple tier, manager obviously being higher than supervisor - but when the structure in the current company actually has a "supervisor" performing the role identified as operations "manager" at another company - you apply for the OM job when seeking new employment, NOT a supervisory role. Build your resume highlighting the skillset you have for the new position, don't focus on your current "title".
AnonymousFebruary 2,2024 at 7:39PM UTC
Include a bullet point stating that you acted as a [the title you are looking for] in the role of [current title]. Also, put that as one of your skills in the "skills section of the CV.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistFebruary 5,2024 at 2:50AM UTC
You can list your title as
Business Analyst/Acting Product Manager