662
Job Titles
When you put your job title on your resume, should it be what the official title from the organization gave you?
In several positions, my job title didn't quite describe what I actually did. Is it considered ok/good practice/dishonest to change the job title on my resume? Is there a better way to handle this?
Sharron Fieber
25
09/27/22 at 6:06PM UTC
I've been on both sides of this issue. As someone hiring, I expect the information on the resume to be accurate. But I've also had jobs that didn't fit the official title. I've found that listing the exact title with notes regarding what the job actually entails works! Clarify in the interview what you actually did on the job. It's good if someone at the old company will verify.
Anna YaguchiI translate "Geek" into plain English and back.
102
09/27/22 at 2:37PM UTC (Edited)
I worked for a well known corporation with a propensity of making up their own names and acronyms for everything.
Even software they licensed from others.
In that environment I've had about four different titles for the exact same job, none of which really described what I did. Most would result in, "Uhh what's that?"
To top it off none of those titles actually matched what was logged in the payroll and career development applications.
So which title should a person like me use in that case?
Anonymous
09/23/22 at 5:48PM UTC
Your question reminds me of how I found that a former coworker embellished her job title on her LinkedIn profile. We shared the exact same title and responsibilities. It seems unfair to me that people inflate their job titles. Those of us who "tell it like it is" appear to be less qualified job candidates!
While altering a job title in a LinkedIn profile might improve one's chances of getting noticed by recruiters and might help in a job search, altering a job title on a resume, employment application or background check form might be considered falsifying information. Even if there is no immediate fallout, there might be future repercussions. You might face termination, revocation of a professional license or the inability to file a legal claim should your employer get sued for certain wrongdoings, such as discrimination against employees who are members of protected classes. I am not an HR or employment law expert. I might be missing other important consequences of altering a job title.
If this were a poll, based on my experience and common sense, I would vote against using job titles different from the ones on file with your current and/or previous employers. These are the titles that were in the job orders and in your job offer letters. There should be ample opportunity to adequately describe your work experience via your resume, cover letters, LinkedIn profile, employment applications, phone screens and interviews.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
21.99k
09/23/22 at 12:41AM UTC
It can become an issue - especially if the resume is used for a background or reference check - if the titles don't match up.
Some companies really have crazy titles. Can you tell us what your official title is and what you do?
Robin LampertManaging Projects & Achieving User-Centric Value
662
09/25/22 at 9:41PM UTC
I've had multiple different titles - most frequently a variation on Business Analyst - e.g., Senior Business Analyst. While that was my title, I was part of a Project Management Office and led some projects. (I've had other positions where I was the "Project Coordinator".) Several recruiters have told me to change my job title to Project Manager for those positions where I was managing projects. And I was wondering if that would cause problems. (The job description says more about the projects I managed - the scale and what we accomplished.)
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
21.99k
09/26/22 at 1:50AM UTC
That's a tough one. I might try
PMO Senior Business Analyst/Project Manager
and then start with your project manager experience in the experience section below the title. Adding the PMO in front of your official title shows that your position sits in the PMO.
Personally, I don't really recommend you putting just Project Manager as your title - mostly because it wasn't your title.
Are you looking for a PM position? Are you PMP certified?
Robin LampertManaging Projects & Achieving User-Centric Value
662
09/26/22 at 11:40PM UTC
Yes, and yes.
See other replies
Anonymous
09/22/22 at 9:46PM UTC
Recently I heard this same question. The answer was, yes, use the HR/corporate given title. In your accomplishments/experience area within that job you can more clearly expand on what your did. Good Luck.
Julie HumbirdSr. M365 Engineer at Microsoft
1.08k
09/22/22 at 7:56PM UTC
I have never listed my generic, technical HR-given job title on my resume. Its never been a problem. All my employment verifications have been successful.
