What to Do When Your Job Title Doesn't Reflect Your Responsibilities

When you are looking for a new role, it’s important to have a resume that properly reflects the skills and professional experiences you bring to prospective employers. However, some companies like to get creative with their job titles. If you have held a position where your job title doesn’t clearly depict what you did, it can make effective resume writing difficult.

You might think changing your job title to something more recognizable would be an easy solution, but doing this can make you look dishonest and negatively affect your credibility when it comes time for?reference checks?and employment verifications.

So how do you clearly present your responsibilities without compromising the integrity of your resume??Here are 5 best practices you can use:

1. Add Parentheses

When you have a nontraditional job title, listing a more recognizable title in parenthesis next to your actual title is always helpful. Potential employers can then make the connection between your title and what responsibilities you held. For example, if you list your job title as,?Director of First Impressions (Receptionist), the hiring manager reading your resume will have a better idea of the main responsibilities of your role.

2. Buzzwords are Your Best Friend

When you are writing the job overview and bullet points on your resume, use language that is commonly associated with your role’s industry and more traditional titles of your role. For example, if you worked in a call center, using the term VOIP in your responsibilities will help paint the picture of your job duties.

3. Add a Cover Letter

Use your cover letter to accurately explain your role in more detail. Look up the job descriptions for the roles you are applying to and use similar language. This helps the hiring manager read your resume to see the transferrable skills you have as they relate to the role you are applying to.

4. Give Details in the Interview!

Remember, employers, are looking to find professionals who bring the most value to their company. In the interview, hiring managers want to hear about your experiences, not what title you had. Prepare specific examples of your accomplishments to demonstrate your skill set and highlight the unique value you bring to the table.

5. Reiterate Your Responsibilities in Your Thank You Letter

After your interview, write a thank you letter to the interviewer thanking them. In this letter, recap your skills and experiences. This will give your interviewer another opportunity to associate you with your positive attributes and your professional accomplishments.

You are More than Your Job Title

A job title is just that: a title. The value you bring to your company isn’t limited by the job titles you have had. When you use these five tips on your next job search, you will be able to show employers a well-rounded professional who is capable of driving their team’s success, regardless of their open position’s title.