Job titles affect our motivation and career development. Does yours reflect your role? If not, how do you win the renaming game?

Your job title matters. A recent survey of 1,500 office workers by the recruitment company, Office Angels, found that 70% would chose a more motivational role or job title over a pay rise. According to the report, Filing Clerks would prefer to be known as Data Storage Specialists and Post Persons, given the choice, would describe themselves as Office Logistics Co-ordinators. Is this just vanity or are there advantages to having a job that sounds professional rather than bog-standard?

Think how much notice you take of what a job is called when you’re scanning vacancies. Titles are usually as good at catching your attention as the salary. When prospective employers are looking at your CV they will react in a similar way to your current job title. Make sure it does you justice.

Bad fit
Sandra, a Senior Administration Assistant in a large local authority, feels her official title does nothing for her. ‘It doesn’t reflect the level of responsibility I have or the variety of work I do. I manage six clerical staff, deal with enquiries from the public and am responsible for a sizeable budget. I particularly hate the word senior, it makes me sound old rather than able!’ She always describes herself as the office manager when telling people what she does, ‘It’s a more accurate reflection of the responsibilities I have. I think having the word manager in my job title would give an application for a higher level post more credibility.’

As well as affecting motivation, an inspiring job title can increase your confidence. If you feel valued by your employer and proud of what you do, you will be more positive about your work and believe in your potential to develop further.

Next page: getting the name right

Stephan Maidhof, HR Partner at IBM, is a firm believer in the power of naming jobs correctly. ‘Job titles need to be motivational. They are a value statement by our business that should instil pride and confidence in our practitioners. Our employees want to easily see the next step on their career path. We call our professionals by what they do for our clients... Data Detectives, Cyberspace Pioneers, Art Directors, Process Innovators, Creative Technologists.’

Ch ch change it
If your job title doesn’t light up your life, don’t just live with it, try to get it changed. A good time to discuss it is during a performance review. Prepare by looking at new responsibilities you have taken on and ways in which your job has changed recently. If you have strengths or specialisms you’d like to develop, think about a title that would reflect that. Go along with ideas of your own for a new title; be prepared to compromise on the wording but not on the principle. If your boss dismisses the idea, explain why it’s important. Don’t be afraid to say you need an acknowledgement of the contribution you are making now in order for your career to develop in the future.

In many organisations titles have not changed in decades but the jobs they describe have undergone a complete transformation. We’re now all increasingly multi-skilled and deserve recognition of the fact. Beware of the grandiose or obscure – such titles can work against you. Aim for something realistic that reflects what you do and draws attention to your abilities rather than your insecurities. Being called Director of Hygiene when your job is washing dishes or Highway Cosmetic Maintenance Technician instead of Street Sweeper is not going to fool anyone. But if being called a secretary makes you feel devalued get it changed to something that is closer to your reality. The term executary is a relatively new and increasingly popular title for those working as management assistants and executive secretaries.

Think about your job title. Is it time for change?

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