What's in a title?

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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