Job Titles - Examples for Your Resume in 2023

Have you neglected the importance of professional job titles in your resume? You're not alone. Many job seekers overlook the significance of these small but essential details.

So, did you know that the job titles you use on your resume and job search can impact your chances of being interviewed? Instead of simply listing the titles that your past and current employers have given you, consider writing targeted, professional job titles that accurately reflect your skills and experiences.

This can help your resume stand out to potential employers and show that you fit the role well. 

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What Does "Job Title" Mean?

A job title is a short phrase that describes an individual's position or role within an organization. Job titles are typically used to identify a job's specific duties and responsibilities and differentiate it from other positions within the organization.

For example, common job titles include "account manager," "sales associate," "customer service representative," and "operations manager." These titles provide a brief job overview and help employers and employees understand each position's roles and responsibilities.

Your Title In Your Summary

One of the places where you need to use a professional job title is in the resume summary section at the top of your resume. This is the first thing a potential employer will see, so making a good impression is essential. Use a job title in your resume summary that accurately reflects your skills and experiences and grabs the reader's attention.

For example, instead of simply listing your current job title, you could use a more specific and descriptive title such as "Experienced Marketing Coordinator with a focus on digital strategy and social media management." This will help you stand out and show you are a strong candidate for the job.

Examples of Common Job Titles

• Sales Associate
• Customer Service Representative
• Account Manager
• Operations Manager
• Human Resources Specialist
• Project Manager
• Marketing Coordinator
• IT Support Technician
• Data Analyst
• Graphic Designer

When choosing a professional job title for your resume, it's important to follow two essential guidelines

Your title should grab the attention of recruiters and help you stand out from other candidates.

It should also include keywords recognized by applicant tracking systems (ATS), often used to screen resumes before human recruiters review them.

One way to ensure that your title meets these criteria is to match it with the job title used in the job posting. For example, if a company is looking for a "Project Manager," you could use the same title on your resume.

If you want to be more creative and differentiate yourself from other candidates, you can use a unique and eye-catching job title, as long as it includes relevant industry keywords that recruiters and ATSs will recognize. Remember to use your resume summary to showcase your personality and highlight your qualifications.       

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Selecting Your Job Title

People make several common mistakes when choosing a professional job title for their resume. Some of these mistakes include the following:

Using a generic or vague job title that doesn't accurately reflect your skills and experiences. For example, instead of using a specific and descriptive title such as "Digital Marketing Specialist," you might use a more generic title such as "Marketing Professional" or "Marketing Coordinator."

Using a job title irrelevant to the position you are applying for. This can confuse recruiters and make it difficult for them to understand your qualifications and how they relate to the job.

Using a job title that is too long or complex. Avoid using long, convoluted titles that are difficult to read or remember. While you want your title to be descriptive, it should also be concise and easy to understand.

Copying the job title from the job posting without considering whether it accurately reflects your skills and experiences. While it's essential to use keywords from the job posting, you should also tailor your title to your unique qualifications and make sure it accurately reflects what you can bring to the role.

Your Job Title & Work Experience Section

If you have previously held a job title that is specific to a particular organization and you are now applying for a job, it may be helpful to consider using a more widely understood and industry-recognized job title on your resume. This can help recruiters understand your qualifications and responsibilities more easily and quickly and improve your chances of passing the initial applicant tracking system (ATS) screening.

For example, instead of using an organization-specific title such as "Associate Product Manager," you could use a more widely understood and industry-recognized title such as "Product Manager" or "Junior Product Manager." This will make it clear to recruiters that you have experience in product management and a certain level of seniority and responsibility in the field.

Examples of How-to Tailor Your Job Title

If you have a job title that is not widely understood or specific to a particular organization, you can make it more precise and widely understood by adding details about your skills and experiences. Here are some examples of how you could do this:

• Instead of using a vague title such as "Business Development Associate," you could use a more specific and descriptive title such as "B2B Sales Specialist."
• Instead of using a generic title such as "Account Manager," you could use a more specific and descriptive title such as "Enterprise Account Manager."
• Instead of using a confusing title such as "Project Coordinator," you could use a more specific and descriptive title such as "Agile Project Manager."
• Instead of using a vague title such as "Marketing Professional," you could use a more specific and descriptive title such as "Digital Marketing Specialist."

How to Add Your Job Title to Your Resume?

When using job titles on your resume, it's essential to consider how human recruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATS) will read and interpret them. To make your job titles as influential as possible, consider the following tips:

Use the language and keywords from the job posting

 When applying for a specific job, look for keywords and phrases in the job posting that are relevant to your skills and experiences. These keywords can help you tailor your job titles to the specific role and make them more visible.

Make small adjustments to your job titles

If your current or past job titles are not directly relevant to the job you are applying for, you can make small adjustments to make them more specific and relevant. For example, if you worked as a "Customer Support Agent" for a bank and are applying for a job requiring five years of client service experience, you could use the title "Client Service Agent" on your resume.

Be specific and descriptive

In your job titles, aim to be as specific and descriptive as possible. Avoid using vague or generic job titles that don't provide any information about your qualifications and experiences. This will help recruiters understand your skills and experiences more quickly and easily and improve your chances of passing the initial ATS screening.