What’s in a job title? Quite a lot… and sometimes, not nearly enough.
In the working world, job titles can carry a sense of identity, status, and progression. They help us benchmark where we stand in our careers, offer a sense of clarity when applying for roles, and help others understand what we think we do. But here’s the thing we should remember, job titles don’t always tell the full story and often that can be a big problem, especially when your job hunting or hiring.
Job Titles: same name, different game
A “Project Manager” at one company could be running multi million pound transformation programmes, while at another, they might be overseeing the ordering of office supplies. A “Customer Success Manager” in one company could be deeply strategic, acting as a trusted advisor to clients, while elsewhere it’s a purely reactive support role.
What a job title means internally doesn’t always match how the wider job market interprets it. This disconnect can lead to missed opportunities on both sides. Talented professionals might overlook roles because the title doesn’t resonate with them. Meanwhile, hiring managers may dismiss excellent candidates who’ve held the “wrong” title even though their day-to-day responsibilities match up perfectly.
Letters on paper don’t paint the picture
Another issue? Job titles are just words or more accurately, alphabetical letters on a screen or piece of paper. They rarely bring to life the full scope of a role. They don’t reflect the energy, the team dynamics, the problem-solving, the leadership, or the challenges faced each day. This is especially true for evolving industries and hybrid roles that don’t fit neatly into traditional categories.
When hiring, it’s crucial to go beyond the label. Job descriptions need to be more than a bland list of duties and required skills. They should offer real insight into what the role actually feels like, how it contributes to the bigger picture, who it interacts with, and what success looks like.
The power of “A Day in the Life”
One of the most effective ways to bridge the gap between job title and job reality is through “A Day in the Life” content, whether that’s a short video, a blog, or a photo-led post from a current team member, this type of content helps bring roles to life. It’s also equally valuable for candidates to hear and see your people ad hear their why and how for being in the company.
It allows potential candidates to picture themselves in the role, within the culture, and amongst the team. It humanises the job, offers transparency, and can significantly improve the quality of applicants by helping people self-select based on a deeper understanding of the role.
So, my final thoughts
Your job title is just the beginning of your story by any means, and it certainly is not the whole book. Whether you’re a jobseeker trying to navigate vague titles or a hiring manager looking to attract top talent, it’s essential to look beyond the surface. Be curious. Ask more. Share more.
If companies want to attract the right people, they need to communicate roles more clearly and creatively. And if you’re searching for your next opportunity, don’t be afraid to look past the title and dig into what the role really means.
“A job title is only the surface, the real opportunity lies in the passion, talent, and possibility hidden within.”