Why the Right Job Title Can Be Crucial on a Resume

What is in a name? Well, when it comes to job titles, it is often what defines our role at work. And, when it comes to a resume it could be the make or break of landing you that dream role.

Any good professional resume writer will tell you the importance of standard job titles on your resume. Yes, we get it. Your quirky branding defines your personality and you have earnt that title! But in the job market, these innovative titles are not doing anyone’s prospects any favours.

Rest assured, there is a way to have your cake and eat it too. Here is our reasoning behind it.

Why resume job titles matter

Large corporations like Apple and eBay are doing it. And our resume writers are seeing an increasing trend of new-age job titles on paper. Roles like ‘Chief Cheerleader’ and ‘Chief Troublemaker’ might help to generate some vibe into the team, but do these really portray a good title for a Chief Executive Officer? Mid America Motorworks and Matrix Group tend to think so.

Other roles we found on the Forbes 21 Most Creative Job Titles include:

• Genius = service technician, Apple
• Crayon Evangelist = oversees the graphic design needs, InteQ Corp
• Chief Curator = chooses which items feature on the homepage, eBay
• Director of First Impressions = receptionist, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

These titles are all well and good if you intend to stay put. However, when putting your resume out into the job market they could be your very downfall.

Many recruiters these days employ the services of applicant tracking systems (ATS). These highly-intelligent AI systems sift through and break down candidate information to find those most suited to the job advertised. They make this assumption through the basic information provided in an application and resume.

Innovative job titles mean that ATS will generally skip over unrecognised or non-fitting terminology. The most vital of the key phrases assessed and ranked against job specifications is in fact your job title.

There is no set algorithm when it comes to ATS. However, using industry-specific, generic job titles on your resume is the first step to being recognised.

So, what is one to do?

Following are two quick tips for nailing a job title on your resume and getting you noticed

Reconfigure

If your employer has bestowed you with a new-age title that is likely to be unrecognised, consider revising that on your resume. Do some research on job platforms and find an industry-specific, generic title that you could use instead.

Personalise

Although it is timely to personalise every aspect of your resume for every job you apply for, don’t just attach and go. Job seekers who have the most success read job specifications thoroughly and tweak their resume accordingly.

Look at key words and phrases used throughout the job advertisement. Revise your buzz words to coincide with those used by the advertiser.

Does your job title match that advertised or could you revise your slightly and use those keywords more throughout your skills and experience too? Make sure your CV aligns with the advertisement as much as possible for each job you apply for.

There will never be a one-size-fits-all approach to writing a resume and applying for a job. If you are genuine in your application, the best you can do is highlight your skills and talents honestly and effectively. Don’t let your job title on paper be your downfall.

Could you do with some professional resume writing help? Our team at Resumes to You know how to highlight your strengths and get your application job-ready. Just check in with our team to get started.

Visit www.resumestoyou.com.au to learn more or connect with Resumes To You on LinkedIn or Facebook