Job Titles – Do They Matter?

Job titles are often seen as a central part of an employment package, and for many people, they are a way to show seniority, experience, and progress in their careers. In short, they’re important.

At the same, we’ve talked before about what is, and isn’t, negotiable in an offer, and the opportunity to change your job title is usally pretty limited. So what do you do if you’re offered a fantastic job opportunity, with a not so fantastic title?

 While a job title has some unique benefits for procurement professionals, such as the first impression it makes among various stakeholders, added authority when negotiating deals, and a recognition of your value and success, it’s important not to see it as the be-all and end-all.

 A lack of consistency

First, there is little consistency when it comes to job titles, and they will mean different things to different people. From one company to the other, and certainly from one industry to the next, nobody seems to agree on what responsibilities—and even seniority—a particular job title entails.

It’s essential to look at the entire job description beyond just the title. Consider the role primarily based on content, the scope of responsibility, and the salary involved. Dig deep into what the actual job is and the potential career development on offer, as opposed to relying on a particular title telling you that it’s appropriate or not.

Of course, if negotiating your way up a level in terms of title also makes you eligible for a bigger bonus target, long term incentive, more vacation or a richer relocation package, then it’s worth investigating. In terms of salary though, I have seen director roles filled at $100,000 and associate positions filled at $300,000. In both cases, the role was entirely appropriate for the individual – the companies in question were just structured very differently. If you’re still wed to a specific job title, it’s important to think about why you feel that way.

 What about your resume?

A roadblock for many people when it comes to considering a lesser job title is how it will appear on their resume. Taking what may look like a “step back” on paper would make anyone cautious, and to the untrained eye, going from “director” to “associate” might look like a demotion when a candidate is applying for their next role.

However, most recruiters and hiring managers will look beyond a title and examine what kind of company the position was at, what the role entailed, and the progress you achieved within it. As a candidate, it’s your responsibility to make all this clear on your resume and cover letter if you are concerned. You can also explain your reasoning at the interview stage.

 The procurement angle

As we’ve seen, procurement is a particular area where job titles can be of high importance because of the message they send to internal and external stakeholders. When we deal with people every day, our job titles can give a lot away about the kind of responsibilities we have.

This is especially significant when negotiating with new people because it conveys some authority, and that your organization has trusted you with the responsibility to make big decisions. It also indicates to the other parties involved that you have the experience and the ability to take charge of the deal.

By contrast, procurement professionals often feel a more “junior” title can mean being taken less seriously. Their opinion could be brushed aside or ignored if they are only in an internal meeting as a manager, as opposed to a director, for example.

If being ignored by colleagues is your primary concern, however, that’s also a place we need to dig a little deeper. Not taking someone seriously purely because of their job title says a lot about an organization and its culture. If someone has an excellent idea and it isn’t listened to, it probably doesn’t have to do with their job title at all.

Despite the benefits (actual or perceived) a job title may bring, it’s essential to look beyond this. Instead of chasing a particular title, focus on other elements of the role that will tell you if it’s a great fit, and if it’s going to propel your longer term career forward.