To ask for a job title change in interview?

[whysonasty]

Job hunting at the moment and I've seen a few positions whose job titles don't really match the job. For instance, simply calling the role "Publications" (whatever that means) when a read of the job description indicates the role is clearly a "Publications Editor". Or "Senior Xx Co-ordinator" when it's really "Senior Xx Manager". It might seem trivial, but I'd like to be recognised for what I'm actually doing.

AIBU to ask for a title to be changed should I be offered the job?

I don't think that might leave a particularly favourable impression!

In interview? No

If you’re offered the job? No harm in asking as part of offer negotiations.

IMO asking in the interview is a no go. It could come across as you knowing better than the people that are looking to employ you. If there was a choice between 2 equally qualified candidates this might go against you.

Sorry, I meant if offered the job. Not at interview.

I don’t think you should ask, no. Your view seems to be that the title is linked to status, and that you are therefore somewhat hierarchical in your approach. Many workplaces are now much more collaborative and have flatter structures, where being a manager etc is less important than the contribution you make to shared goals.

It might be an indicator that you aren’t a great fit, culture wise, for these workplaces, so you should ask careful questions about the culture at interview to work out whether this is the right place for you.

However, this only holds true if the salary they are offering is commensurate with the work and responsibility the role requires. If they are using a ‘lesser’ title to avoid paying the going rate for the work, then my view would be different.

I’ve had a job title change but it was the preceding part - I was recruited on the title marketing manager, but I actually spend far more of my time doing business development, so after three months I asked if I could amend the job title to Business Development Manager rather than Marketing Manager, as it helped when I met clients as they understood I was there to help develop business not just for creative/comms.

The ‘level’ part is harder, at least it is in my industry - we have very clear steps of ‘Coordinator’ then ‘Assistant’ then ‘Executive’ then ‘Manager’, sometimes with some ‘Senior X’ steps in the middle. Asking to change a job for a status purpose rather than a description purpose wouldn’t go down very well in any of the places I’ve worked.

Get the job. Learn the culture. Mention it in your first appraisal if it still seems relevant.

Role titles are agreed at global level in my industry. Even if you asked, we wouldn’t, because it would be weeks of back and forth and involve rewriting SOPs. Rather a narrow view you’re holding….

@Envoitrevisage How do you conclude I have a narrow view based on one post?

@MsAgnesDiPesto Again, how do you draw conclusions on my “view” based on one post?

I’d love to work in a place where there’s no hierarchy. If I ever come across one I’ll be first to apply. The two roles I mention clearly have people in senior roles and have been given the appropriate title. One of the roles is newly created and the lead interviewer admitted she didn’t even know what to call it.

Are you suggesting I’m being precious by questioning things if I do a particular job, bringing a particular amount of experience and qualifications with me yet am downgraded to some obscure, meaningless title…? This has happened to me before and set the standard for opportunities within the company.

Is the onus not on women to push for recognition in what remains largely a man’s world? Not be belittled for doing so?

[quote whysonasty]@MsAgnesDiPesto Again, how do you draw conclusions on my “view” based on one post?

I’d love to work in a place where there’s no hierarchy. If I ever come across one I’ll be first to apply. The two roles I mention clearly have people in senior roles and have been given the appropriate title. One of the roles is newly created and the lead interviewer admitted she didn’t even know what to call it.

Are you suggesting I’m being precious by questioning things if I do a particular job, bringing a particular amount of experience and qualifications with me yet am downgraded to some obscure, meaningless title…? This has happened to me before and set the standard for opportunities within the company.

Is the onus not on women to push for recognition in what remains largely a man’s world? Not be belittled for doing so?[/quote]
I suggest that a less spiky attitude all round might help in your finding a workplace where you can flourish.

You’ll see if you read my whole post that I only say this applies if your salary would still reflect the work and responsibility.

Focussing on titles rather than contribution does indicate you value status over results. Thinking it was appropriate to raise it at interview before you even know about the culture of the place shows how much it matters to you.

I’ve been recruiting in my field for 20 years and have mentored lots of early career professionals into great roles. I am on the committee of the Equality group in my current workplace and we have no problems here with paying women what they are worth. Of course you should be treated, and paid, commensurately with your experience and your contribution. But raising it early on shows a focus on titles which might be out of step with their culture. Interviews are as much for you as them, which is why I suggested asking careful questions to ensure it’s a good fit.

HR here. I don't think this is unreasonable at all. Your title should reflect what you do and at what level. Aside from it being important when you go for your next role, it helps colleagues and external parties understand the scope of your position, at a glance.

I would have brought it up before interview.

Thank you @ABitOfAShitShow. Yes, I don’t get a look in for some jobs, presumably because my job title doesn’t reflect my ability or experience. So I’ve applied for less senior jobs only to be told I’m overqualified once they learn more about my background. So feel I can’t win.

@whysonasty

Because your post seems to suggest that it’s something the hiring manager could change. Personally I think that leads me to believe you think it’s a fairly straightforward thing, and in my experience it’s not. It has broad consequences, salary bandings, SOPs, other people doing that role with the title the company have already selected. Hence why I think your view on this is narrow- it doesn’t appear to take into account the impact that a title change can have on others.

So if we change a “data coordinator” into a “data manager”, suddenly all our reports won’t pull that person through, we then need to change all our standards documents which refer to data coordinators, we need to assess everybody else with the coordinator title, we need new business cards for everyone, we need the profiles loaded into the HR system changed….. etc.

And no, I don’t think titles mean much on a Cv. Companies vary so widely, no hiring team worth their salt ditch applicants without reading past their title.

Job titles matter, and I don't think asking about this is hugely unusual, I have seen people do this.

I have negotiated title at offer and got it, the original title was very vague and would have looked odd on my CV, despite the role being suitable. I wasn't asking for anything else though.

One thing to be aware of is that you maybe negotiating a more senior title without the monetary benefits, unless they're transparent about internal pay structure.

@Stompythedinosaur

Job titles matter, and I don't think asking about this is hugely unusual, I have seen people do this.

I some industries they do. In some industries they don’t.

@Envoitrevisage

Role titles are agreed at global level in my industry. Even if you asked, we wouldn’t, because it would be weeks of back and forth and involve rewriting SOPs. Rather a narrow view you’re holding….

It’s rather a narrow view you’re holding if you think all working environments are like yours.