To just give a generic job title when asked?

[PrueLeith]

Was at a child-related event recently with a friend. Another mum came over to chat to both of us, and the conversation turned to jobs.

I said I was a university lecturer. Friend said she was a senior HR advisor.

Other mum left and friend was like 'why didn't you say your actual job?'. I said I did, and she said 'you're not just a lecturer though, your job title is Head of Department'. I said I felt like lecturer was more descriptive of most of what I do, and most people wouldn't care about my actual title. And that I'd feel like a bit of a knob going 'oh, I'm head of department' as if I'm trying to impress people.

This made me wonder what others do. Do you just give a general/generic description, or would you be careful to say eg 'Higher Level Teaching Assistant' or consultant rather than doctor?

AIBU to just give the general title for what I do? Or is it a bit cringey to be really explicit about exactly what level you are?

People don't understand my job title unless they work in the same field, so I usually just say I'm a website designer.

Yakking on about the seniority of your job is very braggy imo. I always introduce myself as a nurse, no one cares about my actual job title.

I just say where I work, don’t normally specify what job.

God YANBU. Other people aren't interested in your job unless you are a film star or a panda trainer, or unless they work in the same field as you, in which case you will chat about that and be more specific.

It definitely depends.
To Non-NHS workers I say ‘Nurse’
Other nurses/healthcare professionals I’m more specific as they’ll know what that job is without me having to explain it!

Depending on who I'm answering, I'll say GP, doctor, or sometimes 'I work at a doctor's surgery '. Last one used most frequently to prevent people either asking me to look at a rash, going on a rant about the state of the NHS or telling me about their own surgery and how terrible it is. I presume they assume I do admin or something because it doesn't usually trigger much response compared to revealing I'm a GP.

I just say I’m an academic. I’ve been Head of School, but it’s not like anyone’s clamouring to do it — it’s a horror slog of meetings and admin, and kissing goodbye to your own research. It circulates in our institution among anyone in the School sufficiently senior. I wouldn’t indicate my seniority, either — that’s a bit weird of your friend.

Yanbu I find it really pretentious when people go into details. It’s surprising how many people drop in that they or their husbands have maths degrees like that’s some kind of badge of honour.

It’s nice to be proud of your achievements but I find bragging quite cringey. I think that’s a lower middle class thing though, whereas true middle/upper middle are brimming with confidence and love to tell everyone how amazing they are.

I normally tell people I work in IT. Last time I told someone I was a network engineer they asked if I could have a look at their broken fridge/freezer

When I use my job title people either look at me as if I am speaking Swahili or just hear "engineer" and assume I can help with their broken white goods/car. It also sounds a bit wanky and far more important/fancy than what I actually do.

YANBU. I tell people I work in banking. I don’t tell them I run a team of investment bankers. Because that would make me look like a twat. Occasionally, I meet another banker who asks which part of banking and the conversation develops, but if you’re not a banker, the specifics of my job are pretty dull.

Head of department at a university is an extra responsibility rather than a job title or indicator of seniority anyway. People are often HoD for a while then pass it on to someone else. Lecturer, senior lecturer, professor etc would be the indicator of your place in the hierarchy. Plus lecturers at red brick unis often spend 80% of their time doing research anyway... I just say I work in X university. If they ask further I say I work in research and the topic if they are interested.

My DH CBA to explain his role so says his role is another role which most people recognise. When I gave notice to get married I had to give his actual job title then say “he might have told you X” as I think he does it so automatically now.

Im a “senior” solicitor but I often just give the name of the place I work.

I’m also a university lecturer (well Associate Professor) and depending on who I’m with I usually either say I work at the university or that I teach. Occasionally I will describe myself by my specialism eg say I’m a Biologist (I’m not but you see what I mean). I would never introduce myself as an AP even though that actually reflects my seniority. Even if another academic asked me what I did, unless they specifically asked what grade I am or whether I’ve been through the PT process.

Snap! "So do you work in Boots?" Usually follows when I say chemist.

This reminds me of when DH and I were interviewed for our wedding licence.
He got asked what I do for a living when I was out the room.
"She's an analyst at investment firm X"
He said confidently.
Deadpan interviewer told him it didn't match my answer.
"Oh maybe Senior analyst in dept Y at firm X? A senior analyst in research in dept Y?...
Went on a while apparently before they put him out of his misery.

I'd just said I work in Finance 🙃

I just give the industry or "IT, lots of data and spreadsheets". Not once has anyone asked me to elaborate 🤣

My actual role can be three very distinct roles all called the same thing (software, finance or operations) - if niche recruiters don't necessarily know the difference, I'm definitely not explaining on a daily basis!

If someone is being a bit annoying and braggy, I do give the full job title: only because at 12 words long it's completely nonsensical and amuses me when someone pretends to understand it (my manager has said they don't understand it themselves and they gave it to me, not being patronising there!)

Ha! This reminds me of posters we had at school in the 90s that's said "not all chemists wear white coats"

I purposely give an obscured description/title to avoid sounding like I'm trying to impress people.

When I applied for my job I wasn’t really sure what the job title was! I’m still not sure it’s really right. Essentially, I’m in admin and that’s what I tell anyone if they ask. Boring enough to not warrant anymore questions.

I say my general job title. I am in a senior role but would never say it during an initial social introduction. I think to do so is a bit wankery.

I am a chatty so would generally question someones role further out of politeness if they were happy to talk about it.

My job title has 8 words and is properly wanktastic because I work for a US company and for some reason they think grandiose titles are good. I just say I do IT stuff or Info security stuff.

Lol, I say I have a very 'boring job for the bank' or 'I do hard sums for a living'. My job title means nothing to most people, it involves a bit of accounting, a bit of detective work a bit of all-sorts really. I find it interesting, but then I'm a bit odd😂🤣 Never stops them asking if I can give them free money though🙄

I never say my job when out socially I just say summat generic eg NHS. Cannot be arsed hearing folk tell me their issues,opinions,experience

I have the same job as you OP.

I say I work at x campus, x university, I teach (very little in fact) such a subject, I manage a group, I work with students ...

Obviously in a professional networking situation I'd explain more but what people definitely aren't asking at a party is about your place in the hierarchy. Still I don't mind what other people say.

I just say I'm an engineer as nobody gives a shit about the specifics. I don't care about my job title so I'm certainly not about to bore other people with it!