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?

I just say scientist. Unless the person I'm speaking to is clearly not listening or I'm being a dickhead for some reason and then I try to get away with the most ludicrous job possible. So far I've been a male model, catholic priest and cage fighter. I'm petite and obviously female.

I didn't know when I started doing it but for some reason my sister does exactly the same, except she is more of a dickhead than me and she lies to everyone. She'd been dating her now husband for two years before he found out what she really did, which I find particularly amusing as they met at work 😁

What a fascinating thread this is. Agree with everyone else that I offer a fairly generic job description in general conversation on the basis anyone who is genuinely interested can ask follow-up questions. I find certain jobs/professions inherently more interesting than others – I guess we all do, though what we find interesting may vary – so some I would want to know more and others I wouldn't!

@ChristmasLightsLover FWIW my DH says he is a writer, so he goes generic too.

I tell people I work in school admin. Which is true but mostly people assume that means I’m a school receptionist rather than what I actually do which is manage admin functions across a multi academy trust as part of the executive leadership team - which just makes me sound like a knob

My job title has 4 words in it. If asked I just say I'm a scientist and 90% of people respond with 'wow, you must be clever'. Was quite good during the pandemic though as even my Mum started getting interested in my job (I work in Pharma)!

To me your friend saying 'senior's HR advisor just sounds silly. There not asking what grade you are just basically what's your job. I agree with you id just say a lecturer or I work in the university. The only people that need self gratification are the ones who doubt themselves. I can't stand when people say senior..junior.. head of etc. It makes no difference people just want to know what you do not what grade you are at it

I state my exact job title because 1) I'm proud to be in this role after years of studying and gaining experience, 2) because I love my job, and 3) because it's a conversation starter and people will then ask me what exactly I do.

I can see why you might not be specific though, especially if the role is industry-specific. Completely up to you how much you share!

How interesting, yes you must see a whole plethora of responses

YANBU. People ask because they are (vaguely) interested in the type of work you do, not what dizzy heights you’ve achieved in that field. I’d have said the same as you OP.

I tell you what I do not say - "Mortgages". Because everyone has an opinion about the housing market/rates/the morals of mortgage lenders and thinks I want to hear it!

I usually just say 'I shoot people' and that shuts that conversation down pretty fast

I’m a Head of in a large charity but when people ask, I just say I’m a fundraiser. Unless they work in the sector also, then it doesn’t sound wanky because it actually means something to them!

But if you are head of department, aren't you a professor? That is something to be proud of, you earned that, just like someone saying they are a colonel in the army, nothing wrong with that though senior he advisor seems ott - that's a made up internal title not something comparable across organisations

But now I wish I was a panda trainer!

I would do the same as you, I give my occupation (accountant in my case) rather than my corporate job title.

@TheYearOfSmallThings

Unfortunately people are interested in my job, I thus generally don't tell people exactly as it ends up with them asking for help/advice

I am the same as you. I am the Head of School at a university. Within academia I would said tell people I'm the head and mention the school/university. Outside academia, I just say I am a university lecturer. It makes more sense to people.

Sadly not, just a reader. I think the profs in my department are too valued for their research to be talked into a HoD role!

What I usually said was "I work in Social Services" or even more vaguely "I work for the council". In a social setting what does it matter what my day job is? Is it so I can be judged? They can crack on with that then.

I could have said that I was the group accountant for social services, reporting directly to two heads of service but then people would hear one word in that and want me to advise them on investments or help with their taxes, neither of which I was qualified for. Most people didn't actually care, they were keen to go back to talking about themselves.

I have my own business, I say I'm an administrator.

I thought an EA was estate agent?!

My job title is some meaningless civil servant gift that means nothing to anyone outside the organisation and not much to half who work in it!
I just say team manager in local council and they're normally switched off by then anyway... if I explain what I actually do I get no end of questions (which is a reason not to explain half the time)

I'd rather lessen my title than big it up though.

I say the general job as that's what's interesting and I would also feel like my level of senioirity isn't what most people are asking about

I think it’s fine to give something fairly generic; It can be a conversation starter; Doctor? What sort of specialism? Where did you train? Teacher? What subject? Or primary? Special Needs? Etc.

I say I’m a midwife rather than my specialism within midwifery.

I’m a hospital consultant but I rarely tell people that in casual/social situations, because firstly I’m just not interested in discussing work in those situations, secondly people will often ask for medical advice wbhich is highly inappropriate in those contexts and lastly also because many people have opinions on my specialty (psychiatry) and think they know an awful lot about how I should do my job. So I just say something along the lines of ‘I work in the hospital’ and the vast majority of people assume I’m a nurse. I don’t lie and agree with them but I don’t disabuse them of their assumption either.