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?

Any who says they are Senior x or Head of x is wanker and filled with their own self importance. Gives me the ick.

I wish I had your problem!
I'm still a SAHM, even though my DC are in their early 20s. My DD has SN so I care for her FT.

the "senior HR advisor" seems a bit twatty, TBH

I don't agree with your friend, in a social context it's wankery and cringe and say senior this or head of that. Uni lecturer is intimidating enough!

I would find answering I work for the NHS when asked for your job to be annoying and cagey, NHS can mean anything. Even worse when they say 'I'm NHS' I'd just say a Doctor/GP/nurse/admin/cleaner whatever.

I've seen too many videos on twitter to believe that Pandas are trainable 😂

Panda Wrangler would be closer to the truth I suspect.

“I work in tv”.

I work for xx
never tell them what I actually do. I’m CEO!

If general chit chat, I say civil servant.

If a work thing where I need to get a decision or influence direction on something or proper networking, I'll use my actual title of "Head of X policy in Dept of Y".

That's funny. I work in pharmaceuticals and DH likes to tell people I make drugs for a living.

I say I work in HR, my role is a pretty niche HR role and can't be bothered spending time explaining to someone that I'll probably never see again what I actually do, which I'd have to do if I gave my job title

Much the same as others, I do what you did. In truth, I spend most of my working life in meetings, so I tend to just grin, and say "I'm a professional meeting attender".

I'm a Finance Business Partner but I just say I work in Finance.

I say I work in the NHS. For some reason I don’t say hospital consultant or give my other management roles.

I just say I work in a dental practice - people usually assume I’m on reception

as soon as I say ‘I’m a hygienist’ The conversation goes
‘ohhh. Well I’ve got this tooth ……..’

I tell people I'm a university lecturer, but I don't have a secret higher rank :).

My friend always says " computer programmer" He neglects to mention he formed the business and has over 100 employees

I say administrator if i tried to explain we would be there all day.. even i'm not quite sure what it is i do after 24 years in the job !

Ok.
I think the point was I am the supervisor but I don’t bother telling people I’m the supervisor?
And I don’t use the job title as it’s needlessly long

I do exactly the same.
I just say I'm a university lecturer in a generic subject. If I say my actual subject I get a lot of people saying they didn't know it was a real subject and people can be quite rude ( Mickey Mouse degree etc.... when actually it's a highly sought after qualification with excellent prospects).
Also, if I give my actual job title of Associate Dean international then I get a of 'ooooh get you'

Lecturer is just easier

I recently changed jobs and i say “I work in a school it’s great to be off with the kids at holidays” and if asked further if I am a TA or teacher I explain I am the catering manager..

My friend worked in investment banking, really quite high-powered job. When she was on maternity leave, in disguise as 'just a mummy' she said she worked for a bank and people assumed she meant behind the counter in Barclays....

I'm retired now but used to have great fun just completely making up a random job title if people asked me (in situations where I would never meet them again so it really didn't matter), it's fascinating how people judge your character on how you earn your money ... most of my career I've worked in retail so I would say 'I work for Tesco' (example - I didn't) & people assume you work at branch level and everyone has their own option of Tesco and how they've got so many ideas that would work brilliantly to improve sales .

It's common slang for an anaesthetist! (I'm a gas lady)

I either say doctor/anaesthetist/work at the hospital, depending how much I want to give away. Almost never say I'm a consultant outside a professional context.

My dh does the same as you and I’d be pmsl if he introduced himself as a head of department. Christ!

Agree that most people give a brief description. I just say civil servant which is incredibly broad, I'm relatively senior but don't need to start rattling off my portfolio, will go into it more if asked.