Acting up promotion - how to word it

[SweetHolme]

Hi all,

Some work advice advice needed if possible. I have been at my company for years, I am established and a well liked member of the team. There is a “head of” role that came up as a 6 month acting up cover whilst that post holder goes on to another division temporarily. We work for the type of company where promotions are few and far between (people don’t tend to leave so maternity leave is often the best opportunity for promotion). Lots of managers, some with more experience than me, went for it it was really competitive and hard (tasks, multiple rounds of interview and panel etc) and I didn’t think I would get it but I got it!

Because the job title is quite “impressive” for want of a better word (it’s a Head of Department job and currently I am a Manager) I want to make the most of this 6 month period and update my LinkedIn. I was thinking of looking for a new job anyway next year so this acting up period would really help me.

However, will it look naff / weird on LinkedIn that I am updating my title for something that is only 6 months acting up? I’m worried anyone outside of our company will think it’s not worth shouting about, but here because I know how big the job is and how competitive it was I do want to use it to my advantage with external recruiters etc.

so if you were me, how would you update your LinkedIn job title?

currently it is “Name of Department Manager” and my new role title for the next 6 months is “Head of Department”

Because the person whose full time job this is is definitely coming back to her post, I feel I need to flag that it is only interim / temporary. Which of these would you do:

“Head of Department (secondment)”
”Head of Department (interim)”
”Head of Department (acting up)”
”Head of Department (6 month attachment)”

I am worried they all sound a bit naff to be honest and not worth doing but if I were a man I think I would be more openly proud of this achievement and shouting about it, and it genuinely will really help me get that next job.

thoughts appreciated, thanks

Congratulations on the new role!
I've never known anyone to flag an interim position on LinkedIn unless they are being clear they are contractors.
You're doing the job so that's what your job title is! Just update it and stop worrying.
The person that's coming back to the job will know you're not replacing her for good.

For your own career development put yourself first. If you get to a position where you go back to your old job before you get another then update it the title to say 'interim head of x'. But for now you are 'head of x'- no further caveat needed.

I think you are overthinking this. I'd change your title to: Acting head of department.

Definitely do it if you are going to be job hunting. Why wouldn't you? Congratulations!

Acting Head of Dept sounds fine!

God yes. You know LinkedIn should really be renamed 'Boasting'? Well, now's your chance to do some strategic, career-enhancing boasting of your own. I would probably have gone for (secondment) although acting is also fine.

Bloody well done you, what a fantastic achievement.

I’m not good at professional stuff. However, I wouldn’t use the wording ‘acting up’, as I think it has negative connotations. I understand how you’re using it here, but to me it makes me think of negative behaviour, e.g. “she’s been acting up (behaving badly) in class”. It might have a subconscious impact on a reader you don’t expect.

Congratulations on the new role! Always a good feeling especially when you aren’t expecting it.
You could state on your LI that it is a 6 month secondment opportunity, I’ve seen plenty of posts like that on there and that sounds well.

Oh god. You are overthinking this.

congratulations

when using linked in, or applying for jobs, you just put your job title. “Head Of X”. In the bullet points underneath you can mention it was a secondment or a maternity leave cover position. Or, don’t mention it? You only need to let employers know if they ask why you left

If you’re thinking from the perspective of a confident man, then i don’t see the point in not using your “head of X” title. You don’t owe it to anyone to specify how long you’ve been more senior or that it’s only a temporary role. It’s like you’re making excuses

I’ve never heard “acting up” in this context.

Acting “job title”

usually

Just put the job title and then ‘January 2023 to present’ (or whenever you start). If you are applying whilst still doing that role I wouldn’t even mention it’s a temporary role. If it’s after you’ve finished, I’d put ‘acting (job title)’ for the dates

Secondment is fair and transparent - well done you for trying to do the honourable thing.

Plus if you don't put secondment it looks like you somehow lost the job after 6 mos and got demoted!