How much does current job title affect ability to get new jobs?

[Wonderbug81]

I'm currently a Head of Dept but my skills and experience are basically Director level (I report to a Director now, but they are more like a CEO/Chief).

I've been made redundant and really want to get a Director role next.

My line manager is supportive of changing my job title (just on their systems in case a reference request is made, not publicly) to reflect my seniority and skills. He said if I wasn't being made redundant it would have happened before anyway but HR are dragging their feet on it.

Should I keep pushing for it? How much could it impact my chances of getting Director roles?

If that's the level you've been acting at I would 100% do this.

You’ve got nothing to lose

Thank you!

I guess I was mainly trying to gauge how much it's actually affecting my job search now, as HR don't seem keen to formalise it e.g. how much harder is it to get Director roles when you have a Head of title (and when you might be up against other Directors)?

It will always be easier to step sideways than upwards when moving organisation. You could probably argue the toss based on your experience, but it's a tough market out there currently and if you pass on the first scan because your title is 'correct' then it just removes a layer of the process where you might get discarded.

Thanks, that's where my head is at too, good to have it reinforced.