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Job Titles On Resume

job titles on resume

When we write a resume, we know that every little detail is important. We usually focus on our personal information, skills, qualities, languages we can speak, and the description of our work experience.

However, one thing is always overlooked which can actually make a considerable difference: Job Titles.

Why Are They So Crucial? Do Recruiters Pay Attention To Them?

Today I’m going to address these and other questions.

By the end of this article, you’ll know how Job Titles On Resume can help you to stand out from other candidates and also increase your chances of landing the job of your dreams.

Why Are Job Titles So Important?

In 2018, the job site Ladders conducted an interesting study to find out how long it takes for a recruiter to decide whether your resume is worth it or not.

7 Seconds To Change Your Life

The results are pretty shocking. Every resume is scanned on average for just 7.4 seconds.

Do you know what they’re mainly looking at in such a short time?

As you probably guessed, job titles are almost everything they need to make up their mind.

Top-down

The first thing they notice is the job title at the top, which reflects the position you’re applying for.

Then they quickly go through your job history to verify that what you’ve done in your past is relevant to the job they’re offering. At the same time, they check that your career has progressed over the years.

In What Way?

If you’re applying for a manager position at a business consulting firm, your resume should show all the necessary steps: Business Analyst, Junior Consultant, and Senior Consultant. If you’ve been stuck working at the same level for ten years, that’s a bit suspicious, and the recruiters might decide to discard your resume.

The same happens when you try to skip one step applying for a job that you’re not qualified for; the recruiters will notice it immediately just by looking at the job titles.

job title on resumes

But Here’s Something That Might Surprise You

There’s an even more significant reason why job titles are so important on your resume. At least when recruiters go through the selection process, they might notice something else in your resume besides titles and can still decide to call you in for an interview.

But what happens when people are substituted with software?

Applicant Tracking System: What It Is & Why It Is Relevant To Job Titles?

Every big company that regularly launches a recruitment campaign uses some sort of software to facilitate the screening process. This is especially important at the first stage when they receive thousands of applications.

It would take months for a recruiter to go through all of them, while a machine can do the same job in just a few seconds.

ATS’s Are, Therefore, Necessary

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a software application that does precisely this. It screens all the resumes searching for keywords that match the job requirements, and then it ranks all the candidates according to their experience and their qualification.

And Guess What?

Job titles are arguably the single most important aspects that will allow you to pass the ATS screening.

As we’ve seen, job titles say everything about you to a recruiter, and the same applies to this software.

The Most Important Job Title in Your Resume

The first job title you have to write is right at the top of your resume, somewhere under your personal information and contact details.

This is the most critical one because it is the first one that recruiters will see.

What Section am I Talking About?

Two definitions are generally used for that section:” job you’re applying for” or “desired job title.”

The first applies when you respond to a position advertised in a job listing. In this case, the job title you write should match precisely the one written on the job posting.

Why is That Important?

Because it shows that you personalize your resume according to the position you’re applying for.

Furthermore, the recruiters or the ATS will immediately recognize that your resume is relevant to the job.

On The Other Hand

The second scenario is when you send a speculative application which means that you’re contacting a company that you’d like to work for even if they don’t have any vacancies at the moment.

In this case, you should write your desired job so that they will possibly call you back when a recruitment campaign for that position is launched.

Whatever your situation, if you leave that section empty, chances are that your resume will be immediately trashed.

Use Professional Job Titles

Job titles should always be professional and easy to recognize for a recruiter or software application. Originality is an attractive skill for almost every job, but creativity has to be left aside when it comes to writing job titles.

the job titles on resumes

For Example

If you’re applying for a bartender position, and the job title that you have on your resume is Chief Beverage Officer, the ATS will not detect it. And even a recruiter might have a hard time recognizing it, and most likely, they will discard your application.

A professional job title should include two pieces of information: your responsibilities in the position (manager, director, senior…), and the type of job (accountant, receptionist, housekeeper…).

Why?

The first one shows how your career has progressed, while the second will tell the recruiter what you can actually do.

Make sure you don’t overlook the importance of both of these elements.

Do You Have More Questions?

If you’re busy designing your resume, you can also check out my article on Hobbies Interests to Put on Resumes. And for intensive guidance in writing a CV, I recommend the book: The 7 Second CV.

Once you’re confident your resume or CV is perfect, we can also assist with full details on application processes for many US-based companies. We have everything from Safeway Jobs Application to Vans Application to The Ritz Carlton Application details. Just type your ideal employer into our search box. You’ll probably find it!

However, regardless of your dream company, my top recommendation is to start preparing yourself for potential questions that will likely come up in almost any interview. Read my in-depth articles on Answering Tell Me About Yourself in Interview and responding to questions such as: Why We Should Hire You? and Why Do You Want to Work Here?

For other great resources to own to interview like a pro every time, check out these books: Answering Tough Interview Questions For Dummies, Interview Like A Pro, and How to Create Positive Impressions.

OK, back to today’s topic…

Final Thoughts

Job Titles On Resumes are not just something that we write to show off our achievements. It is necessary information that can make the difference between getting hired or having your application dismissed.

If you want to boost your chances of being called for an interview, make sure that your job titles are professional, relevant to the position you’re applying for, and easy to see on your resume, even with a quick glance. Because the bottom line is that seven seconds is all the time that the recruiters might spend on your resume.

Good luck with your job applications!

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