When I received my business cards from Hetrick, the first thing I noticed was the absence of a title under my name. This got me thinking about titles and their importance.
I am a communications writer, specifically for advertising and marketing. In my career, I’ve had the job titles “Junior Copywriter,” “Copywriter” and “Senior Copywriter.” My title has never had an impact on the work I’ve done; my basic duties have been the same for every position. I have more responsibility now, but that was earned by experience, not by attaining a new title.
Does it matter to you what someone’s title is? Do you feel better if your office is cleaned by a custodial engineer rather than a janitor? Is there really a difference in being the Director of Finance or the Senior VP of Finance? What does a title really add to our professional identities?
My opinion is that titles are society’s polite way to keep score. Since discussions of salary are often taboo in the office and at cocktail parties, we use titles to compare our success to that of our coworkers, neighbors and friends.
So tell me: what’s your title, and do you think it matters?
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I love this topic…a couple of things occur to me. Even though I’m a senior level person, I like to introduce myself to people as “…I work here.” and LOVE eliminating titles on name badges. We all “work here”…thats the important thing.
Titles seem to be extended in lieu of pay increases. They can also have internal meaning only and are therefore practically meaningless publicly. My favorite is “Assistant Director” of a department for which there is no director.
Titles establish the inevitable hierarchy that exist within organizations. I once told a boss- I didn’t care what he called me- janitor would suffice- as long as he let me do my job and gave me a raise….
The most important things to secure in a job are: 1) Compensation, 2) Job Satisfaction, 3) Opportunities for advancement. Comp is driven by performance in my industry so even though I feel I am under-paid I choose to work because everything considered, I am compensated fairly. Job Satisfaction is controlled by choice… If you hate your job quit. It is your responsibility to motivate yourself to the performance level where you feel you have made a difference. That leaves us with opportunities. Often times in corporate America, a title is the only way to get noticed by people from other areas of the company. I am not saying this is right or fair, but it is reality. I’ve noticed in my workplace, as I’ve been promoted through the years, my title has played a very important role in my ability to get things done through out the organization.
While working in nonprofits, my favorite line was, “Long title, short salary.”
Titles do make a difference to others within the organization and on a resume; it’s how people measure your power and experience level in that organization. Now that I’m a freelance writer/copywriter, I’m glad to have all that behind me — although maybe I don’t, since I still feel the need to use a slash!
I used to think job titles mattered. I used to think that they made you feel better about your progression within the “so and so” industry.
Nowadays I’m more concerned with whether I will be employed next week, than with what people call me.
Ryan
Senior Art Director
I think titles are more important to people outside the company than inside. Like you said, titles are a way to compare our success and compete with our friends and neighbors.
“Oh yeah, while I’m a senior assistant director!”
My title is Director of Sales and Marketing. Of course, I am also the Sales and Marketing department, so that doesn’t mean much, unless I look for another job. Then, hiring managers will at least understand that I have director-type experience, which generally translates into extra responsibilities like budgets and management.
Lots of companies do crazy things with titles. Sometimes I think its for the benifit of the employee - but most of the time, when dealing with any type of sales organization, the titles are made up for the potential customer’s benifit…Ever notice how everyone who works at a bank or in the financial field is a VP of something?
I think titles are simply used for our business cards that are passed out to potential clients. A client would rather see VP Sales Manager than Sales Associate. Just my opinion.
It depends on the industry. Titles are supposed to convey decision making authority but have been abused in some sectors to the point of being ridiculous. The banking industry has handed out VP titles for years to the point that the title is meaningless. Now they even have junior VPs and Senior VPs. Also, some industries hand out titles instead of money, the idea being that its cheaper to buff an ego than to increase a paycheck. Personally I don’t care what my title is as long as I get compensated at a level that I think I deserve.
I think titles do matter…and they can work against us. My title is President and CEO, and I use it as seldom as possible when introducing myself in conversation. It creates a distance between me and another. When asked what I do, I say simply that I run XYZ non-profit, and describe the business. That usually promotes a conversation. But if I say I am the P/CEO, a look comes over the face of my partner in conversation, unless they are likewise an executive.
On the other hand, the title is useful in public speaking or writing…whether it should or not, it adds credibility and stature, both to the person holding the title and to the organization.
That’s my 2 cents.
I don’t believe titles on business cards are intended to do much of anything for the people whose name appears above them. I believe they are meant to help the clients who receive them understand that particular individual’s role in the organization, and in particular, on their accounts. In my industry - integrated marketing communications - it helps when the client knows he should call Mary with a creative concern, and Ike if he has a billing or account management issue. If a lofty VP helps the client feel better about the level of staff working diligently on his business’ behalf, I think that’s okay.
I don’t have a title on my business card today, and that’s okay too. It’s better than having a “creative” title like I did years ago - one meant to spark conversation (which it did), but did little to boost credibility or help my clients navigate the Rolodex.
titles are vital for a large organization to distinguish hierarchy. it doesn’t matter if its govt, military, or a business - if staff doesn’t know who to report to, the system falls apart.
outside of medium-sized to very large organizations, titles don’t mean anything. as a business owner I make up a different title for myself every month - and none make a difference as ultimately everyone in my firm knows who does what and nobody I work with cares as long as the job gets done. and I hate the attempts at ‘funny’ or creative titles. the world really doesn’t need another ‘Chief Entertainment and Client Satisfaction Officer’. spare me.
other than that titles are just part of the ammo used when trying to one-up your fellow high school alum.
Help me out here, Steve. Do people in large organizations or the military exchange business cards to determine who reports to whom?
I go back to my original assertion: business cards aren’t for people within an organization. They are an external communication tool.
I think titles are detrimental to younger employees. Ofentimes youth and inexperience is automatically stigmitized on young employees before they’re able to prove themselves.