Chief of Happiness: Employers Are Changing Job Title Meanings From Classic to Cool
Did you know that a Director of First Impressions has similar responsibilities as a Receptionist? Or that People Manager is another term for Head of Human Resources? These days, job titles have become more and more creative. Companies are trying to cultivate a more appealing image for potential new hires.
But what’s in a name, really? Job title meanings are supposed to explain your contributions to the company and is also a way to show tenure or how far you’ve come in your career. Creative or trendy job titles are fun, interesting, and can inspire confidence in whoever assumes them.
However, some trendy job titles might end up creating challenges for an employee, instead. In 2018, Singapore’s labour MP and NTUC assistant secretary-general Patrick Tay warned companies against inflating job titles and shortchanging staff. It was revealed that some companies would “promote” their rank-and-file employees with better-sounding titles to avoid paying overtime.
As more creative job titles come up in your job search, it is natural to be drawn to their fancy terms and potentially exciting opportunities. But looking for a job is more than just going for a cool job title. Make sure to read the job posting carefully to see if you’re applying for a role that is ideal for you.
Why Do Employers Use Trendy Job Titles?
Unconventional job titles have risen in popularity through the years, partly to appeal to candidates from the Gen Z and Millennial sets. As the younger generations make up the majority of today’s workforce, companies look for ways to connect with them. One effort is to create job titles that keep up with trends in pop culture.
Job titles are also a reflection of changing times. As work evolves, new jobs with unique job titles emerge. Throughout this pandemic, for example, many companies found themselves adjusting their structures to adapt to the crisis. It resulted in employees taking on more responsibilities than their jobs entail, which may require a change in the job title.
The shift to remote working also prompted the need for a “Head of Remote” role in some companies. A title that was rarely heard of before, this role helps the company oversee the remote working setup, ensuring that people who work remotely will get the same benefits as those who work on-site. In some cases, the Head of Remote also helps promote remote working externally, helping attract talent and clients who may be interested in this setup.
Here are some trendy job titles you may encounter in your job search:
Talent and Vibe Manager
Developer Ninja
Customer Service Wizard
Rockstar Analyst
Full Stack Magician
Innovation Alchemist
Workstation Evangelist
Pros of Trendy Job Titles
While cool job titles may seem like a fad, they do serve a purpose. Job titles in general are very important – they create meaning and give significance to the role, helping one understand their place within an organization. Creative job titles are usually used by equally creative companies to boost their employee’s confidence, and can also help generate interest in the role.
Fun job titles can help energise workers. London Business School Professor Dan Cable did a study on self-reflective job titles, inviting employees to create fun titles that better describe the work they do. What he found was that with more creative descriptors (e.g., using “germ slayer” instead of infectious disease specialist), the employees found more meaning in their work. By highlighting their purpose, the employees feel more energized and proud of their jobs. They’re often less stressed, too!
They are a reflection of company culture. Creative job titles are a way for companies to show job seekers their personalities. By veering away from the traditional means of naming job roles, the company is saying that they’re modern, fresh and unique. If this is the type of company you’re looking for, then creative job titles may be what you need to find.
Creativity sparks curiosity. We hear it often enough when meeting new people: “What do you do?” While traditional job titles may be easier to explain, a creative one can spark curiosity and generate a longer, more fruitful discussion. Sharing your creative job title with others can help break the ice and start the conversation flowing. Who knows, it might help you network, too!
Cons of Trendy Job Titles
Too much creativity can be confusing. When the job title becomes too fancy or trendy to explain, the role becomes vague and difficult to understand. It might be hard to move roles, too. Imagine moving jobs and having a potential employer read your CV. They may misinterpret your former position or your intention and end up overlooking your application entirely. Job titles work best when they give a clear picture of what the role entails.
Unconventional titles are different in every company. Having a trendy job title may be fun, but it might be challenging to compare with your peers. It would be challenging to benchmark your role against industry standards because there may be no one else like you. Benchmarking can help you leverage your value. Are you getting paid competitively? Are you doing tasks within your remit? Are you doing too much?
Overly creative titles can lead to job title inflation. Job title inflation occurs when professional titles are created simply for talent attraction and not much else. When employers don’t have the funds to pay their employees lucratively, they offer an appealing job title instead. While this may work as a confidence booster (some millennials have been known to trade in a higher salary for a better-sounding title), it can also misrepresent your job and devalue your position.
What to Do When Faced With Trendy Job Titles
Interested in a role with a creative job title? Before hitting that apply button, there are some things you should remember:
Remind yourself what role you want. Creative job titles may be so enticing that you might end up forgetting your job-seeking goals in the first place. Dr Katharine S. Brooks of the Career Center at Vanderbilt University suggests asking yourself four simple questions to identify what kind of role you’re looking for:
Who - Who do you want to work with all day? Assess the kind of colleagues, clients, or customers with whom you would look forward to working.
What - What do you see yourself doing? What kind of service do you want to provide? What materials (e.g., working with data vs. tangible materials) do you want to work with? What environment do you see yourself working in?
Where - What kind of workplace excites you? Do you want to travel for work?
Why - Why does this kind of job appeal to you? Look at your choices in the previous questions and think about the “whys” behind them.
Check the JD. The job description helps explain the job title better. A list of roles and requirements will help you gain a better understanding of what the position entails. It might even give you a clue as to whether the title is inflated or not. For example, a director role that doesn’t lead a team of people, for example, can be a red flag.
Ask around. Network with people in your industry or with people in the industry you want to work in and look for someone with a similar job title. Ask them what their job is like, how they got it, and what they like about what they do. Hearing from people with experience usually gives a clearer picture than what the job posting says.
Check out our Career Resources page for more tips that can guide you in your job search. It also offers expert insights and advice that could help give a boost to your career journey.
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