Job titles.

Funny things, aren’t they?

They’re just labels for the work that you do…but at the same time, they’re so much more.

On the one hand, they help us feel recognised, they give us something to aim for, and they give your work boundaries.

On the other hand, job titles can feel frustrating, and even constricting, especially when:

🔷 You’re asked to go above and beyond your remit but your job title doesn’t change

🔷 You’ve outgrown your role and want to move into a new space but you feel like hiring managers and recruiters don’t even give you a chance because you don’t have the exact job title match in your CV

🔷 You fell into a career but never fully fell in love with it and so sharing where you work is as enjoyable as getting a root canal

🔷 You have a job title that people need to Google to understand what it is, and even then they’re not clear, so you have to constantly explain what you do to everyone you meet

For the self-employed, job titles can feel almost irrelevant.

We often juggle multiple roles —creative director, website wizard, manic marketer, accountant, social media manager, customer service rep, and also my least favourite – IT support (I’m a tech grandma)

Let’s dive into what they bring up for us and how we can look at them another way.

Wrong Fit Job Titles

When you’re not in the job or career you want, job titles can be a touchy subject.

Especially when you’re at a party and someone asks you the dreaded question: ‘What do you do?’

Everyone’s answers are short, easy, no sweat.

Their job titles roll off their tongues as effortlessly as if they were sharing their star sign.

Then they come to you.

Your palms get clammy, your throat tightens, your mind races…

You’re not proud of your job title. It’s not you!

But you can’t open that can of worms.

Not when this is just a casual question they asked.

Do you give them the title – digital marketing strategist?

Or go vague and tell them the department –“I work in marketing”

OR go even more abstract and tell them the industry – “I work in the consumer goods industry”?!?!

The last two make it feel obvious that you’re hiding something.

And the first one isn’t you.

So what do you tell them….?

I remember when I was in the wrong fit job.

When they asked me what I did, I would never just say my job title.

I would shove an explanation at the end of it:

“I’m a PA..for the moment…but that’s not what I actually want to do, it’s just temporary until I find what I’m looking for.”

I would pray they wouldn’t ask me “And what is it you’re looking for?“, because then I’d have to tell them I didn’t know!

All I knew was that THIS – what I was doing – wasn’t it.

I knew I had SO much more to give than my job required of me.

And I wanted them, these total strangers I’d been introduced to a mere second ago, to know that too.

So they wouldn’t dismiss me or underestimate me or judge me.

(Nothing wrong with being a PA by the way, it just wasn’t my right-fit job).

Solution: Take control of the narrative

Whether it’s fear of judgment that’s holding you back, or simply not wanting to be boxed in by a title, this hesitation to reveal what we do can leave us feeling socially disconnected.

So don’t hide buttercup!

Instead, start steering the conversation onto topics that interest you.

Like the new career you want to move into:

“I’m a PA, but what I’m really excited about lately is organising events and helping people create memorable experiences. What’s the last event you’ve been to that stood out for you?”

Or get them to share tips:

“I’m a PA, but I’m also really into exploring new tech tools to make work more efficient. Do you use any productivity tools that help you in your daily life?”

You see how you’re still sharing your job title, but it’s not the main focus?

Instead, you’re pulling them into a topic that excites you, and then THAT, that passion you display, is what people will remember you for.

Plus, you’re doing networking so much better than most people do.

You’re diving straight past the small talk (that, let’s face it, everyone hates) and you’re asking them their opinion or personal experiences.

You’re showing genuine interest. Which, not only makes you interesting, but makes you connect to people in a more meaningful way.

Obscurity and Ambiguity in Modern Day Roles

Back in previous generations, before computers and start-ups, titles were straight-forward.

You were a manager, a shopkeeper or a spy.

We knew what these occupations entailed.

When someone shared their job title, we could picture what they did (yes, even what the spies got up to, thanks Bond, James Bond).

Nowadays, we have COUNTLESS new professions and ways of working available to us.

That’s affected our job titles.

Some have become inflated and grandiose (think “Director of First Impressions” for a receptionist), whilst some are bordering on sounding like they’ve been bestowed to you by your toddler during a game of afternoon tea (eg. Chief Happiness Officer)

Others have become longer and more specific, whilst simultaneously becoming more obscure.

I used to have no idea what an Agile Scrum Coach was.

And yet my LinkedIn always served me those job adverts (it’s a simple robot, it thought any job with the word ‘coach’ would fit me).

Personally, I associate scrum with rugby.

So whenever I saw those jobs going, I always thought they were looking for is a swift-footed 6ft viking-like sportsman, and I’d chuckle to myself picturing them in suits pacing down the corridors of Accenture.

Solution: Lean into explaining

Some of my clients worry that people won’t know what their job titles mean.

Especially if they’re switching industries.

And you know what, you’re right. They won’t know (especially if you’re coming from TV, Film or other art professions).

But that’s normal.

Nowadays, explaining your job title is actually commonplace.

But don’t let the fear of not being understood hold you back from pivoting careers.

I always encourage my clients to give a short little one liner in their CV underneath their job titles to help interviewers quickly get the gist of what they did.

For example, one of my job titles was ‘Elite Lifestyle Manager’.

I know, what even is that?

Can you picture what I do in my day-to-day?

No.

It sounds like word salad.

So if you were reading my CV you would glaze over that.

But if I included a clarifying one liner like – ‘Private PA to Ultra High Net Worth Individuals’ – you’d understand the essence of the job and at least be able to picture what I did and who I dealt with.

Now let’s play around.

I’ve asked ChatGPT to explain what an Agile Scrum Coach is.

“An Agile Scrum Coach is a teamwork trainer who helps teams complete projects efficiently by breaking tasks into smaller steps and staying organised.”

Ok, well you can condense that even more, but it’s a good starting point.

Now over to you – get AI to have a whirl at your obscure job titles (or even the whole CV! Why not?)

Multiple hats

Then there are those with slashes in their job titles:

Graphic designer/ brand strategist/ events organiser/ coach

And that’s just on LinkedIn.

The descriptor titles on Instagram are wild!

Spiritual healer/ yoga teacher/ dog mum/ coffee lover/ ADHDer/ left handed writer/ daughter/ sister/ Londoner/ Influencer

Where do we draw the line people!?

Look, I get it, we want people to know we’re multifaceted so that we don’t close ourselves off to any opportunities coming our way.

But heed this advice…

“When you try to be everything to everyone, you accomplish being nothing to anyone.”

— Bonnie Gillespie

Solution: Shortcuts

One workaround for that is to have job title shortcuts.

I’m seeing more people use the words ‘generalist’ or ‘mulitpotentialite’ when describing themselves.

It’s a short way of saying you can do many things.

I would also consider your target audience and business goals.

If you frequently work with clients who need a wide range of services, using multiple titles might be more effective.

However, if you’re looking to build a strong brand around a particular niche, a single, well-chosen title could serve you better.

You might even create a hybrid approach – use one primary title in your branding materials, but list specific skills or roles in the ‘About Me’ section of your website or in the bio of your LinkedIn profile.

People do read those bits.

This way, you can enjoy the benefits of both strategies without feeling restricted.

When your work is your identity

For those who tie their identity too closely to their job titles, the fallout from a career setback can be particularly painful.

Psychologists call this ‘enmeshment’ (see further exploration in this Harvard Business Review article)

It’s basically when you don’t have boundaries between you and work. Your identity and your sense of self-worth is wrapped up in being an “entrepreneur” or a “business owner”, so it can feel devastating if your business fails or if you need to take a part-time job to make ends meet.

But remember – a job title doesn’t define your value or your capabilities.

And your worth isn’t tied to a label, it’s reflected in your skills, experience, and the courage to keep moving forward, no matter the title you hold.

Solution: Expand your story

Instead of letting a title dictate your identity, focus on the essence of your job.

What do people value in you beyond your job?

What qualities show up in everything you do, no matter the role or title?

Curiosity, creativity, problem-solving, compassion…humour?

Add those in. But show them, don’t tell them.

Try writing a version of your identity that isn’t job-title-led.


Something like:

“I’m someone who brings order to chaos and helps people feel seen—whether I’m leading a team, freelancing, or facilitating.”

Or

“I’m the kind of person who turns vague ideas into clear plans, remembers everyone’s coffee order, and is able to keep projects (and people) moving with equal parts logic, lattes and laughter.”

The more you root your identity in your values, strengths, and lived experience, the more resilient you become.

If you want help with identifying what your Strengths and Values are, then the Career Clarity Course will help you with that….