You Are More Than Just a Job Title

Last updated on: May 24, 2011 at 8:05 am by JBW

You Are More Than Just a Job Title 2011-05-24T08:05:48-05:00 JBW

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

When I was 29 years old I interviewed for a business development position as a step up from my current job. Although it offered more career opportunities, the title wasn’t any different: “Account Manager.”

Before accepting the position, I decided to approach my new boss – a tidy and efficient woman with a cropped head of hair resembling burnt straw – with a bold question. Would she mind if I changed the job title to include the word, “Director?” That sounded so much more sweeping and official, as if a

sea of resources were at my disposal. Even though I was really only going to be a one-man show.

Plus, I wasn’t about to accept the fate of being an Account Manager the rest of my life.

“Sure,” she said, shuffling a pile of papers on her desk. “I don’t care what your title is, as long as you get your job done.”

At the time, all I was thinking about was my resume. Building it up. Making it sing. That swanky Director title would forever mark my position as, well, I don’t know – what exactly does a Director do? Whatever. Perception is everything, and leveraging that title would certainly ensure that my next potential employer viewed me at a higher pay grade than that lousy Account Manager role.

To find out what happens next, click here to finish reading this post over at The High Calling.

Image by Kelly Sauer. Used with her permish.

Career

Authentic Leadership

Job titles

Previous Post

May 20, 2011

Watch Out For Your Burnout Strengths

Next Post

May 27, 2011 Where You Go to Church Tells How Much Money You Make

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Ambition Blogging Career Culture Executive Career Development Failure Faith in the Workplace Family Feeling Stupid Leadership Managing People Purpose Reviews Spirituality Uncategorized Work-Life Balance

Select a Month November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who wrote many letters (epistles) in the New Testament?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Paul Peter Jude John