Getting job description changed

becky_rtw

Okay this may seem a weird one...

I have been working in my role for a year and a half and in that time it has expanded beyond the original job specifcation.

I had a good pay rise at my yearly review and I really enjoy the job, so I'm not looking for extra money or thinking of leaving anytime soon.

However, I would like to get my job description amended to a) reflect the fact that I am doing a lot more work in a different direction than I was employed for and b) so that if and when I decide to look for another job (which is likely to be in this new area) my job spec shows my experience to potential employers...

So what I'm asking is - has anyone ever successfully campaigned for a job description/title change and how did you go about it??

I have evidence of the work I am doing, and of other roles that ask for this experience to show my boss in my monthly 1-2-1 later in the month but getting the agreement may be hard work so I need to be very convincing :cool:

Willsnarf1983

how about you just ask your boss, explain that you arn't currently looking at new jobs but you feel your old job description does not fit and if the circumstances change in the future you would like to be able to put an accurate description on your cv

Will

BexInLondon

I got a title change to reflect additional responsibilities by pointing out to my CEO that when I was dealing with external organisations a more appropriate title would have better clout.

As for changing your job description - I've never produced a current JD in a job interview. What goes on my CV, and what I talk about in an interview are the actual responsibilities of my role and of course my current title, so I'd worry less about that.

becky_rtw

Thanks both:

I was hoping to get my job description changed first and then my title later on (I am in a team of 2 me and my boss so I cant get it changed to manager or hers will have to change too if that makes sense...)

Obviously wont show any prospective employers my JD but its a very small field and everyone knows everyone so I'd have to be very careful writing something in an application that wasnt there in case person reading said application knew someone within my organisation...hence why I want to get it formally recognised

Glad to hear others have been able to get changes though

terra_ferma

becky_rtw wrote: »

Thanks both:

I was hoping to get my job description changed first and then my title later on (I am in a team of 2 me and my boss so I cant get it changed to manager or hers will have to change too if that makes sense...)

Obviously wont show any prospective employers my JD but its a very small field and everyone knows everyone so I'd have to be very careful writing something in an application that wasnt there in case person reading said application knew someone within my organisation...hence why I want to get it formally recognised

Glad to hear others have been able to get changes though

In terms of your job titles there could be ways round the clash with your line manager's. I don't know your situation so it's difficult to be specific, but if you line manage people you could go for team leader, supervisor, co-ordinator (this one is also good if you have additional responsibilities but don't manage people).

In terms of changing it, asking you boss is the best course of action, making it VERY clear that you are not after money, or leaving the company.
Being recognise externally, as suggested, is a good reason to give, if it applies.

SueC_2

I think it's completely normal for people to end up working way beyond the specific contents of their job description. In fact most job descriptions have that lovely catch-all "Any other duties as reasonably required" to cover precisely that eventuality, so I really wouldn't worry too much about anything you write on your CV not directly matching with your job description, so long as you are actually doing them and can substantiate that!

However, if you really want to update your job description, why not try drafting a new one and putting it forward to your manager as a proposal for 'neatness and consistency'? It's an old, but true, adage that if you present your boss with a solution rather than a problem, they will be much more inclined to welcome it!