Help with what to put as my job title on CV please

AskAsk

**woody123** said:

Thanks for the replies.  So it's Account Administrator or Accounts Manager then.  Yes, Account Manager is personally managing a customer's account, which I have done a bit of by tailoring special prices for them, but I don't want to get myself into a role that I can't do.  I'm leaning more towards Account Administrator.

I've been applying for administrator roles recently.  I suppose Accounts Assistant would imply that I have in depth knowledge of financial accounting, which I don't.

Thanks again.

as you are applying for an administrative role, it is better to have administrator in your job title as it shows that you are familiar with the day to day activities of running the company accounts.  it also doesn't give the employer too much expectation of what you can do, so they won't lump you with too much work if you do get the job 

i don't like the word assistant as it makes the role sound like a dogs body.  you assist someone else and can't do your own work 

Grumpy_chap

**woody123** said:

 I have never seen or signed a contract of employment unfortunately. 

Ok - no formal job title, so what do you sign-off as, e.g. email footer?

You should have a contract / statement of terms, but as you plan to leave and it has not been an issue, probably no point in worrying about that now.

Msjf

After such a long time with your current employer, can you agree with someone at supervisory or management level there what job title is appropriate for you to use in your CV? 

If new or potential employers request a reference (as they are likely to do), even the most basic reference would be expected to confirm your job title as well as dates of employment.  You could face difficulties if there is a disconnect between what the reference says and how you've presented yourself on your CV and/or at interview.

It wouldn't hurt to agree with your current boss (or whoever else might deal with any reference request) what title to use. Before speaking to them, think back to any time you took on significant additional responsibilities or changed your role, as you may be able to agree with your employer that you have shown "career progression" during employment with them, say, from Office Assistant to Office/Accounts Administrator. If so, agree the dates you should show on your CV for when changes/promotions occurred.

**woody123**

Thanks again for the replies.
I just sign off on emails using simply my name.

I did ask my employer what my job title would be classed as a few weeks ago, and she said it's difficult to say as well.

I think by putting Account Administrator then that should correspond with what she puts on my reference, but I will check with her soon.

When I took on new tasks, or responsibilities there was no change in my job title.  Apart from company director, and warehouse manager, I don't think anyone at the company has a specific job title as they just have specific duties and do them day to day.

Msjf

It's not surprising that you've had no formal promotion or change in job title when you've taken on on new tasks and responsibilities, given that you had no contract or official job title to start with!

As your employer is similarly unsure as you about how to describe your role, just make sure she will back you up if you say in your CV and at interviews that you have gradually taken on a more senior role, or that you started in a junior administrative support role and progressed to Account Administrator.

After so many years at the one firm, it really would help your job applications if you can demonstrate you had the aptitude and motivation to progress or broaden your role - as it sounds like you did do, just without any formal process recognising progression/changes.

It's important not to sound vague at interview about what your role is or has been, and it's better to tailor your CV to different job advertisements or different types of roles that you go for, highlighting or describing those aspects of your job over the years that best match what a particular employer or recruiter is looking for.  Saying that you enjoy the variety of your job and like to offer your employer as much flexibility as you can won't hurt your chances if you are applying for a general support role; but if it's a narrower, clearly-defined role in a more structured workplace that you are going for, try to emphasise how much you enjoy particular tasks and responsibilities that are included in the advertised post.

Potential employers will appreciate that you must be a valuable and loyal team-player to have worked at the one firm for years and years - and congratulations on that achievement  - but they may need convincing that you will be able to settle in easily somewhere new and adapt to new working methods or a different work culture, so try to think of how you can show that you have had experience of adapting to change within your current firm and put a positive spin on it. Good luck!

**woody123**

Msjf said:

It's not surprising that you've had no formal promotion or change in job title when you've taken on on new tasks and responsibilities, given that you had no contract or official job title to start with!

As your employer is similarly unsure as you about how to describe your role, just make sure she will back you up if you say in your CV and at interviews that you have gradually taken on a more senior role, or that you started in a junior administrative support role and progressed to Account Administrator.

After so many years at the one firm, it really would help your job applications if you can demonstrate you had the aptitude and motivation to progress or broaden your role - as it sounds like you did do, just without any formal process recognising progression/changes.

It's important not to sound vague at interview about what your role is or has been, and it's better to tailor your CV to different job advertisements or different types of roles that you go for, highlighting or describing those aspects of your job over the years that best match what a particular employer or recruiter is looking for.  Saying that you enjoy the variety of your job and like to offer your employer as much flexibility as you can won't hurt your chances if you are applying for a general support role; but if it's a narrower, clearly-defined role in a more structured workplace that you are going for, try to emphasise how much you enjoy particular tasks and responsibilities that are included in the advertised post.

Potential employers will appreciate that you must be a valuable and loyal team-player to have worked at the one firm for years and years - and congratulations on that achievement  - but they may need convincing that you will be able to settle in easily somewhere new and adapt to new working methods or a different work culture, so try to think of how you can show that you have had experience of adapting to change within your current firm and put a positive spin on it. Good luck!

Thank you for that advice.  I've only just logged on and read it.  I'll certainly take your advice on board.

Thanks again.
Mark