Connect the Dots Between the Job Title You Have and the Job You Want

October 27, 2017

Connect the Dots Between the Job Title You Have and the Job You Want

Our job titles don’t always reflect what we really do. So how do you make a career move — either to a new job or maybe to an entirely new field — if you’re worried that your current title might give a hiring manager the wrong idea? The key is to showcase how your skills and experience are relevant to the new job. Start by making a list of the five or six most important responsibilities in the job posting, and jot down your accomplishments in those areas. Based on these notes, write a brief description of yourself that shows you have the experience the new job requires. Add this summary to the top of your résumé — but don’t simply call the section “Summary.” That overused term won’t grab anyone’s attention or distinguish you from other candidates. Instead, give the section a headline that really captures the breadth of your experience.

Adapted from “Writing Your Résumé When Your Job Title Doesn’t Reflect Your Responsibilities,” by Jane Heifetz