What is up with job titles?

I was recently asked at Toastmasters to ask if it is worthwhile having an important job title. I had to think about this for a minute. Jobs like President, Prime Minister and Cabinet Minister sound impressive, but you would make less money than a comparable job in the private sector. On the other hand, the prestige of some job titles can not be denied.

My brother was telling me about his new job offer, about the responsibilities, compensation, and opportunity for growth. It sounded like an excellent opportunity. Then I asked, what was the title? “President”. It was for a new subsidiary of an existing company. I was immediately excited for him, but why? A big title likely comes with lots of responsibility and stress.

There is the prestige or wow factor of a big title but the real benefit or ROI is felt over a period of years or decades. A person who becomes a supervisor or foreman in their early twenties can become a manager in their thirties and by their forties be looking at a Vice President, Director or even President roles like my brother at the age of 43. 

Once a person who has achieved all those titles moves into their fifties they may be ready for a board of director role. Speaking of which, how can you get on the pathway to titles but also the rewards that should come with them? Ask how you can get more responsibility or take on more important work, find out ways to streamline your current work to do more valuable work and then ask for a title that reflects this and a bump in salary as well.

Feel stuck or cornered at your current workplace? Volunteer, there are millions of nonprofits, charities, and organizations looking for people to not only take on titles but fill volunteer roles that make a difference in your community and in people’s lives.

What do you think, if I offered you a new title? Would you tell me to go…..

Kael Campbell is President and Lead Recruiter of Red Seal Recruiting Solutions, a company providing recruitment services in mining, equipment and plant maintenance, utilities, manufacturing, construction, and transportation. When he is not recruiting, Kael spends as much time as possible with family in the great outdoors and on the water. He volunteers his time as a Board Member of the Entrepreneurs Organization of Vancouver Island. You are invited to subscribe to our Job Seeker newsletter or submit your resume.