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Asking For a Title Change

Anyone have any experience with asking your boss for a title change? Does title really matter all that much if it doesn't mean a change in job responsibilities? (Or pay.) Why are we always trying to label and re-label ourselves? *shakes head*

I've been an associate editor for almost four years now and I'm worried that I'm going to be stuck with this title for too long. It's not a bad title or anything...I'm just thinking about the future. If I apply for a senior editor position somewhere else in a few years and I'm still an associate editor, will they take me seriously?
Published Thursday, June 26, 2008 1:53 PM by AieshaLittle

Comments

# re: Asking For a Title Change

Thursday, June 26, 2008 10:41 PM by headlineclub
My first couple of jobs paid with titles as much as money. In my current job I'm operating at a much higher level than when I started, but with the same title.

At least once a year I ask my supervisor what it would take to get me to the next level. Sometimes this leads to more interesting assignments. Sometimes it leads me to check CareerBuilder.

My advice is to make sure your resume describes what you do -- maybe in the same language used in the senior-editor postings. Prospective employers will pick up on why you're looking.

# re: Asking For a Title Change

Friday, June 27, 2008 12:58 PM by aaronaup
In my view, titles are fine as long as they are accurate. In small newsroom, where everyone does a bit of everything, it would be nearly impossible to have an accurate title.

Mine would be, city editor/staff writer/blogger/photographer/photo editor/videographer/video editor/page designer/copy editor/web editor/etc.

Which wouldn't fit on a business card and would make me seem like an ego freak!

I hope employers do not put too much weight on titles as they can be easily inflated. In college, I worked as a recycling and environmental specialist. In reality, I drove a golf cart around campus picking up recyclables. An awesome job, but hardly deserving of a specialist designation.

Titles should reflect the work we do. If they don't, then we should talk to the higher ups about changing them. If we just want a title change because it makes us look better on paper, then I doubt the higher ups are really going to listen.

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