What's Better? Function vs. Job Title On Your Resume?

Key Concepts

• External vs. Internal Titles: The distinction between the official rank held within an organization versus the functional role performed.
• Title Inflation: The phenomenon (common in sectors like banking) where titles like AVP (Assistant Vice President) or VP (Vice President) are widely distributed, potentially diluting their perceived seniority.
• Functional Representation: Prioritizing the description of job responsibilities and core competencies over formal hierarchical labels.

Strategic Advice on Resume Titling

The core issue addressed is whether a job seeker should use an "external" title (the official rank on paper) or an "internal" title (a more descriptive functional role) when the external title may be hindering recruitment prospects.

1. The Problem with Hierarchical Titles

The speaker notes that in specific industries, such as banking, titles like AVP are ubiquitous. This creates a perception problem:

• Ambiguity: Recruiters may struggle to determine if a title is "too junior" or "too senior" based solely on the label.
• Misalignment: A formal title often fails to communicate the actual scope of work, leading to potential disqualification by automated systems or recruiters who misinterpret the seniority level.

2. The "Function Over Title" Framework

The speaker argues that 99.9% of the time, candidates should prioritize functional representation over formal titles. The rationale is that hiring managers are primarily interested in the candidate's capabilities and contributions rather than their corporate rank.

Methodology for Implementation:

• Focus on Output: Instead of leading with a title, the resume should highlight the specific functions performed.
• Clarity of Role: If an internal title more accurately describes the day-to-day responsibilities, it is often more effective to use that title to ensure the recruiter understands the candidate's actual value proposition.
• The 0.1% Exception: While the speaker suggests a near-universal rule, they acknowledge a marginal possibility (the "one little tick mark") where a formal title might be necessary, likely in highly regulated industries or specific executive-level roles where rank is a prerequisite for the next position.

3. Key Perspective

The speaker emphasizes a recruiter-centric view: "I want to know what you do. I don't care what you're called." This highlights that the primary goal of a resume is to provide immediate clarity regarding the candidate's professional utility.

Synthesis and Conclusion

The main takeaway is that job seekers should not be tethered to formal, potentially misleading titles that do not accurately reflect their professional impact. By shifting the focus from "what I am called" to "what I do," candidates can better align their resumes with the expectations of hiring managers. When a formal title (like AVP) creates confusion or misrepresents seniority, replacing it with a functional title is a recommended strategy to improve recruitment outcomes.