What’s in a Name?
(Spoiler: This isn’t about Shakespeare)
Recently, while job hunting, I stumbled upon something interesting — and slightly confusing.
We all like a good title. “Director”, “Lead”, “Senior Strategist” — they sound impressive. But I realized very quickly: a title doesn’t always tell the full story.
Soul Searching > Title Chasing
When you’re evaluating roles, ask yourself: Do I want a fancy title, or do I want to make a real-world impact?
Here’s what I observed:
1. Flashy Titles, Shallow Responsibilities
Some roles came with bold titles — but when I read the job descriptions, the actual responsibilities didn’t reflect the seniority. Sometimes, they weren’t even worth the compensation offered.
2. Meaningful Work Behind the Title
On the flip side, there were roles where the scope was huge. True ownership. Full initiative responsibility. In those cases, the title was earned — and worth it.
3. Same Role, Different Name
I noticed tons of variations on the Product Manager role:
- Product Analyst
- Systems Analyst
- Business Analyst
- Project Manager
While the core responsibilities — strategy, roadmapping, MVP building — remained similar, the titles were all over the place.
4. Every Company Is Different
Organizations evolve differently. One might need a hybrid between a Product Manager and a Project Manager, so they invent a new title. Another might call the same work something entirely different based on team structure or internal naming conventions.
Final Thoughts: Read Beyond the Title
If you’re on the hunt (or even passively looking), don’t get distracted by the label at the top of the JD. Focus on what the role actually entails:
- What will you be responsible for?
- What kind of impact can you make?
- Does it align with where you want to grow?
Here’s a silver lining: With AI-driven resume screening becoming more common, there’s a good chance your actual experience will speak louder than just your title.