Balancing Scales of Titles and Roles
What would you rather choose? Your dream job without the desired job title or would you even ask for a title change if you are offered a raise? Please take a moment to respond as it may appear, the subject of “What’s more important, the title or the role?” is influenced by a number of factors. The post-pandemic era has revolutionised many organisational practices, and it is possible that it might have an impact on these topics as well.
This fascination with titles has long been reinforced in our culture. The higher a person rises in an organisation, the more important he or she becomes. Because everyone wants to be someone, this attraction with titles is only natural, as they serve as a gauge of a person’s worth and their general worth in society. On the other hand, these titles are acquired by being competent in the responsibilities that are drafted for the job role. These descriptions help the organisation to find the right person for the right job, which is one of the most essential elements that contribute to the growth of the employee as well as the organisation.
The preceding points clearly emphasise the significance of both titles and roles.
1. To Cater to Personal Agenda
Sometimes, the desire for titles and advancement can outweigh the desire for money, especially in the post-pandemic era where monetary needs are not the only priority and employees have realised the need for personal accomplishment. Impressive job titles can also help you stand out when applying for a new position at a new company.
Job roles help employees to clearly define their day-to-day tasks, gain insights into various domains, widen their spectrum of knowledge, gain expertise and develop new skills. The satisfaction of overcoming these challenges on a daily basis strives them to grow every day!
2. Impression on Hiring Managers
The job title gives the hiring managers a sense of who you are as an employee as well as the level of career advancement and progression you have experienced throughout your professional career. It is possible that your job title will have a significant impact on them if it remains the same or stoops down. For example, if an employee decides to switch his field because of a lack of interest or to explore new domains then it is possible that he might have to start from scratch. Irrespective of the reason, the sudden drop in his title may portray him as an inefficient candidate.
While the job role clearly reflects your competencies and the types of activities you performed in your previous job, it also assists hiring managers in understanding your potential and areas of expertise. This is where the significance of your job role comes into play which helps in creating a good impression in eyes of the managers.
3. Relations with Potential Customers
High title holders hold more credibility and have a higher success rate in approaching and tapping potential clients. For example, the chances of getting a revert back from a CEO of a prospective client is higher when a Vice President shares an email rather than a Junior Manager or Associate doing the same.
On the other hand, a job done right matters in terms of roles and responsibilities as they create an impression on your potential customers. For example, even if an associate reaches out to a client regarding a testimonial, the chances of him getting a strong and positive testimonial are higher if the delivery of duties is performed up to the mark.
4. In terms of Salary and Compensation
The levels on which one is operating may determine his/her salary but having a fancy title that doesn’t garner a better salary is of no use. Anyone with a “senior” attached to their title would have a higher salary package than an associate along with greater benefits. For example, financial benefits such as automobile loans, telephone allowances, and business travel are granted to employees based on their designation.
As the industry progresses in the post-COVID era and the competition for resources becomes fiercer, the link between compensation and job roles is cut short. There is a demand for highly skilled talents and organisations are willing to pay more regardless of their experience or title! The compensation outweighs the title in this case.
5. In Accordance with Society and Collaboration
The truth is that people put a lot of emphasis on titles, which stems from human nature. The job title that you represent reflects the level of success that you have achieved in that organisation! The right job title can really help you collaborate more efficiently with top companies and also build trust and credibility in society.
However, if one fails to meet the needs of the clients by not carrying out their duties as per their expectations, one might lose both, their respect and credibility in society as well as the opportunity to collaborate with that client in the future altogether. It reflects poorly on you, your company you failed to manage the mishap.
In the post-pandemic landscape, responsibilities for a given role change so quickly that job titles can’t keep up. As a result, employees are unable to clearly define their responsibilities, which impedes goal setting and their contribution to organisational growth. Clearly defining roles and responsibilities aids in understanding the areas of focus to contribute to the organisation’s mission and vision. Also, titles must be supported by the skills and abilities that an individual brings to the table. Employees and organisations can then decide upon an appropriate job title as they matter in a lot of ways, as mentioned in the article.
Your job title isn’t everything, but it does matter, along with the job duties and roles.
