Job titles encapsulate a professional’s level of skill and experience, as well as their qualifications and the responsibilities they can take on within an organization. They are one of the first things recruiters look for in resumes, which makes them invaluable in leaving a good first impression.
This article examines the significance of job titles on resumes. We’ll give you a comprehensive list of senior and entry-level job titles across numerous industries and show you how to choose the best one for your resume. Lastly, we’ll provide you with a couple of formatting tips to help elevate your resume.
Key Takeaways
A job title is a form of professional classification that describes your expertise, skills, and level of experience.
The best job titles are precise, professional, emphasize your seniority, and align with the job description's requirements.
To properly format your job title, use consistent capitalization and ATS-friendly wording, incorporating relevant keywords and industry-standard language.
Resume.co’s software generator features professional resume examples and leverages AI to enhance your document, improve its writing, and ensure you’ve included optimal job titles.
What Is a Job Title on a Resume and Why Is It Important?
A job title on a resume represents your professional classification, describing your specialization and the roles you held in previous jobs. It’s an essential piece of information primarily used in the contact information and work experience sections.
In the contact information section, your job title should specify your current type and level of expertise. This should align with the job ad's requirements to demonstrate to recruiters that you’re the ideal candidate for the role.
When adding job titles to your work experience section, you show which positions you held. This helps recruiters quickly assess your qualifications and work history, even if only skimming your resume for a few seconds.
Professional and accurate resume job titles are also important due to the use of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). As many as 75% of recruiters use ATS or similar solutions to manage large volumes of applications; ATS scans job titles and looks for those that match the company’s requirements, often discarding the rest.
350+ Job Titles by Category: Comprehensive List for Every Industry
Here is a comprehensive list of job and career titles by industry. Using a standard title from this list for your resume will help you grab the recruiter’s attention and pass the ATS scan.
#1. Business Job Titles
The most common job titles for business resumes and roles include:
Business Analyst
Operations Analyst
Operations Manager
Project Manager
Business Development Manager
Strategy Manager
General Manager
Process Improvement Manager
Supply Chain Manager
Procurement Manager
Office Manager
Program Manager
Management Consultant
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Logistics Coordinator
Executive Director
Vice President of Operations
Compliance Officer
#2. Healthcare Job Titles
Notable job titles in the healthcare industry include:
Registered Nurse (RN)
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Medical Assistant
Physical Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Respiratory Therapist
Healthcare Administrator
Hospital Administrator
Physician
Pharmacist
Medical Technologist
Clinical Manager
Health Information Manager
Medical Director
Medical Coder
Patient Care Technician
Home Health Aide
#3. IT Job Titles
Here are common job titles in the field of information technology and IT resumes:
Software Developer
Web Developer
Web Designer
UI/UX Designer
Systems Analyst
Cybersecurity Analyst
Cloud Engineer
DevOps Engineer
Data Scientist
Database Administrator
Network Administrator
IT Manager
IT Project Manager
Information Security Manager
IT Support Specialist
Help Desk Technician
Solutions Architect
IT Director
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
#4. Marketing Job Titles
Prevailing job titles in the field of marketing include:
Marketing Manager
Product Marketing Manager
Email Marketing Manager
Public Relations Manager
Social Media Manager
Brand Manager
Events Manager
Affiliate Marketing Manager
Digital Marketing Specialist
SEO Specialist
PPC Specialist
Content Strategist
Marketing Analyst
Marketing Coordinator
Vice President of Marketing
Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)
Marketing Director
Copywriter
#5. Finance Job Titles
These belong to standard job titles in the finance sphere:
Financial Analyst
Compliance Analyst
Quantitative Analyst
Credit Analyst
Accountant
Auditor
Controller
Treasurer
Tax Manager
Portfolio Manager
Payroll Manager
Finance Manager
Risk Manager
Financial Advisor
Investment Banker
Billing Specialist
Bookkeeper
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
#6. Administrative Job Titles
Some of the most common job titles for administrative positions include:
Administrative Manager
Office Manager
Facilities Manager
Records Manager
Administrative Specialist
Project Administrator
Administrative Assistant
Executive Assistant
Personal Assistant
Team Assistant
Clerical Assistant
Administrative Coordinator
Office Administrator
Office Clerk
Data Entry Clerk
Receptionist
Secretary
#7. Sales Job Titles
Here’s a list of professional titles for sales resumes and positions:
Sales Associate
Sales Consultant
Sales Director
Sales Representative
Inside Sales Representative
Outside Sales Representative
Technical Sales Representative
Business Development Representative
Sales Manager
Sales Operations Manager
Regional Sales Manager
National Sales Manager
Channel Sales Manager
Key Account Manager
Account Executive
Vice President of Sales
Chief Sales Officer (CSO)
#8. Engineering Job Titles
Prominent job titles for engineering roles include:
Mechanical Engineer
Structural Engineer
Civil Engineer
Software Engineer
Chemical Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Aerospace Engineer
Manufacturing Engineer
Project Engineer
Quality Engineer
Systems Engineer
Biomedical Engineer
Environmental Engineer
Field Engineer
Principal Engineer
Director of Engineering
Engineering Manager
#9. Construction Job Titles
Professionals in the construction industry can consider some of the following job titles:
Construction Manager
Project Manager
Safety Manager
Contracts Manager
Project Engineer
Field Engineer
Site Superintendent
Equipment Operator
General Contractor
Construction Worker
Foreman
Carpenter
Electrician
Plumber
Estimator
Scheduler
Surveyor
#10. Customer Service Job Titles
Customer service job titles for a resume include:
Customer Service Representative
Customer Support Specialist
Technical Support Specialist
Help Desk Analyst
Service Desk Analyst
Customer Service Manager
Customer Success Manager
Customer Experience Manager
Client Relationship Manager
Account Manager
Call Center Agent
Customer Care Associate
Client Services Coordinator
Support Engineer
Head of Customer Success
#11. Education Job Titles
Professionals in the education sector often use one of the following job titles:
Teacher (Elementary/Middle/High School)
Special Education Teacher
Professor
School Principal
Teacher’s Assistant
Curriculum Developer
Education Administrator
Superintendent
Dean
Admissions Counselor
School Counselor
Corporate Trainer
Academic Advisor
Librarian
Registrar
#12. Art & Design Job Titles
Here are some examples of job titles for artists:
Graphic Designer
UI/UX Designer
Interior Designer
Fashion Designer
Web Designer
Visual Designer
Motion Graphics Designer
Production Artist
Art Director
Creative Director
Illustrator
Photographer
Videographer
Animator
Creative Strategist
User Experience Researcher
#13. Hospitality Job Titles
The official job titles in the hospitality industry are as follows:
Hotel Manager
Restaurant Manager
Housekeeping Manager
Front Desk Manager
Catering Manager
Guest Relations Manager
Event Planner
Food and Beverage Director
Executive Chef
Travel Agent
Concierge
Bartender
Server
Sommelier
Director of Operations
#14. Writing Job Titles
Here are some job titles to consider if you’re in the business of professional writing:
Content Writer
Technical Writer
Medical Writer
Grant Writer
Proposal Writer
Social Media Writer
Copywriter
Editor
Managing Editor
Proofreader
Journalist
Content Strategist
Digital Content Producer
Communications Manager
Content Marketing Manager
#15. Law and Government Job Titles
Prevailing job titles in the law and government sectors include:
Lawyer
Attorney
Paralegal
Judge
Legal Secretary
Legal Assistant
Legislative Assistant
Court Clerk
Policy Analyst
Intelligence Analyst
Lobbyist
City Manager
Compliance Manager
Public Affairs Specialist
Urban Planner
Contracts Administrator
#16. Human Resources Job Titles
The job titles often used in HR resumes:
Recruiter
Human Resources (HR) Manager
Compensation and Benefits Manager
Learning and Development Manager
Talent Manager
Talent Acquisition Specialist
Employee Relations Specialist
Payroll Specialist
Onboarding Specialist
HR Generalist
HR Business Partner
HR Coordinator
HR Analyst
HR Assistant
Director of HR
Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)
Corporate Trainer
#17. Retail Job Titles
Employees in retail often have one of the following job titles:
Retail Store Manager
Retail Operations Manager
Inventory Control Manager
E-commerce Manager
Category Manager
Assistant Store Manager
Department Manager
District Manager
Sales Associate
Stock Associate
Visual Merchandiser
Merchandise Planner
Loss Prevention Specialist
Key Holder
Cashier
Personal Shopper
#18. Science and Research Job Titles
Professionals in the field of science and research can consider the following job titles for their resumes:
Research Scientist
Data Scientist
Environmental Scientist
Geoscientist
Quality Assurance Scientist
Scientific Writer
Laboratory Technician
Clinical Research Associate
Research Assistant
Lab Manager
Research and Development (R&D) Manager
Physicist
Biologist
Microbiologist
Chemist
Postdoctoral Fellow
Principal Investigator
#19. Production and Manufacturing Job Titles
Now, here are some common job titles in the field of production and manufacturing:
Production Worker
Plant Manager
Health and Safety Manager
Operations Manager
Logistics Manager
Supply Chain Manager
Production Supervisor
Warehouse Supervisor
Manufacturing Engineer
Industrial Engineer
Machine Operator
Quality Control Inspector
Maintenance Technician
Production Planner
Assembler
Welder
Machinist
#20. Real Estate Job Titles
Here are industry-specific job roles for professionals in the real estate business:
Realtor
Real Estate Agent
Real Estate Broker
Commercial Real Estate Broker
Real Estate Appraiser
Real Estate Analyst
Real Estate Investor
Real Estate Developer
Real Estate Paralegal
Asset Manager (Real Estate)
Property Manager
Acquisitions Manager
Construction Manager
Leasing Manager
Leasing Consultant
Closing Coordinator
Transaction Coordinator
Mortgage Loan Officer
#21. Non-Profit and Social Services Job Titles
Finally, here are common job positions in the non-profit and social service spheres:
Social Worker
Fundraising Manager
Case Manager
Advocacy Manager
Program Director
Executive Director
Development Director
Operations Director
Director of Philanthropy
Volunteer Coordinator
Community Outreach Coordinator
Program Coordinator
Membership Coordinator
Policy Analyst
Non-Profit Accountant
Grant Writer
Mental Health Counselor
How do You Choose the Best Title for Your Resume?
To choose the best title for your resume, you should consider several key factors, as your title should accurately represent your role and seniority in an industry-recognized manner.
#1. Match the Job Advertisement
Your job title should match the requirements outlined in the job advertisement to demonstrate that you’re the right person for the role. This is a critical step for passing through the Applicant Tracking System, which is often set up to look for exact or close matches in resume keywords, such as the job title.
While you should never mislead and be dishonest with your job title, you can always adjust the role that you held at a previous company to be more standardized.
If you’re applying for the role of a marketing manager, and the responsibilities match your skill set and past experiences, you can include “Marketing Manager” in your contact information section, even if the roles you held were called differently.
#2. Avoid Internal or Vague Titles
You should avoid using unique and creative job titles that some companies use internally, as they may be perceived as informal and unprofessional. Titles like “Brand Ninja” or “Marketing Guru” can be used within an organization that established them, but they may be confusing to outside recruiters and likely go unnoticed by the ATS.
Moreover, generic titles like “Professional” or “Associate” are vague and don’t precisely describe your qualifications and experience. You should always use brief yet descriptive and widely recognized titles, such as “Sales Associate” or “Marketing Professional.”
#3. Emphasize Your Seniority
Your job title should emphasize your seniority and experience level, in addition to your specialization and skill set. It’s essential to distinguish between senior and junior job titles, as there are significant differences in the level of knowledge these professionals possess and the responsibilities they can assume, even within the same role.
“Junior” and “Senior” are the most common designations that describe the job titles hierarchy. Apart from that, you can also add “Lead,” as well as “Manager” and “Director” for some roles. A job title for students can be “Junior Web Developer,” while experienced professionals can use “Lead Web Developer” for the same position.
You can use Resume.co's AI-powered software to get title suggestions. It will help you include a title that aligns with your skills and qualifications while matching the job advertisement.
How to Format Your Job Title: 3 Effective Tips
Properly formatting your job title is essential in making your resume look clean, professional, and legible. It will convey information more effectively to the reader and help you pass the ATS scan.
Here are three practical tips to help you adhere to standards with your job titles:
1. Proper capitalization and consistency. When adding job titles to your contact information and work experience sections, the standard practice is to use title case capitalization. Capitalization should be the same throughout the resume to ensure consistency, helping you achieve a polished and professional appearance.
Good Example
Commercial Real Estate Broker
Bad Example
Commercial real estate broker
2. Use ATS-friendly wording. Applicant Tracking Systems favor simplicity and accuracy. You should avoid complex layouts and intricate graphics in your resume, especially in parts with your job title, skills, and accomplishments. Use industry-standard language and adhere to the job advertisement for relevant resume keywords.
Correct Example
Content Whizz
Incorrect Example
Content Marketing Manager
3. Follow the rules for both current and previous jobs. Be professional and detailed when adding previous job titles in the same way you are when adding your current one. Your work experience section will likely be in the reverse chronological order, so you should list all of your past titles using standardized language and capitalization.
Our resume builder utilizes pre-made resume templates and leverages AI to enhance your document, providing a professional format and layout, optimal keywords, and an industry-standard job title.
Closing Thoughts
Job titles provide critical information to recruiters and ATS, helping them quickly determine whether you’re the right person for the job. A well-written and professionally formatted job title conveys your level of skill and experience and emphasizes how much responsibility you’re able to take in an organization.
Taking the time to optimize this seemingly minute detail can significantly improve your chances of passing software screening and receiving an interview callback. Make sure to use industry-standard language and maintain consistency throughout your resume and cover letter for optimal impact.
Job Titles FAQ
#1. Can job titles vary by country?
Yes, job titles can vary by country. Furthermore, they can vary between companies within the same industry, but with different cultures; the role of a manager can come with vastly different responsibilities across countries and companies.
#2. What is your job title if you're self-employed?
If you’re self-employed, your job title should reflect the work that you do. Instead of using only “Self-Employed,” consider titles like “Freelance Graphic Designer,” “Independent Consultant,” or “E-commerce Business Owner.”
#3. What if I had multiple job titles at one company?
If you had multiple job titles at one company, you should list them all in reverse chronological order. Include the name of the company once, and then specify the dates during which you held each role and list associated accomplishments.
