Writing Your Résumé When Your Job Title Doesn’t Reflect Your Responsibilities

If you’re ready to make a career move — up to a higher level or into a different industry — but your current title doesn’t match the titles on the jobs you want, don’t fret. It’s possible to tweak your resume to better explain why you’re suited for the positions you’re applying for. Start by carefully reviewing the job posting and making a list of its five or six most important responsibilities. Then, make notes about past accomplishments that clearly demonstrate your successes in those areas. Note the problem you solved, how, and improvements that resulted. Then rewrite your résumé headline and summary to match those requirements. Also, tell brief stories about accomplishments to demonstrate how well you can meet hiring managers’ needs. And don’t hesitate to directly address discrepancies between your current title and the title of the job you’re applying for. If you don’t want your resume to be tossed by HR or weeded out by automated filters, it’s well worth your time to tailor your résumé to each job posting.