How to Answer Job Title Questions

If you’re coming out of a supermajor like Exxon, Shell, or Chevron, chances are your job title doesn’t reflect the weight of what you actually did. I’ve worked with folks who were basically running million-dollar projects, overseeing contractors, managing teams, and owning timelines — but their title was something like Operations Advisor 3 or Technical Professional. When it comes time to switch companies (especially outside of oil & gas), this can trip you up. Here’s how to level the playing field: 1) Break your role down into what you ran, not what you were called. A client came to me with the title “Subsurface Engineer II.” But he’d led asset development planning across multiple basins, coordinated with drilling and completions, and presented at exec reviews. On paper, that’s a Development Manager or Senior Reservoir Engineer anywhere else. 2) Study how titles map across industries. Different companies name things differently. What Shell calls a Wells Engineer, other firms call a Drilling Engineer or Project Engineer. If you’re applying to mid-sized operators, contractors, or new energy companies, use job postings to figure out which titles line up with what you’ve actually done — not what your old badge said. 3) Be upfront in interviews — and use data to back up your expected salary and/or title. Say it like it is: “At Exxon I was a Facilities Engineer, but I managed $90MM in brownfield upgrades and led a 7-person project team. From what I’ve seen, that aligns with a Senior Project Manager or Capital Projects Lead here.” That helps them calibrate your role, and your compensation. Your title might have been vague, but the work wasn’t. Don’t let a strange job title keep you from the job — and pay — you’ve already earned! #oilgas #oilandgas #oilandgasindustry #engineering #petroleum #energystrong

Q: My official title was Senior Product Manager but I was functioning as a Group Product Manager (3 direct PM reports). My former company just didn't have any level between Senior and Director. How do I express my actual job function while being truthful about my title on paper? A: Think of it from the hiring manager/recruiter perspective. They are looking for someone with your experience, managing PMs. Your official title happens to make it sound like you weren't managing anyone. So you should use your 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘦 as your title (i.e., Group Product Manager), because that's what will help them find you, their perfect candidate! On your resume you can say "Group Product Manager," and in your context setting paragraph, under the role, include that you directly managed 3 PMs. On your LinkedIn you can also say Group Product Manager as your title, and then in the description include something like "(Role was Group Product Manager and I was directly managing three PMs; title was Senior Product Manager.)"

When I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Psychology, I found myself entering a job market in recession. Opportunities were scarce, and despite my degree, I struggled to land a role. Eventually, I secured a position at Coca-Cola’s call centre, managing a 1-800 number across Australia and New Zealand. Our small team worked shifts handling consumer complaints, and if there’s one thing I learned quickly - it’s that people are incredibly passionate about their Coke. 💬 “I just bought a can of Coke from my local dairy, and it’s flat! I need to speak to your manager!” To manage these conversations, we were given the title Consumer Affairs Executive. It sounded impressive, and it certainly helped diffuse complaints when I could say, “You're speaking to the Consumer Affairs Executive.” But here’s the issue… If I had used that title on my resume or LinkedIn, it wouldn’t have meant much to hiring managers. In reality, my role was a Customer Service Representative, and that’s the title that would have been understood in the job market. Many organisations use internal titles that don’t reflect industry norms. While they may serve an internal purpose, they can become a barrier when moving roles. If you’re in this situation, consider: ✔ Using a market-relevant title on your LinkedIn and resume while acknowledging the internal title in your description. ✔ Clarifying your actual responsibilities to ensure recruiters and hiring managers understand your role. ✔ Avoiding titles that sound impressive but lack meaning externally because they may be doing more harm than good. If you’re concerned about adjusting your title, a simple way to address it is: 📌 [Market-aligned job title] "Internally known as [Company-specific title], accountable for [Key responsibilities]." This approach ensures transparency while positioning you effectively for future opportunities. 💡 Have you ever had a job title that didn’t align with industry standards? How did you handle it?👇 #CareerAdvice #JobSearchTips #PersonalBranding