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I'm seriously thinking about looking for another job, but my current job title is making it annoyingly difficult to explain that yes, I am actually a programmer / developer and yes I've been doing it for the last 8 years. So I asked my current boss (tactfully) if I could change my job title to something that actually reflects what I do. She told me that I can't change my current title (it's part of the corporate job "ladder"), but I can hyphenate is and add whatever I want afterwards. For example:
Title that doesn't suggest anything programming related - senior developer.
So my question is, what would be a good title to stick on the end that might actually help communicate that I am actually a developer? As it is now, I'm largely a solo developer (hence the lack of suitable job titles) so I do everything and I feel my title should communicate so degree of seniority (hence not just "programmer" or "developer" or "code monkey").
Any suggestions (serious or otherwise)?
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I once had:
"Section leader who couldn't be bothered to think of a pretentious name for his section but who wanted a long job title to annoy the personnel department when the time came to have the business cards printed"
If you get an email telling you that you can catch Swine Flu from tinned pork then just delete it. It's Spam.
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I've always tended to go the other way -- for a few years, I told people my job title was either "Chief Technowhiz" or "Staff Non-Technophobe"
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Wjousts wrote: senior developer
and then add the name of the system which you are mostly programming for - the product name, if it is a well-known product or a general name like "Database system", "for .Net Framework Applications", "Linux Systems", "MySQL and PHP", "Microsoft Environment" and so on.
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Remember you haven't told your current designation , then how shall we suggest you with ?
Some companies stick with Program Analyst I, II, II etc may be you can give a try.
Else request for Senior Developer , Technical Lead/Team Lead etc
Thanks,
Ranjan.D
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I was a "Research Scientist II", which became a "Research Scientist" the last time they changed the job ladder (which annoyed me no end, because it looks like a demotion), then I got promoted (hooray) to "Senior Research Scientist", then they messed with the ladder again and my title got changed to the utterly stupid "Research Investigator". I told my boss that I hated that title (especially since I lost both "senior" and "scientist") unless it came with a badge and a gun. On the bright side, it gives me some cover to complain about my title without tipping them off that I'm thinking about leaving.
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Oh Gosh ! how can some one be designated as Investigator , Heads up for bringing in and sure you deserve a change. I'm sure if you put down the papers they will designate you want ever you wish for, You know crazy managers , management do this very often. Until you raise your voice or heads up these things won't change.
Good Luck to you, The best thing is to roll back your designation to Research Scientist II , I love it
Thanks,
Ranjan.D
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My title's currently Technical Architect, but I spend such a large percentage of my time helping out other team members/users with completely unrelated things that I introduce myself as Dogsbody.
Possible Title Suggestion for you: Solution Architect and Developer.
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Normally all subcontractors are known as Software Consultants - that is their official title given by the agencies. Within the company they work for, some seek titles; others, like myself couldn't be bothered.
The only time the title is required is when I produce documents. I normally put down Software Developer. In the 5 years that I've been there, nobody has noticed that that job title doesn't really exist in the company. Everyone else is an Engineer of some sort, a Technical Expert (in what?) or head of something.
On the CV, I just put down Developer: it covers Programmer, Analyst, Analyst/Programmer, Software Engineer, Architect, Technical Lead, Consultant. After all, my job has been roughly the same whatever they've called me.
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(?) -> Research Investigator - Senior Scientist
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I understand completely on this one and I'm sort of in the same boat, though I'm not looking for another job. I've been writing software here for about two years. They are trying to work out a job title that best fits my job duties, including programming, database and server maintenance, computer repairs, and a bunch of other things which are IT related. They're still trying to get my pay well above what it is now. However, they find it difficult because they don't have any titles which incorporate the things I do, at least not accurately. They (upper management) are trying to work out a job title which incorporates my job duties as completely as possible. They've even mentioned having to create an all new title.
I am a solo developer as well which, as you stated, makes it difficult for them to find a title. So I would like to know as well.
djj55: Nice but may have a permission problem
Pete O'Hanlon: He has my permission to run it.
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Maybe they end up with something like "The Super Guru programmer God who does magic things we don't understand"
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Sadly, that's how I feel they think about my position and is part of why I want to leave. They have no idea what I'm doing, which was okay for a while, but is now rather unsatisfying.
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Marco Alessandro Bertschi wrote: The Super Guru programmer God who does magic things we don't understand
What a coincidence, that is my job title!
"State acheived after eating too many chocolate-covered coconut bars - bountiful"
Chris C-B
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That was my nickname in high school.
--
Harvey
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DeathByChocolate wrote: The Super Guru programmer God who does magic things we don't understand for chocolate
I think you missed the important part.
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peterchen wrote: ... for chocolate
"State acheived after eating too many chocolate-covered coconut bars - bountiful"
Chris C-B
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Code Monkey (evolved)
modified 20-Oct-19 21:02pm.
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You're letting her get away with this?
May I suggest: Pansy.
PRO-TIP: When you get a different job make sure you let her know the whole job title issue is the reason why you left the company. Tell them you're big on flexibility in that area and that your new job doesn't pay more but you get to chose your own title.
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MehGerbil wrote: that your new job doesn't pay more but you get to chose your own title.
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I, too, have a silly corporate job title. It sounds impressive, but I hadnt considered that when looking for my next job it might actually be a hindrance.
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I had the official job title of "Senior Geoscience Advisor" once and I never figured out what that meant. I have no idea what your official title is, but I would leave it at that and explain what it is you actually do in the job description part.
CQ de W5ALT
Walt Fair, Jr., P. E.
Comport Computing
Specializing in Technical Engineering Software
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In an ideal world, that would work, but in reality, I think people are hitting the title first and jumping to conclusions. Even if they read the description, I think they have trouble getting over that first impression.
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Well, in an ideal world I wouldn't want to work for a company that doesn't take the time to read what a prospective employee really can do.
Of course, I haven't looked for a job since 1973, the jobs come looking for me no matter what my official title may be.
CQ de W5ALT
Walt Fair, Jr., P. E.
Comport Computing
Specializing in Technical Engineering Software
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