Here’s a guide for professionals with unique job titles looking to make their experience clear to recruiters and hiring managers.
Why Resume Job Titles MatterRecruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATS) often scan resumes for common keywords and familiar titles. If your resume job title is too specific to your company—like “Agent Experience Analyst”—it may not be clear to an outside recruiter that you performed a role similar to a Product Owner. Translating internal job titles can help ensure your application isn’t overlooked.
How to List Job Titles on Your Resume1. Use Your Official Title With Clarification
One best way to list job titles is to show your official title and add context in parentheses:
Agent Experience Analyst (Product Owner equivalent)
Agent Experience Analyst (Product Owner scope)
This method is honest and helps those reviewing your resume quickly connect your experience with the roles they’re hiring for.
2. Clarify in the Role Description
Another effective resume writing strategy for career change or clarity is to keep your official title, but start your description with an explanation:
Agent Experience Analyst
Functioned as a Product Owner: managed product backlog, led agile teams, defined requirements, and worked closely with stakeholders.
This way, you clarify job roles on your resume without changing your actual title.
3. Combine Both Approaches
For maximum clarity, reinforce your transferable experience in both the title and the description:
Agent Experience Analyst
(Role functioned as a Product Owner—led cross-functional teams, managed product lifecycle, prioritized backlog.)
Why Transparency Matters for Recruiters
If an employer verifies your background, HR will only confirm your official internal job title. Listing only “Product Owner” could create confusion or concerns about accuracy. That’s why career coaching resume tips always recommend being transparent and adding context instead of changing your title outright.
Final Resume Advice for Professionals
- Always use your official internal job title on your resume.
- Add a clarifying phrase (such as “Product Owner equivalent”) in parentheses or in the first line of your description.
- Use keywords from targeted job postings to help with ATS and recruiter searches.
- Explain unique or company-specific roles in your cover letter or LinkedIn summary if needed.
Bottom Line:
Don’t let unusual internal job titles on your resume block you from new opportunities. With these resume tips for unique job titles, you can make sure recruiters see the value of your experience—no matter what it says on your old badge.
Need help with translating internal job titles or resume writing for career change? Reach out for personalized career coaching advice by calling 866.827.7302 or emailing [email protected]!