I realize our original writer works in the corporate world (I think), but I think she's running up against the same rules here as we often find in academia - everyone in square peg A must fit in square hole A. There are X number of job titles and they want to figure out how to fit everyone into the job titles that are available. They don't want to make more. They don't want to bend rules for one person to allow that one person to have a job title that doesn't belong. You work part-time, you get a part-time title. Doesn't matter that the company or university or whatever doesn't have one that fits the job you actually do. You'll take the one they give you and like it.
I had one job where my official title was "secretary." My actual job was more like research assistant. I had another job where my official title was senior administrative assistant. My actual job was recruiter/legislative reporter. In the second case, they gave me a much better sounding unofficial title and printed that on my business cards. That's what I put on my resume too. It doesn't match up with my personnel records, so I always make sure it comes up in my cover letter or somewhere. BTW, my next job title was "specialist." How's that for descriptive? I think fighting tooth and nail for a better job title while you can is good advice. If they close the door, maybe this is the next step. Maybe I have a better understanding of university personnel policies than many. Keep in mind that no one is going to do a background check on you until they've got you on a short list of 3 or 4. It's too expensive and time-consuming to do otherwise. Which means they've already interviewed you and you've already had the chance to address this issue. Make sure you do so. Jana -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Rick Faaberg Sent: Friday, May 28, 2010 7:20 PM To: Videolib List Subject: Re: [Videolib] Changing job title? Professional question. On 5/28/10 1:30 PM, "[email protected]" <[email protected]> sent this: > I think it matters--a lot. Let's face it, this profession is generally on > the margins (at best) in most institutional settings and cultures (even in > academia, sometimes and in some cases) We're often viewed as little more > than clerical. I think titles, as idiotic as they are, can make a > difference in how one is perceived in the institutional culture. > > I'd rather be considered almost anything than an "assistant"...take > "library" out of the title completely, but no assistant anything. Yeah, I don't understand how the number of hours one works affects the title of the position. You would be performing the same duties? Keep the same title. Ymmv Rick Faaberg VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors. **Bronze+Blue=Green** The University of Central Oklahoma is Bronze, Blue, and Green! Please print this e-mail only if absolutely necessary! **CONFIDENTIALITY** This e-mail (including any attachments) may contain confidential, proprietary and privileged information. Any unauthorized disclosure or use of this information is prohibited. VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
