If there's one rule we've been taught when it comes to job hunting, it's this: don't lie on your resume. And that makes sense, if the employer decides to verify something that didn't actually happen, it's going to be a problem. But what about those things that aren't lies, but the company might not see them the same way you do?
One recruiter believes that you should be completely accurate in describing the role you held, even if it means using a title that the company may not officially recognize. To her, this is the most honest way to show what you actually did and increase your chances of getting the job.
So, yes, you can change the job title on your resume.
A former recruiter and career expert, Hanna, known on TikTok as @hannagetshired, is in favor of this change. In one of her videos, she explains why it's acceptable, even necessary, to adjust your job title when applying for new positions.
"If no one has given you this advice yet, take it from a former recruiter: you can change the job title on your CV or LinkedIn so that you are more competitive in the market," she says.
This may sound disturbing to some, as a way to “distort the truth.” But Hanna argues that it is actually more honest, because it more clearly reflects the real duties and responsibilities you had.
“There are many job titles that only make sense within a company,” she adds. “Often the titles are internal, or don’t align with the full range of your responsibilities. At another company, the same job might be called something else or be in a different department.”
According to her, this is an opportunity to be more precise and to better communicate the value she brings as a professional.
The example he gives is this: if your title was "Marketing Manager", but over time you also took over content strategy and social networks, then on your CV you could write something like: "Digital Marketing Manager" or "Email + Content Marketing Manager".
She emphasizes that you shouldn't lie, but that as long as it realistically reflects your experience and accurately describes the work you've done, it's justified.
Other career experts agree. Bruce Eckfeldt, a career coach, says it's okay to change your job title a little, as long as it's not misleading.
“You can edit the title for more clarity and understanding, as long as it's not misleading about your experience,” he explains.
For example, if you were hired as a production assistant but took on greater responsibilities and worked at a higher level for several years, instead of saying “Assistant,” you could write “Member of production team for 3 years.”
The bottom line? Your job title on your CV should be clear, fair, and truly representative of the work you did, even if it means going beyond what was written in the employment contract.
At the end of the day, your CV is not a legal document, it is a marketing tool, and it should best showcase the value you bring to a new role.
