Job Titles Are Overrated—Here’s What Actually Matters

This thought has been quietly lingering since I switched companies and found myself occasionally put in a box, but it recently came into sharp focus during conversations with some truly impressive but understated people:

Job titles are often meaningless.

At least, not in the way many people think.

In some companies—especially in the US—everyone seems to be a VP. In others, the title “Director” gets handed out to just about everyone, regardless of level or scope. In one organization, “Associate Director” might mean you're practically running the show. In another, it might mean you're one step above entry-level.

So here’s the reality: If you’re relying on your job title to speak for your skills, experience, or leadership—you're likely being overlooked.

And if you're chasing titles thinking they'll magically open doors or reflect your growth, you're going to be disappointed unless you stay at the same company for life. Titles don’t translate across orgs the way we’d like them to.

Even worse, I see talented people skipping over job ads because the title sounds too senior—without actually reading what the role involves. Or they write off others based on a title that, out of context, means very little.

The truth is this: What you do matters more than what your title says.

Here’s an example from my own career.

I started out as a Scientific Communications Director in a well-structured, established team. Everyone had clear responsibilities and stuck to their lane. I did my bit, delivered well, and built a reputation for getting things done.

Then I moved to a team that was basically starting over—medical affairs was under-resourced, most of the team had moved on, and there was a real gap. I jumped in where I could: ad boards, MSL training, data training, you name it. Slowly, I became a go-to person not just for execution, but for strategic input.

Eventually, I was sitting on leadership calls, helping to shape direction.Same title. Totally different scope.

Next minute, I’d essentially reorganized the team, helped build a more collaborative culture, and just like that—I was being moved onto launching the next assets. And so it continued.

The title hadn’t changed—but the trust, the impact, and the actual work had.

This is why your resume and LinkedIn need to go beyond the job title. Highlight the real experience. Show the outcomes, the leadership, the adaptability. That’s the stuff that opens doors—not the word “Director” or “Manager” next to your name.

And one final thing: If you're waiting to get promoted before you act like a leader? You might be waiting forever. The fastest way to grow is to start demonstrating leadership before someone tells you to. That’s how you build a case for advancement—by doing the work now, not just hoping someone notices later.