Do Job Titles Still Matter in 2025?
Thoughts after 1000+ GTM Interviews
After conducting over 1,000 interviews, sifting through tons of job postings, and meeting countless “VPs” who were essentially individual contributors, here’s the deal: job titles matter, but not in the way you might think.
I’ve spent years recruiting for go-to-market (GTM) roles in sales, marketing, customer success, you name it. If I got a dollar for every candidate who claimed to be a “Vice President” but turned out to be a solo marketer at a scrappy startup, I’d be sipping cocktails on a beach right now. So let’s cut through the noise and talk about why the gap between your title and your actual role could be holding you back in 2025.
Hiring Managers See Through the Hype
Hiring managers aren’t idiots. You might’ve snagged a “VP of Marketing” title at a startup because they couldn’t pay you what you’re worth. Cool, but don’t be surprised when you apply for a legit VP role and get ghosted.
I recently spoke with a hiring manager who put it bluntly:
“We liked the candidate’s energy, but their LinkedIn said ‘VP of Marketing,’ and they’d only managed two interns. We need someone who’s run a team, owned a budget, and driven pipeline. This wasn’t it.”
Ouch, but real. Inflated titles scream “fluff” to people who know what’s up. They’ll question your self-awareness and whether you can actually deliver. If your title doesn’t match your experience, own it. Highlight your impact instead of leaning on a shiny label.
Recruiters Need Titles They Can Search
As a recruiter, I’m not here to play detective with your creative job title. I’m searching LinkedIn for “Account Executive” or “Customer Success Manager.” If you’re a “Revenue Sorcerer” or “Client Joy Guru,” you’re invisible to me. Full stop.
Data backs this up: LinkedIn profiles with standard job titles get 2.5x more recruiter views. Quirky titles might feel fun, but they’re career suicide.
If your company gave you a weird title, no worries. Just add a translation:
“Strategic Growth Partner (Account Executive)”
“Client Advocate (Customer Success Manager)”
Think of your title as SEO for your career. Make it easy for people like me to find you.
The Title Trap: Fancy Labels, Lower Pay
Here’s the dirty secret no one talks about: startups love handing out big titles instead of big salaries. You’re thrilled to tell your friends you’re “Head of Marketing,” but when you apply for another “Head of” role, the interviewer expects someone who’s led teams, shaped strategy, and owned revenue targets. Meanwhile, you’ve been grinding out ad campaigns and email drips by yourself.
Now you’re over-titled, underpaid, and stuck. Worse, the candidate who played it straight with a “Marketing Manager” title—and has the same experience—gets filtered out by recruiters searching for “Head of” roles. Everyone loses.
The Messy Reality
I’ve seen this from every angle:
Hiring managers skip candidates for Account Executive roles because their last title was “Sales Director,” even if they were an individual contributor the whole time.
Amazing candidates get buried because their title was something vague like “Growth Architect” (it meant SDR).
Some companies use non-standard titles on purpose to make it harder for recruiters to poach their people. Shady, and I have no proof but I'm 99% sure companies do this 😂.
The job market’s a jungle. So how do you navigate it?
How to Win at Job Titles in 2025
Stick to Real Titles (or Translate Them)
If your title is vague or cutesy, add the standard version in parentheses on your LinkedIn and resume. Clarity is your friend.Don’t Fake It—Frame It
Your resume should showcase what you did, not just what your title claimed. Be honest, but strategic about your impact.If You’re Hiring, Keep It Simple
No one’s applying to be a “Pipeline Wizard” or “Customer Happiness Evangelist.” Call the role what it is.Think Long-Term
A title that lands you a job today but screws you over for the next one isn’t a win. Choose wisely.
My Take as a Recruiter
Your title is the bait, but your experience and results are the hook. If those don’t line up, you’re either not getting calls or you’re wasting time interviewing for roles you won’t land.
I’ve seen candidates with inflated titles burn weeks chasing jobs they were never qualified for. I’ve also seen great people with vague titles get zero traction because recruiters couldn’t find them. Both suck.
The goal isn’t to sound cool (and believe me, you don't)—it’s to get noticed and prove you’re the right fit.
Your Turn
Ever had a job title that helped or hurt your career? Or hired someone with a totally absurd one? Share your story below. And if you know someone calling themselves a “Fractional CRO” while still logging leads in Salesforce, send them—this might be their wake-up call.
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– James
RolePulse
They do matter only if you let them define you.
Also, I believe that impact matters more than titles.