Professional Development Work Relationships

5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Care About Your Job Title

job-title
Written by Peter Jones

We need to work to pay the bills and afford to keep ourselves and our loved ones afloat. That’s the bare minimum and the bottom line. But too often people get tangled up in the status of their job title, and it can make them miserable. Here are 5 reasons why you should stop worrying about the name of your job and start enjoying the fact that you have it (and don’t hate it!).

1. You’re appreciated

When you do something well, you ideally are recognized for your achievement and your coworkers and/or boss take the time out to give you a pat on the back. Maybe your employer makes a point of rewarding your success in your annual review, or perhaps you see their gratitude reflected in a bonus or a salary increase?

If you’re getting this kind of attention—and praise when you have earned it—that’s more than many people can say in unsatisfying jobs they hate.

2. You’re not chained to the desk

Having a job with flexibility is like getting a glimpse of the holy grail. If you’ve found a job where you can set your own hours, or work remotely even part of the time, or just swap out when you need to take care of things at home, then you have something worth more than any title: work-life balance. Hold on to it.

3. You’ve got control

Maybe your boss encourages you to grow your career—and, more importantly, gives you the freedom to decide for yourself which opportunities would do that best. If you feel like you’re continually learning something every week you work, then you’re in a pretty good position.

4. You’re an asset

You know you’re good at what you do, but in this case your boss knows it too. She has made—and continues to make—an investment in you. You’re trusted to face new challenges, given unimpeded access to new training and other learning opportunities… In short, you’re valued.

5. You enjoy yourself

Do you actually like coming to work every day? More or less enjoy what you do? Have a good working relationship with your coworkers and boss? Maybe you don’t love what you do or do what you love, but that is a rare thing indeed. If you like what you do, you’re halfway there. And that is worth more than any title.

About the author

Peter Jones