Comment by scott_w
2 years ago
Job titles across companies are definitely nonsense but I suspect this has always been the case with all titles, since forever. For example, a senior at one company might be mid-level at another. I've had conversations with a friend who'd interviewed someone who was CTO at a company but never touched a budget, something that a mid-level manager would be expected to do at their own company!
Even differences from department to department in the same company can be huge.
Ack! What is the path forward then? Finding out as many details about each position as you can before you apply?
You take the job if you like the interview. If you end up not liking it, then change teams again. In my experience, changing teams just leads to another negative team/situation. Maybe it's better in one way, but ends up being worse in others. Seems like all jobs are shit at this point.
Honestly? Don't worry too much about it. It's not worth the stress you'll give yourself.
I guess the only real titles are probably the ones in the military
That's definitely not true. Consider the US Navy rank of commander (O-5 / CDR).
On the one hand, this could be someone who is an unrestricted line officer and a qualified surface warfare officer. This is someone who could be the commanding officer of a destroyer.
On the other hand, this could be a dentist with 20 years of experience but no significant leadership responsibilities.
The quote I've heard in the context of the UK's Royal Navy is that the same rank can be commanding officer of a ship at sea or someone who makes tea for an admiral at Northwood.
And even they're not equivalent across countries ;-)