So whether a company is offering hollow titles or employees are fudging it themselves on their LinkedIn profile, it can hurt in the long run. Here’s why. It also can wind up keeping employees at the company longer than they want, because when they try to move on to a new job with a similar title, they realize they don’t meet the qualifications. Unfortunately, this actually devalues the title and the employee, and makes it more difficult for them to land a job in the future. Take, for example, a customer service representative who holds a title like “customer happiness hero.” These types of titles are created to attract talent and make an environment seem laid-back and inviting, but they’re often empty buzzwords that don’t offer any information about the role. Title inflation can also manifest itself through bizarre word choices. With fewer rungs on the corporate ladder, promotions might occur less often - but that doesn’t stop companies from offering title-only upgrades, where employees assume a more prestigious job title without a pay increase or added responsibilities. Vanity titles, for example, are quite common in the startup world, especially at companies that lack a clear organizational hierarchy. And just like with any asset, a disconnect between the supposed value and the fundamental truth can end poorly.Įxperts say that title inflation can usually crop up in a few ways.

Job titles are a key part of an employee’s currency on the labor market and can affect how someone’s career progresses, how much money they make, and even their status among peers and customers. No matter how they arise, inflated job titles can have long-term effects on employees, organizations, and ultimately, on recruiters who have to comb through exaggerated titles to find qualified candidates.

Or maybe a job hunter, frustrated by some uncredited work, finds an inventive way to describe their last role. Maybe a company trying to retain talent offers a bigger title - but not all the responsibilities and pay that should follow. It’s pretty easy to imagine how it happens. Spend a little time on LinkedIn, and you’re bound to see job titles that don’t quite match up with reality.

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