Get Rid of ‘Title Envy’ Once and For All

Senior Vice President in Charge of Synergy.

Executive Account Manager – Medium/Large Businesses.

Local Media Consultant.

Can you guess which title I held? Trick question. I’ve worked under two of these three examples straight out of college. One provided me sharp business cards and $37,000 per year. The most I got out of those business cards was using them to write my phone number on and hand to women I met at the bar. My company should have been teaching me to develop meaningful business relationships and overcome common fears recent graduates face. Instead, they wasted some money on ink and cardboard.

The cardboard at my next job had a less desirable title. I more than doubled my income in one year! Keep your titles, I’ll take the cash and a more interesting and challenging career any day. So what does this rant mean to you?

Have you ever heard the phrase ‘talk is cheap’? Don’t be fooled by promises of huge paychecks if you know the job isn’t the right fit. I labored 2+ years in a position I found mind-numbing because the small possibility of a giant payday blinded me to the fact I absolutely hated the job! Once I fully grasped that the work was a chore instead of my passion I quit. Walked up to my boss and handed in my employee badge #8455. Smiled the whole train ride home too!

Six weeks later I was hired on to a position with a non-flashy title that challenged, excited and rewarded me very well financially. Do what you love because you think it’s fun, and never fall in love with a title.

P.S. I’ve found that business cards are great as emergency note cards.

P.S.S They’re even better if you use them for their intended purpose — deliver them to friends, prospects, and people whom you have already shown interest in and shared a conversation!