How Tweaking Job Titles Helped a UX Designer Pass ATS and Land Interviews
When it comes to resumes, your job title can either help you stand out or get lost in the shuffle. Here’s how we reworked confusing job titles to help a UX designer’s resume pass ATS filters and land her interviews.
The Problem: Confusing Job Titles That Tanked Her Chances
Sometimes, your job titles can sabotage your entire job search. That’s exactly what happened to one of my clients. Despite her deep experience in UX research and product design, her resume wasn’t even getting to the hiring manager’s desk.
The culprit? Cryptic, unhelpful job titles like:
Self-Service Tools Associate
Product Implementation & Optimization Associate
Clinical Strategy Associate
These titles made her look like an associate in completely unrelated fields, leaving the ATS (Applicant Tracking System) scratching its virtual head. It’s no wonder her applications kept slipping through the cracks.
The Fix: Strategic Title Tweaks to Align with Her Career Goals
To make her expertise clear from the get-go, I rephrased her job titles to reflect her real role and skills. Here’s how we transformed them:
Self-Service Tools Associate → “UX Researcher and Product Designer, Self-Service Tools”
Product Implementation & Optimization Associate → “User Researcher & Product Designer, Platform Optimization”
Clinical Strategy Associate → “Clinical Research & Strategy Associate”
Each new title included keywords like “UX,” “Product Designer,” or “Research,” aligning her titles with the roles she was aiming for. This helped her applications pass ATS filters and caught the eye of hiring managers in UX and product design.
Why Job Titles Matter More Than You Think
When recruiters or ATS software scan your resume, job titles are one of the first things they notice. A misleading or irrelevant title can cause an ATS to skip your resume entirely or confuse hiring managers.
Here’s how to check if your job titles are working for you:
Align with Your Target Role: Make sure each title clearly reflects the type of work you’re applying for.
Use Keywords Wisely: Include relevant industry keywords like “UX,” “Product Designer,” or “Research” where possible.
Keep It Honest but Strategic: Small tweaks are okay, but stay truthful. Reflect your experience accurately while aligning with the job you want.
Final Takeaway: Don’t Let Your Job Titles Hold You Back
If your resume isn’t landing you interviews, take a closer look at your job titles. Sometimes, a small change in wording can be a game-changer, especially if you're applying to highly competitive fields like UX and product design.
Need help transforming your resume into a strategic, job-winning tool? Reach out today to get the guidance you need to make your resume work for you.