Practical International Data Management - Job titles

Processing

• It is useful to code job functions as well as to collect the full, correct job title, as there are hundreds of thousands of different job titles in use.
• In field labels on input forms, avoid using the field label title. This is confusing because it can refer to a form of address, an academic title, a job title or more. Use a field label that explains clearly what you require, such as Job title.
• On input forms, avoid using a drop down with pre-defined job title categories. These never cover all job titles or categories, and are disliked by customers who are attached and proud of their job titles and expect them to be used correctly when being communicated with.
• Collect job title data correctly at the input stage and avoid over-processing them at a later stage.
• Be aware that one person can have more than one job title.
• Job titles can be very long. Allow field size of at least 100 characters to hold job titles.

Examples

• Some "unusual" (real) job titles: Bear Biologist and Paperfolder, Bride Kidnapping Expert, Cat Behavior Consultant, Chief Catholic Correspondent, Chief Trouble Maker, Chocolate Beer Specialist, Head of Potatoes, In Charge of the Big Door, Penguinologist, Pork Rind Expert, Pornography Historian, Shredded Cheese Authority, Teen Exorcist

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