I work in industry as an analyst. Some of my colleages with the same official job titles call themselves managers in email signatures, on linkedin, etc. Is it ok for me to call myself a senior analyst or manager on my cv and when I talk to recruiters and potential employers?

*colleagues

no

Yes - its cool

No - pretty big discrepancy when they take your references

You can call yourself what you like all your reference can legally show is "Yes, Joe Bloggs was employed by this company between date X and Date Y"

@Anonimator: don't be stupid. The HR reference letter in all three firms I've worked for shows your last official position (level as opposed to "role") and start/end dates. @OP: At manager and above hiring companies & recruiters will definitely check references and that may include phoning up industry contacts / clients where necessary. You'd definitely crack if a good interviewer spoke to you and smelled a rat.

You can call yourself what you like. It will make no difference. People are interested in what you have done not what you are called.

If you have indeed been performing a Manager's or Senior Analyst's role, whether in whole or part, mention this on your CV and at interview. I would not recommend inflating your title on your CV though not only as this can be verified, but also if you are on an analyst's salary and call yourself a manager you will look like an underperformer.

If my official title is Analyst can I call myself Senior Analyst?

No.If we keep repeating this same word every third response, do you think you might finally understand that the answer is NO.Drinking with mates in the pub, at college reunions, in bed with your chosen one, in the shower tallking to yourself - in all of these circumstances you can refer to yourself as analyst, senior analyst, vice-president or even Marigold, as you wish.In all interview and CV related circumstances using anything other than your official title risks discovery, subsequent branding as a liar and rescinding of any job offer made.

I have also spent a year as an analyst and some of my peers have started to interview for external positions, where I am sure they have exagerated their experience.Would it be acceptable for me to continue to use the title analyst, but pretend/infer on my CV that I have in fact been running the European sales division?

@also an analyst... why yes, we HAVE been looking for walter mitty type fantasists who have been captaining industry in their heads while doing low level system testing grunt work. What's your notice period and how soon can you start running our global IIB (imaginary investment banking) division?!

Hi - I work at PA. Can I call myself a Consultant?

see walter mitty response above...

What about LinkedIn? A guy from my office (not in consulting) has recently put up a profile there calling himself "XY Coordinator", even though he's officially a "XY Analyst". Yep, he's looking for a new job. Just curious how this would be viewed....

You screwed it all up, you've got no right to call yourself Mr. Manager

I wouldn't do personally, not unless your title or role description says you're a Manager.Potential employers may do some digging during the Interview stage and ask you why you've put Manager. So if you do, make sure you can back it up with a good reason.Normally a Manager has staff under them. I have known Managers who don't have staff, but in those circumstances they were the only ones in their Department, so you could argue they still manage the Department.Hope that helps.Jimmiewww.itbodies.co.uk