Your job title is the most important element of your job post. It's what shows up in search results. It's what determines if anyone clicks. And most companies get it completely wrong.
"Rockstar Engineer" sounds fun in your head. In reality, it gets zero searches. Meanwhile, "Software Engineer" gets 550,000+ searches per month.
Creative titles cost you applicants. This guide shows you what candidates actually search for, how to structure titles for maximum visibility, and real examples across industries.
What Candidates Actually Search
We analyzed millions of job searches. Here's what people type into search bars:
Top Job Title Searches (Monthly Volume)
| Job Title | Monthly Searches |
|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 550,000 |
| Registered Nurse | 450,000 |
| Project Manager | 368,000 |
| Sales Representative | 301,000 |
| Account Manager | 246,000 |
| Marketing Manager | 201,000 |
| Product Designer | 165,000 |
Creative Titles (Monthly Searches)
More searches for "Software Engineer" than "Code Ninja"
Be findable, not clever
The Title Formula
The perfect job title has three elements:
1. Level (Optional but Recommended)
Helps candidates self-select. Reduces unqualified applications.
2. Function (Required)
Use the standard industry term. Not the creative version.
✓ Standard
- Software Engineer
- Product Designer
- Marketing Manager
- Sales Representative
✗ Creative
- Code Artisan
- Pixel Perfectionist
- Growth Ninja
- Revenue Wizard
3. Location/Remote (Highly Recommended)
Top filter for candidates. Include it in the title or right after.
Good vs Bad by Industry
ENGINEERING Engineering Titles
✓ Good Examples
- Senior Software Engineer (Remote)
- Frontend Developer - NYC
- Lead Backend Engineer (Hybrid)
- Staff DevOps Engineer
- Junior Full Stack Developer
✗ Bad Examples
- Code Ninja
- Rockstar Engineer
- 10x Developer
- Software Wizard
- Code Artisan
MARKETING Marketing Titles
✓ Good Examples
- Marketing Manager (Remote)
- Content Marketing Manager
- Senior SEO Specialist
- Digital Marketing Coordinator
- Product Marketing Manager
✗ Bad Examples
- Growth Hacker
- Marketing Ninja
- Brand Evangelist
- Content Wizard
- SEO Guru
SALES Sales Titles
✓ Good Examples
- Sales Representative - Austin
- Account Executive (Remote)
- Senior Sales Manager
- Business Development Rep
- Inside Sales Associate
✗ Bad Examples
- Revenue Artist
- Deal Closer Extraordinaire
- Sales Rockstar
- Revenue Ninja
- Growth Champion
DESIGN Design Titles
✓ Good Examples
- Product Designer (Remote)
- Senior UX Designer
- UI/UX Designer - SF
- Graphic Designer
- Lead Product Designer
✗ Bad Examples
- Pixel Perfectionist
- Design Ninja
- UX Rockstar
- Creative Wizard
- Visual Storyteller
Post Jobs with Optimized Titles
EasyApply suggests SEO-friendly job titles as you type. Get more qualified applicants without the guesswork.
Post Your First Job Free →Location & Remote in Titles
Location is one of the top job search filters. Don't make candidates dig for it.
Of job seekers filter by location before clicking
How to Format Location
For Remote Roles
For On-Site Roles
For Hybrid Roles
Common Mistakes
Mistake #1: Trying to Be Clever
"Ninja," "Rockstar," "Guru," "Wizard" — nobody searches for these.
Mistake #2: Using Internal Titles
Your internal job titles don't match what candidates search.
Mistake #3: Too Long
Titles over 60 characters get cut off in search results.
Mistake #4: Missing Seniority
Candidates filter by experience level. Don't waste their time.
Mistake #5: Vague Generalist Titles
Too broad = doesn't rank for specific searches.
Complete Job Posting Optimization Guide
Titles are just the start. Learn how to optimize every element of your job post for maximum applications.
Read the Full Guide →Quick Reference Checklist
Your Job Title Should:
Start Getting More Applicants
Post jobs with optimized titles. EasyApply suggests SEO-friendly job titles and helps you write posts that actually attract qualified candidates.
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