Should job titles be capitalised? Everything you need to know
Ah, the capitalisation dilemma. You’re midway through writing an email or a blog post, and suddenly it hits you - "Should I capitalise this job title?”
Is it ‘Marketing Manager’, ‘marketing manager’, or something completely different?
Don’t worry, if you’ve been in this position, you’re far from alone.
This is one of those questions I come across all the time, and I mean all the time - whether it’s in blogs, emails, social media captions, or even in marketing materials sent to me for proofreading before they go public.
It’s a surprisingly common mistake, and if you’re aiming for a professional tone in your content, it’s worth getting it right.
So, should job titles be capitalised? Let’s break it down, because the rules are simpler than you might think (and once you know them, you won’t have to second-guess yourself again).
When you should capitalise job titles
The general rule is simple: capitalise job titles when they come directly before a person’s name.
In this case, the job title is part of their name, so it gets the capitalisation treatment. Think of it like giving the title the same respect as a proper noun.
For example:
Correct: Marketing Manager Liam Marshall
Incorrect: Liam Marshall, Marketing Manager
But here’s where things get fun (stay with me): when a comma jumps into the mix, it’s like throwing down an Uno Reverse card.
If the job title follows the person’s name - comma and all - it flips the rule, and suddenly you’re looking at lowercase.
For example:
Correct: Liam Marshall, marketing manager, said...
Incorrect: Liam Marshall, Marketing Manager, said...
That little comma changes everything. So, if your job title comes after the name, it’s time to let go of the capital letters.
When style meets grammar
Now, let’s talk about those places where you see job titles capitalised even when they don’t follow the usual rules - like in email signatures or CV headings.
In these situations, job titles are often capitalised as part of a presentation or to give a sense of formality and hierarchy. It’s less about following strict grammar rules and more about styling.
For example:
Correct: Liam Marshall, Marketing Manager (in an email signature)
Also Correct: Marketing Manager, Liam Marshall (as a CV heading)
In these cases, capitalisation is more about creating a polished, professional look. So if you’re drafting an email signature or designing a CV, you’ve got some creative freedom.
When you shouldn’t capitalise job titles
Now, for the moments when you need to keep your Shift key in check.
Don’t capitalise job titles when they’re used in a general or generic sense.
This is where I see most people going wrong, so read closely to this next bit… If you’re referring to the role rather than the person in that role, you can safely stick to lowercase.
For example:
Correct: The role of marketing manager involves...
Incorrect: The role of Marketing Manager involves...
Similarly, if you’re casually mentioning what someone does for a living without attaching their name to it, lowercase is the way to go.
For instance, “I’ve worked as a marketing manager for five years” doesn’t need any capitalisation.
The same rule applies if a job title follows a person’s name. For example, “Liam Marshall is a content writer in Liverpool” would be lowercase because the job title is simply describing the role, not acting as a formal title.
Capitalisation is only required when the job title directly precedes the person's name or is used as part of their formal title.
Quick recap: The capitalisation rules for job titles
Let’s recap the main rules so you can whizz through your next document with confidence:
Capitalise job titles when they come directly before a person’s name.
Use lowercase when the job title comes after a person’s name or is used generically.
In signatures, headings, or CVs, capitalisation is often used for presentation.
Easy enough, right?
Why does it even matter?
At this point, you might be wondering: does it really matter if I capitalise a job title here and there? The short answer is yes!
Consistency in your writing makes a huge difference, especially when you’re aiming for a professional tone. Misuse of capital letters can throw off the reader and make your writing feel careless, which is not the vibe you want in a professional setting.
Whether it’s for an important email or content writing for your business, sticking to these rules will help keep your writing polished and credible.
Plus, when it comes to SEO and building trust with your audience, paying attention to these little details can have a big impact.
So, should job titles be capitalised?
The answer is yes - sometimes! As long as you follow these simple guidelines, you’ll have no trouble staying consistent and professional in your writing. And if you’re still feeling unsure or need a second pair of eyes on your content, I’m here to help!
From blog posts to CVs, we can work together to keep your writing sharp, professional, and on point. Take a look at my content writing and proofreading services to see how I can support your next project.
