2/13    I had a managment job without a manager title.  My VP refused to
        make me a manager on the ground that "I didn't have enough years
        of experience".  I did all the management work, including hiring.
        Now I am looking for a new job with a manager title, how do I
        explain to my prospect employer about the situation when they
        challenge me that I didn't have a manager title before?
        \_ Put on your resume what you did. But you will still have
           tough time getting a job with "manager" in the title,
           especially in this job market.
        \_ My company's the opposite. Since all salaries are frozen,
           they've been throwing around titles like crazy. People haven't
           moved up the org chart, but we randomly create new positions w/
           fancy titles... pretty weak. we rule.
        \_ How many people did you really hire, and how many projects
           did you manage?
        \_ Put in your valid title and then in parens put "Acting Manager."
           Be sure to note all managerial tasks you performed in description.
           Of course, you're assuming that someone will check references...
           Have someone who worked "under" you as a reference.
           \_ I have done all this.  I just don't know how to answer
              questions like, "why didn't they just make you a manager?"
              What's the best way to answer that?  Be honest and said
              because the VP was an idiot and discriminated me against
              my young age? I don't think that would go too well? -op
              \_ you can be honest without sounding like you hated the VP
                 personally or whining about being "discriminated against".
                 just say that the policy at your company required a manager
                 to have a certain number of years of experience to have
                 the title but that your responsibilities were the same
                 as a manager.
              \_ "Headcount problem." They felt they didn't have the resources
                 to make my title official. It's a dodge, but a useful one.
                 Also note you can provide references to support it.