The term blue-collar was originally used for skilled or unskilled workers involve in manufacturing, mining, building and construction trades and other jobs that engage in manual labor. The term blue collar actually stemmed up from the workwear apparel that industrial and manual workers wore which was, and still is, a light or navy blue work shirt. The work clothing were made of durable denim fabric which can be dirtied  or soiled at work as oppose to the white usually worn as corporate clothing of those in the office environment. Color-coding used to identify the difference in socio-economic class before but it has become fuzzy over years with both all workers, whether in factories or the corporate world, wears white and blue work shirts. These days, it is no longer the corporate uniform that sets the tone of the corporate world. Some Silicon Valley entrepreneurs such as Steve Jobs wear jeans as part of the business casual look.

Job titles or positions has also become of the gauge of success. Once there is a “manager” or “senior” in your job title that would mean you are in a managerial position. But then there are also job titles that are a little bit obscure. It sounds enviable but does not easily show you what the job description is.  There are now so many new jobs and job titles that we did not use to have. Some have crop up because of technology and the need to have someone working on a specific job. A job or position usually has a title that makes it easily apparent what the job description is. Take for example when the job title says Registered Nurse. No doubt about it you know that the person is a health care professional.

There are job titles that are just desirable, it sounds like a title/position you want on your resume or on your business card. But when you take a closer look at the job description, either it is not what you thought it is or worse, it is a job that is not really that interesting and suited to your skills.

Here are some of the weird and wonderful job titles I have seen:

Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer
What the job seems to be: Sounds like Harry Potter's nemesis Lord Voldemort or someone in a conspiracy theory or the real power behind the government in a Robert Ludlum novel.
What it really is: The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the title of the British Cabinet minister responsible for all economic and financial matters, controls HM Treasury and is considered one of the four Great Offices of State.  The Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer on the other hand is the member of the Shadow Cabinet responsible for shadowing the Chancellor of the Exchequer but with no constitutional role. Current Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer is Alan Johnson.

Gang Knife Fish Chopper
What the job seems to be: With 3 out of the 4 words that are violence-related, the title makes you think of a truly violent job.
What it really is: The only non-violent word is fish which is what the job is all about. When the fish is being prepared for canning, a set of knives called the gang knife is used to slice fish into several pieces of predetermined length. Not so violent, eh?

Chief of Space Medicine
What the job seems to be: Sounds like a job in the outer space. Are they practicing medicine in space?
What it really is: It is actually the title of the head of the NASA Space Medicine Division whose mission is to optimize the health, fitness, and well being of flight crews and their dependents and employees of the Johnson Space Center in Texas, and the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico. The NASA’s chief of space medicine is Dr James Polk. That totally clears my running imagination, at least now I know that Dr. Polk is wearing a medical uniform and not a spacesuit.

Head of Strength
What the job seems to be: Makes you think of Incredible Hulk or the World’s Strongest Man. Or boss of those with superpower.
What it really is: Actually I am not that far-off from the actual responsibility of the Head of Strength. According to JobMonkey.com: The job is coaching, training and overseeing exercise and weight training for student-athletes, working with other trainers, coaches and the team physician to build strength, improve flexibility and help in rehabilitation from injuries. The Head of Strength and Conditioning usually works in the strength training and physical conditioning of student-athletes and sports teams. Take note that a Professional Strength and Conditioning Coaches can earn salaries in the range of $60,000 to $80,000.

Cake Stripper
What the job seems to be: The title is kind of ambiguous (or I just don’t want to think of the negative connotation of the word)
What it really is: A cake stripper actually operates a machine used in the cottonseed oil business. The cake comes from the fact that the machine is used to remove the wrapper from pressed cottonseed cake.

Flatcar Whacker
What the job seems to be: Sounds like a person who flattens or whacks a flatcar or the deck of the car.
What it really is: The flat whacker does not destroy or whack anything; in fact he inspects and repairs rail-type logging equipment, and repairs and replaces the flatcar attachments using hand tools.

Vibe Manager
What the job seems to be: Sounds like a manager who tells their clients how to chill.
What it really is: Vibe is defined as a feeling or flavor of the kind specified, so a vibe manager keeps the vibe or atmosphere that is in keeping or consistent with the hotel’s or restos’ identity. And yes, he or she makes sure that they continuously wow their clients.

If you think a job title would look good on your resume, take a closer look on its job description and make sure it’s apt to what you know and to your work experience. Yes, it might sound like a great job to have but not knowing what the job really requires may backfire on you.