General Rules:

  • Job titles are not capitalized unless they are used as formal titles before a person’s name. 
  • When not used as a formal title before a name, job titles serve as occupational/job descriptions and are lowercase.

Correct Examples: 

  • President Obama gave his second inaugural address.
  • The secretary of state heads the U.S. State Department.
  • The guest list includes actor Brad Pitt and professional chef Rachael Ray.
  • Consider working as a human resources manager.


Incorrect Examples:  

  • The President gave his second inaugural address.
  • Secretary of state John Kerry took office after Hillary Clinton.
  • Steve Jobs retired as Apple’s Chief Executive Officer in 2011.
  • The current Pope is unlikely to retire.