Ad – Amazon Networking Products
Upon reviewing my resume and thinking about recent job interviews, does it matter in a technically relevant field to mention over twenty years of experience in Information Technology? Is the Token Ring (I know you are giggling) to Ethernet replacement project I managed or the Novell NetWare server clusters I installed over twenty years ago relevant today? The technology isn’t but what they have in common is managing and executing the project. As a manager, and if I were hiring someone in this case, of course, I would overlook the technology, but I would ask about the project and the outcome.
How much of the past should be mentioned in an interview and on a resume in a technically relevant industry?
An article based on this question directed at multiple hiring managers would go a long way for many who have been in the field for many years, like me. Maybe a LinkedIn poll targeted recruiters and hiring managers asking this question?
Most of the current technologies I have experience with and or a certification span maybe six or seven years. Should I only cover the past ten years and not twenty if I round up? Many job applications ask for the previous three employers, or ten years whichever is greater.
As I mentioned in previous articles, I’m returning to a more technical role, and based on job descriptions and interviews, relevance is essential. I was asked how I keep informed of new products and technologies in a few interviews. I answered, “with hobbies and professionally, I pay attention to advertisements in magazines or on web pages,” for example, go to networkworld.com and check the ads (adblocker disabled).
I receive many emails from vendors, as I’m sure many of you do, and once a week, I take time to review them, as many are for product webinars or demos. Recently one email was for a webinar I attended and found it productive as I learned new features in Palo Alto Networks firewalls’ latest update and new services. It turned out to be a diamond in the rough.
While on the subject, a few years ago at one employer, we shut down our last NetWare server. This server was up continually for over 12 years, which speaks highly of the hardware and power backup. Is properly shutting down this server relevant?
Conclusion
I’ve learned a lot about technology, processes, and products, encountered many situations, overcame challenges, and met many people over twenty years. All of this has contributed to my success with technology solutions, teamwork, and certifications, to name a few.
I’m proud of those years, so I’ll continue to mention my over twenty years of experience unless convinced otherwise.
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