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IT recruiters I've talked with want to know what I do best. The simple answer is I do whatever needs to be done. I am proficient in several programming languages, and I have 20 years' networking experience. I'm good at identifying and solving multiple platform problems, dealing with customers and doing project management. What should I call myself, and should I claim to have a specialty?

Needs a Niche

Dear Niche:

I posed your question to Tony Arendt, HR manager at Neohapsis, a Network Computing partner lab. Says Tony: "I have just one word to the wise: customize."

It takes time to tailor your résumé for each job application, he acknowledges, but it's worth the effort. By highlighting relevant skills, you may catch a potential employer's eye. Then, during the interview, you can dazzle him or her with your fluency in other computer languages and environments as appropriate.

Tony adds that it's smart to include a breakout of your hardware and software expertise, so the person reading your résumé can scan the list. But highlighting too narrow a specialization can be risky, he warns, because technology changes quickly; instead, play up your ability to adapt--which could save the company precious training time and money.

I'm facing a career change, from an IT operations job in the U.S. Navy to the civilian sector. In preparation, I started Cisco Networking Academy on the CCNA curriculum. How do I focus my 25 years' experience in leadership and management to my advantage with only entry-level certification?

CCNA Ahoy

Dear Ahoy:

I also transitioned from a military stint and got my first civilian job in the publishing field--over applicants with more writing experience--thanks to my military-supplied expertise with an arcane piece of Compugraphic equipment.

I posed your question to Alan Anderson, vice president of consulting services with The Lytle Group. He says the transition from the military to the civilian work force can be frustrating because the leadership ability you've acquired is not always needed or valued to the degree it was in the military.

Highlight your leadership experience by creating a brief synopsis at the front of your résumé. Although this isn't a substitute for technical knowledge or certification, it may capture the interest of an employer with needs in those areas who might not otherwise recognize what you have to offer.

A great site for those in transition is Military.com's Careers section, and you'll find specific résumé tips at The Damn Good Resumé.

Send your questions to careercoach@nwc.com