Career Forums

We have all heard the term "Jack-Of-All-Trades" and "Master-Of-None"….when in actuality a person may be a "Jack-Of-All-Trades" and "Master-Of-All”.

Long ago, they used to have specific people for specific tasks: Operations, JCL Specialists, Tape Librarians, Programmers, Senior Programmers, Programmer Analysts, Senior Programmer Analysts, Data Base Administrator…etc. and they eventually merged into single positions. It is not uncommon for me to go somewhere and Analyze a problem, write some new program that requires a new database table or key….and then go create a table or some index or view…create the JCL/CLP to run the program, set it up in the scheduler, train the users...etc….then back everything up to tape….total project ownership from start to finish.

In today's economy…during the last few contracts, interviews and talking to some consultant friends around the country, we have seen a trend where the employer wants someone who can do a combination of positions....Like PM and BSA…several even wanted someone who can take projects independently from concept through deployment and training…I guess they don’t want to pay for multiple people to do specific stuff….they wanted someone who could jump into any phase of the SDLC (or what every they were using) and continue on.

OK, no problem, I done this stuff for over 25 years and sometimes when projects ran into a bump and it needed to get back on track, I’ve changed my Hat from a PM to BSA, Coder, Facilitator, Trainer, wrote developer work packages, etc. …whatever role I needed to play to get things done. So, I am basically a project “Jack-Of-All-Trades” but also a Specialist in what role I’m playing at any given time.

I’d like to market myself as that “Jack-Of-All-Trades / Specialist” without limiting myself or having a long resume title as “PM / BSA / Developer / QA / Implementer / Trainer…What Have You”.

If I put “PM / BSA” I get questioned if I can do Coding or DBA stuff…because there are many PM’s out there without a Technical Background. How about writing QA scripts, Configuration Management, Technical Writing.

Also, I don’t want to put a generic Boiler Plate list of stuff on my resume that just about everyone has…and no one reads because it is so common to see....in an attempt to cover multiple bases

Now, I’ve asked this a while back, but I’ll ask it again now. Are there any new, emerging or fancy titles out there to handle these combined “Jack-Of-All-Trade / Specialist” positions ???

Oh, and that "Jack-Of-All-Trades" pays off...especially when your PM Contract ends but you can slide into a Developer position on another project....then move into a BA Role somewhere else.....you are still working while the others are gone.

Thanks

NitWitNick

"As a "serial contractor" when my contract finishes, I just morph into another role and continue the gig."

Yes, I had a couple contracts that lasted almost 4 years by changing roles.

Anyway, I've seen "Generalist" being used.....like they call someone an "HR Generalist"

I also saw an ad like this: "Looking for a Database Administrator / Developer, Project Manager, and Application Developer a true "Jack of All Trades" in a wide variety of business applications".

I guess you might be right though....taylor your resume as a specialist to get your foot in the door, then expand your role once inside.