is it wise to put on your Resume that you worked in a "multi-role environment"?

I recently got turned down for an interview for a position and they told me they were interested in a candidate with a scope that better focused on the position at hand.

For instance, I have a degree in Computer Information Systems. I used to work for an Environmental Testing company (for about 5+ years, then I got laid off). I started off working in their IT Department as an IT Support Specialist. I later got moved to their Data Reporting department in the role of a Data consolidation Specialist. Bottom line, I worked for the company for 5+ years, then I got laid off due to company cutbacks and departmental closings. Should I write on my Resume that I held a multi-role position? I thought this would be beneficial and would show my versatility and expansive knowledge base.

thoughts/opinions?

Hi stljoe1976,

Great question! The best approach depends on the specific job opportunity and person reviewing your resume. In many cases, it's a huge plus to have experience in multiple capacities -- especially for companies that are operating very lean and asking employees to handle varied roles/assignments. However, like you found, some employers prefer a certain amount of specialized experience.

I recommend reviewing job ads to get a good feel for what employers are looking for in their ideal candidates. You can then describe your diverse experience in a way that would appeal to the specific employer you're targeting. You will probably end up with more than one version of your resume, but your resume will be more successful if it addresses the employer's needs.

I hope this is helpful!