I know this article isn't about the content of your resume, but is your experience as a BSA camp counselor relevant programming or design work?
Very few employers will understand that being Nature Director likely meant you were an Environmental Science counselor and that that badge was one of the more difficult interesting ones likely offered at the camp. Are there benefits to signaling that you are part of a large organization like Scouting or a similar (generally) well regarded national organization like this? is it worth mentioning on the off chance your employer was also a Boy Scout?
What do other people think, is there a good general rule for where to stop including older work experience?
If you're putting one resume online and you can't tailor it to one job you're applying for, do you tailor it for the job you wish you had? What do you do differently for your general resume?
I hire people, not "programmers", or "managers", or "administrative assistants". From my perspective as an employer, his BSA experience is relevant to any job. I'm very interested in aspects of my employees' personalities as well as their specific job-related performance. Listing his BSA experience reflects his values and experiences outside of work. These are the things that shape who we are, and I want to know who I'm hiring.
So funny enough, at my last two interviews, both of my interviewers were ex-Boy Scouts. It's a job I can talk a lot about and since I did it for four years, really affected the kind of worker I am.
I suppose that's one way it might go. Another is running into someone who is informed about the BSA's legal discrimination against atheists and gays. So some may see it and think of your character being "Christian bigot". Unlikely, I think. It may have no effect, but I think it's worth consideration.
I screen lots of resumes in hiring game programmers. Personally, it wouldn't bother me. Then again, it wouldn't help you either, because I need to know about your skills and experience. I'll figure out if you're an a-hole or a nice guy / team player on the phone, and finally in-person.
Very few employers will understand that being Nature Director likely meant you were an Environmental Science counselor and that that badge was one of the more difficult interesting ones likely offered at the camp. Are there benefits to signaling that you are part of a large organization like Scouting or a similar (generally) well regarded national organization like this? is it worth mentioning on the off chance your employer was also a Boy Scout?
What do other people think, is there a good general rule for where to stop including older work experience?
If you're putting one resume online and you can't tailor it to one job you're applying for, do you tailor it for the job you wish you had? What do you do differently for your general resume?