I have an interest in a job that requires Big 5 experience and although I have not worked for one of the Big 5 companies, I know I have the experience required during my career working for other companies. Should I submit my resume?

First, yes you should submit your resume! It does not have to be big 5 experience that an individual must have to have gained a solid background of success and experiences that can be applied throughout the IT industry. Many of us who have worked in aerospace and government for many years did not hear much about the Big 5 until we got involved with the commercial information technology environment. We sure have worked in environments of technology, engineering and research and development successfully. And in some regards the importance of doing the job right, and a quality job, was based on or reinforced because lives and safety were strong success factors. Although Big 5 no doubt gives you plenty of experience and auditing, etc., other environments and industries also provide a good foundation  and success in management, systems development, reviewing and auditing. But realize that the accounting and auditing environment moved into the IT consulting and auditing information systems environment while many of us were managing systems and technology and engineering projects. Instead of asking the prospects or candidates about Big 5 experience, I would think they would be asking and giving some weight to a certain amount of experience, success and level of complexity in the areas that experience was gained in.

So submit that resume!

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