Should I include an old unrelated degree on my resume?

by Doug
(Calgary, Alberta)

I received my law degree 20 years ago, but have gone back to school and obtained a human services diploma to work as a community worker with new immigrants. Should I include my law degree on my resume?

ANSWER: Work experience on a resume generally only goes back 10 to 15 years, but when it comes to education, I think the more you can show you have, the better, unless you're applying for an entry level job or something. Think about transferable skills, however, when starting in a new profession. I would think knowledge of the law, however distant, might be an asset in the kind of position you describe.