Copying Da Vinci – the First Resume

Did you know that Leonardo Da Vinci wrote the first resume in 1482? Indeed, it looked nothing like the ones we use today, but just like its contemporary counterparts, it was meant to be a marketing tool. It was a letter showcasing Da Vinci’s capacity to create weapons for the Duke of Milan – Ludovico Sforza. Da Vinci was a genius, and this Renaissance man understood the power of selling his accomplishments in written form. Not only did the duke hire Da Vinci to create weapons, but he also commissioned him to do the famous “Last Supper.” If you are curious about this first resume, take a look here: First Resume by Leonardo Da Vinci:

Not only did Leonardo outline his skills and achievements, but he discussed how his work would benefit his potential employer. He really seemed to understand Sforza’s pain points, and carefully addressed solutions. He spoke not about his artistic talents, but instead chose to focus on his engineering and architectural skills to make him the obvious choice to help the Duke of Milan during times of peace and war.

He artfully laid out the solutions to Sforza’s problems, so that the latter could visualize Da Vinci’s solutions, and he bought it hook, line and sinker.
This method of resume writing, although a bit unorthodox, can be used today when a job seeker wants to stand out from the crowd and dare to be different. For example, my writing coach, John Suarez, who teaches the Fundamentals of Resume Writing at PARWCC (The Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches), wrote on for such a client who wanted to work for a local newspaper but did not have the traditional journalism background. Rather than tell a prospective employer about his skills, he showed them in the form of a newspaper article. This cleverly showcased his skills without getting into gaps in employment and lack of a journalism degree. Following is a sample of such an article:

If you want to be unique and different from the rest, give it a try. Before sending the article, however, make sure that it is formatted correctly and that there are no spelling errors. It’s a good idea to have another pair of eyes look it over – maybe a friend or family member. You can also get help from software such as Grammarly.

If in doubt – Seek Professional Assistance

If you are in doubt of how to proceed, I am happy to help you. You can hire me on Upwork: https://www.upwork.com/services/product/a-cover-letter-customized-for-a-specific-job-or-purpose-1424851361213628416. If you choose this option, I would first interview you and then write a draft after viewing your resume and the job description. I can help you with resumes, LinkedIn Profile Optimization, Interview Preparation, and many other elements of the job search and career strategy.

You can also find me on Transformations 123: https://transformations123.com/