The hiring manager looked at the stack of resumes the recruiter brought over, an imposing pile that hinted at the intense competition for the role. Right away, something about the resume on top caught his eye—the formatting was clean, with clear section headers and concise bullet points, and there was a sense of confidence in how the achievements were presented. The use of assertive language and specific metrics made the resume stand out instantly. It demanded a closer look. He couldn't help but feel a mix of curiosity and weariness—how many of these would truly stand out? He leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing slightly as he scanned the resume.
The first thing that struck him was the listing of achievements that spanned both engineering and art—particularly their uniqueness and relevance to the role. For example, the engineering projects showcased innovative approaches to municipal infrastructure, while the art pieces were not just technically impressive but also served public purposes, such as murals that celebrated local culture. Each accomplishment was clearly tied to solving real-world challenges. The opening line was direct yet compelling, immediately stating his expertise in merging these two disciplines. His language was assertive, using phrases like 'groundbreaking designs' and 'visionary solutions,' which conveyed a sense of authority and ambition. A bold phrase jumped out to him: "pushing the boundaries of what is possible."
"Flying machines, eh?" the manager muttered, chuckling under his breath. The bold claim piqued his curiosity—sometimes it was this kind of audacity, backed by examples, that made an applicant truly stand out. He could feel his skepticism giving way to curiosity, wondering if this applicant could really live up to the promise. The bold claim about designing 'flying machines' was immediately followed by detailed sketches and engineering notes, which demonstrated a clear understanding of aerodynamics—proof that backed up the audacity. "This guy has guts, I'll give him that."
"Okay, okay... let’s see who you are," the manager said, looking at the top of the page, where the name was in bold Times New Roman font.
"Leonardo da Vinci."
Okay, so maybe this exact scene didn’t happen—but the truth isn't far off. In 1482, Leonardo da Vinci really did send what many art historians consider to be one of the first resumes to Duke Ludovico Sforza.
Imagine one of the greatest geniuses in history pitching himself for a job—just like the rest of us.
The Evolution of Resumes
Da Vinci’s bold approach to landing a job might feel like ancient history (because, well, it is). But 500 years later, the core of what made his pitch work—balancing creativity and practicality—still holds up. Just like da Vinci showcased his genius to solve real-world problems, your resume has to do the same. It’s not just a list of jobs; it’s your story, your pitch, your shot at standing out.
So let’s break it down: the practical and the creative resume. Nail both, and you’ve got a masterpiece worthy of the modern job market.
The Practical Resume
Resume Length
The appropriate length of your resume depends on your career stage. For recent graduates, a shorter resume is likely sufficient. However, for someone with more extensive experience, a longer resume is likely necessary.
Ultimately, the length of your resume should be guided by its ability to effectively convey your qualifications without losing the reader’s attention.
The Inverted Pyramid Approach
The Inverted Pyramid approach is used in journalism and it means putting the most interesting and relevant information at the top. For resumes then it's your professional summary that should immediately grab attention. If your lead does not spark interest, the rest of the resume will likely go unread regardless of the length.
Avoid generic summaries such as: 'Hardworking professional seeking a challenging position to utilize my skills.' Instead, make it compelling by focusing on specific achievements and experiences that set you apart. For example, use something like: 'Innovative mechanical engineer with 10+ years of experience designing heart pumps for cardiac surgery, with a proven track record of leading design teams in a Class II Medical Device company.'
Know Your Audience
Who is likely to read your resume first? This can often depend on the size of the company.
At large companies, resumes are often reviewed first by an early-career recruiter. They are focused on quick screenings and ensuring alignment with job requirements, so use straightforward language and avoid jargon.
At smaller companies, resumes might be reviewed directly by experienced recruiters or hiring managers. These readers will be more interested in how your accomplishments demonstrate your alignment with company culture and your potential contributions.
Tailor your resume accordingly, emphasizing different aspects of your experience based on whether it will be screened by an ATS or reviewed directly by a recruiter.
For those that are interested, here is a ChatGPT (or your LLM of choice) prompt to try:
"Act as a recruiter for [industry/role]. Review this resume and suggest improvements to make it stand out to both ATS and hiring managers." (Upload your resume prior to writing this prompt.)
The Creative Resume
Today's job seekers face a unique challenge—crafting resumes that tell a compelling story while also meeting algorithmic expectations of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). To do this effectively, resumes must strike a balance between creativity and keyword optimization.
Creativity helps your resume stand out to hiring managers, but keywords are crucial to make it through ATS filters.
Choosing the Right Keywords
When choosing keywords, it's crucial to prioritize relevance. Use terms that directly relate to the job description to increase ATS compatibility.
Avoid outdated or overly obscure phrases that may not resonate well with either ATS systems or hiring managers.
Carefully analyze the job description and make sure the keywords align with the skills and experience being sought.
Timeless Lessons from da Vinci
Despite all the changes to resumes, the core principles that made da Vinci's approach effective still apply today. Job seekers should:
Be Bold, but Substantive: Like da Vinci, don't be afraid to push boundaries and showcase what makes you unique. Bold claims can grab attention—just make sure you have the data to back them up.
Feeling bold? Here’s a way to test your resume’s impact with AI using ChatGPT or any LLM.
"Imagine you're Leonardo da Vinci applying for [job role]. Rewrite my resume summary using bold language and assertive phrasing that captures attention instantly." (Upload your resume summary prior to writing this prompt.)
Tell a Story: da Vinci didn’t just list his skills; he framed them within a narrative that showcased both breadth and depth. Modern job seekers can do the same by highlighting how their experiences interconnect, painting a picture of what they bring to the table.
Balance Creativity with Practicality: Today’s resumes need to be creative enough to stand out, but also practical enough to pass ATS systems and meet recruiters' and hiring managers' expectations.
Resumes have come a long way since da Vinci's handwritten letter to Ludovico Sforza. Yet, at their core, they remain the ultimate pitch—your chance to capture attention, tell your story, and land that first meeting.
So, ask yourself:
Is my resume bold enough to make them pause? (Did you try the prompt?)
Does it tell a compelling story that connects my skills and experiences to the challenges of the role?
Have I balanced creativity with the practical demands of modern hiring systems?
The answers to these questions might be the difference between your resume being another piece of paper on the pile—or the one that makes the hiring manager say, "Now, this is someone I need to meet."
Leonardo da Vinci’s resume wasn’t perfect, but it worked. Yours doesn’t have to be perfect either—it just has to work. So go ahead: channel your inner da Vinci, craft your masterpiece, and show the world how you’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.