Your Resume is a War Machine
I receive resumes every week, and often give me a carotid artery collapse. Colleagues, students, recent graduates, job candidates, and people looking for feedback all agree on the difficulty of effectively expressing their experience, accomplishments, and professional vision: why is it so hard for us to write a great resume?
It happened to me, so I went to Bravado consulting firm to improve my resume and gave its founder, Roberto Debayle, a carotid artery collapse. Since then, I have learned a thing or two about how to turn your CV into a real war machine.
A few months ago, the firm Dalia Empower called me to design an online course with complete creative freedom. I accepted the challenge, and with the help of the extraordinary production team, we created an e-class to make the resume what it should be, that is, to pave the way to the job you want to conquer.
To give the course a storyline, I researched the first resume in history, Leonardo Da Vinci’s. He sent a letter 1481 to Ludovico Sforza, his patron for the following years. So, we know that the VC was influential; what else can we learn from this document? Let’s take a look:
“Having now, most illustrious sir, sufficiently seen the specimens of all those who are considered masters of instruments of war and that the invention and operation of such mechanisms do not differ from those in everyday use, I will now endeavor, without offending anyone, to explain myself before your Excellency, by revealing to your Lordship my secrets, and then offering them to your pleasure and approval, so that I may work them with effect at the proper time, as well as all those things which will be briefly noted in part below.
“I have the kind of bridges which are incredibly light and strong, made to be carried with great ease, and with which one can pursue the enemy and flee from him at any time; and there are others which are safe, indestructible by fire and battle, easy and convenient to erect and establish; and also methods of burning and destroying those of the enemy.
I know how to remove the water from the trenches when a place is under attack and how to make an infinite variety of bridges, covered roads, ladders, and other machines belonging to such expedients.
“If, when besieging a place, it is impossible to follow a plan of bombardment, owing to the height of the banks or the strength of the site and its position, I have methods of destroying any castle or other fortress, even if it is built on rock, etc.
“I also have other kinds of mortars, which are very convenient and easy to carry and with which small stones can be thrown, creating the effect of a storm, and the smoke produced will strike terror into the hearts of the enemy, to their great detriment and confusion.
“And if it should be a naval battle, I have many machines that are very efficient for offense and defense; I also have ships that can withstand the attack of massive guns, gunpowder, and smoke.
“I also have means that do not make any noise to reach a particular area through mines and secret and circuitous roads, even if they have to pass under a trench or a river.
“I will make covered wagons, safe and impregnable, which can penetrate the enemy with their artillery, and there is no body of men strong enough to prevent them from breaking through. And behind them, the infantry could advance unharmed and unhindered.
“In case of necessity, I will manufacture large guns, mortars, and light artillery of pleasing and functional forms that are out of the ordinary. Should the bombardment fail, I would design catapults, mangonels, fundíbolos, and other machines of marvelous efficiency and unusual. In short, I can create various and infinite means of attack and defense according to each case.
“In times of peace, I can give perfect satisfaction equal to any other in the architecture and construction of buildings, public and private, and in directing water from one place to another.
“I can do sculpture in marble, bronze, or clay; in painting, I do the best that can be done, as well as anyone else, whoever he may be.
“Moreover, the bronze horse may be collected, which will be to the immortal glory and eternal honor of the happy memory of the Prince, your father, and the illustrious House of Sforza. And suppose any of the above should seem impossible or impracticable. In that case, I am more than willing to try the experiment in your park or any place that may please your Excellency, to whom I commend myself with the most incredible humility, etc.
“You may also take in hand the bronze horse, which shall be to the immortal glory and eternal honor of the Prince, your father of happy memory, and the illustrious House of Sforza.
“And if any of the above should seem impossible or impracticable, I am very willing to experiment in your park or such place as shall please your Excellency, to whom I address myself with the greatest humility, etc.”
Learning from Da Vinci’s Resume
Here are some attributes that should be included in a strong resume:
Strategic and Tactical Approach. The summary should outline the experience (what you have already done) and point to what you will do about a goal. Da Vinci lays out various scenarios (“If this happens, I will do that”) that may not fit into today’s resume but do fit into the letter of intent that some employers often request.
Brevity. As Augusto Monterroso said, “What is good if brief, is twice as good,” so the resume should be compact but include links to illustrate the candidate’s knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
Tailor the narrative to the job. Da Vinci did not skimp on his skills, proving that many of his promises to the Sforza needed to be fulfilled. This is not about blogging but about tailoring the resume to the job, highlighting the attributes that can add value to the organization you want to work with.
No photo. Unless you live by your face, the resume does not have a picture; how often do I repeat it? Be suspicious if you are asked for a resume with a photo and will not model. You have a right to privacy and to be hired for your talent, not because of your face.
It is well written. Use your word processor’s spell checker and have someone you trust check your résumé before you send it.
There is something that Leonardo’s resume does not have, and it is crucial in these times: the quali-quantitative expression of achievements. That’s something I learned thanks to Bravado. The job description should be followed by measurable achievements that support your ability to improve the products, processes, organizational forms, or marketing forms of the organizations you have worked for. Did you create a new protocol, did you increase profits, did you improve team performance? Did you generate creative assets? Please put it on the resume!
Da Vinci’s resume does not refer to his training in Andrea del Verrocchio’s workshop. Make sure you get it right and include information about your studies! It should be presented in retrospective order, and continuing education courses (including institution and the number of hours) should also be included in a specific section of courses and certifications, as keeping up to date is as important as higher education and even more relevant in particular contexts.
Information about your hobbies, awards, and associations you belong also provides clues about who you are and what you have to offer, so include these details.
Finally, remember that the resume should have an updated mirror on LinkedIn, and that’s where my artery collapsed when I realized that you still have this task holding on due to lack of time or interest. Even if you’re not considering changing jobs, take a lesson from Da Vinci and turn your resume into a war machine.
Come on, sweet creature! What are you waiting for?
