A STATEMENT FOR THE EVOLUTION OF THE RESUME
AND THE CREATION OF THE "WHY ME" DOCUMENT
Did you ever wonder when and how the first resume was created? Legend
tells that Leonardo DaVinci created the first professional resume in 1482.
The exact function for the creation, I'm not sure. Although historically
reference from 1482 shows Leonardo moving to Milan in the hope of
obtaining the patronage of the ruler of the city, Ludovico Sforza, also known
as Ludovico il Moro ("Ludovico the Moor" or "Ludovico the Dark") for his
swarthy features. Leonardo offered his services as a military engineer,
sculptor and painter. Ludovico accepted gladly, financing an independent
workshop for the artist. Leonardo would stay in Ludovico's service for 18
years. Wow, if that was the "purpose" of the first resume, what a read that
must have been to warrant 18 years of employ! One other important
historical dateline note here, note when the Printing Press was invented 1440, more about that a little later.
Since then, the traditional resume hasn’t changed all that much,
unfortunately:
Section 1: Name and Address
Section 2: Objective Statement
Section 3: Chronological Work History
Section 4: Education
Now, we in the human capital industry knowledge that there have been
some changes, especially since new technology allows for editing on a
minute to minute basis on any individual's home computer system. The
introduction of KEYWORDS in the body of the resume, to allow for computer
aided resume review programs to "key" into resume highlights. Many times
this appears at the beginning of a resume with the idea of a "human" reader
being captured at the beginning of the reading, other key words will simply
appear as a string of skill sets, knowledge or certifications at the very end of
the resume - words and phrases such as “C++, SQL, project management,
PMP, program management….”.
Realistically speaking these changes have only occurred over the last 20
years. Note again the timeline above, first computer 1936, first resume
database sometime between 1994 and 1995 (span of 58 years). With a
reported 65% of American homes having a computer in the home, it is not
outside the understanding of logical to see that the evolution of the resume
has arrived.
Understand that the first resumes were all type-set by printing presses. We
are not talking about the printers that we all know and love today that are
on every street corners - The Kinko's and "Mom's/Pop's alike. The printing
press began in approximately 1436, when Johannes Gutenberg partnered
with Andreas Dritzehen, a man he had previously instructed in gem-cutting.
This was movable type page setting using a press that was faster and more
durable. Printing presses had arrived and spread rapidly across Europe, and
into the Renaissance, and later around the world. Today, practically all
movable type printing ultimately derives from Gutenberg's movable type
printing, which is often regarded as the most important invention of the
second millennium. The sheer nature of the original printing press and the
expense made it cost prohibitive to "job-hop". I don't know for sure, but I
do believe that "White-Out" might have been invented by the first "jobhopper" as a way to cut his expenses each time he had a new resume drawn
up.
So what has Generation X and now Y brought to the proverbial table?
YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn bring us "full disclosure" and instant
access. It used to be that potential employers would ask a recruiter or HR, if
they have "seen" this individual or "do you have a picture"? Now all we
have to do is Google someone, to find that in fact they are all over social
media sites (sometimes a good thing, others not so much). Some resumes
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STATEMENT FOR THE EVOLUTION OF THE RESUME - WHY ME?
are even now showing up with a video link for either a YouTube posted Video
Resume, or some other professional created document residing on the
"Web".
This particular component of a resume is still in a vacillating state. Many
raise the legal issue of possible discrimination cases based on this "visual
aid" element of the hiring process. Future case precedent setting may end
up dictating the use of the visual. Although a recent survey of HR
departments for companies shows that a figure of about 64% of employers
admit that they would view such a video or have looked up a candidate online to see if they can locate a picture.
One interesting trend that we are seeing more of is the use of video
conferencing to conduct interviews. With today's economic times being what
they are, this can bring about cost savings for airfare, hotel and food
expenses, short of the actual hire. Additional savings are being realized in
staff to conduct the interview; when a decision might be made in the first 510 minutes of the video interview.
So, what is a candidate to do with all this new technology and the evolution
of "how to get hired"? Retain the basis of a resume - A resume needs to
represent a living, breathing document that presents human capital in a
format to show in resolute clarity the ROHM - Return on Hiring ME. What
does that look like, you may ask?
Well, as a living breathing human do you look the same each new day? Is
every hair on your head in the exact same place, as it was yesterday, or
even the day before? Are you in the same clothes; if you are, I hope you
had a great time last night, but be sure not to talk about it on Facebook or
Tweet about, because possible employers are watching you?! My point is
this, as a representative of human capital this document needs to reflect
accordingly. Do resumes, in your reading or creation of them ever scream
that to you? Or, does it seem as if the document that you are reviewing
could probably be used for any number of generic companies for the generic
jobs posted? If, this is what you are sending out there, or posting to job
boards, chances are pretty good that you are not getting much contact or
feedback on yourself as a potential candidate.
A "Why Me" document represents the eventual evolution of the antiquated
resume. As such, "why" you may be good for one position, company or
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STATEMENT FOR THE EVOLUTION OF THE RESUME - WHY ME?
even hiring authority; will most certainly not be the "why" that gets you
noticed by another. I know it is frustrating to time and time again be asked
by a headhunter or employment agency to yet again make changes to your
resume. Has anyone ever stopped to explain why it needs to be done, other
than the canned comments of "we need to reflect/highlight what they are
looking for in the position"? Each time your resume or the evolutionary
document "Why Me" goes out the door it is a representation of you and what
you bring to the table as a ROHM. Think of that as an opportunity for you to
shine, obviously what may "shine" for one, will not "shine" for all.
What does this look like...Just like I stated before, it is a living, breathing
document; treat it as such. When reviewing the job description, pick out
key components that will be required to succeed in the position. Highlight
on those components of your professional and/or personal experience that
would provide a feature, advantage and benefit (your ROHM). Do a some
research on the company (I know the internet can be a daunting beast some
times, but even a little bit of research will give you some return on your
investment of time). Find out some of their details, what has brought
success to the company over the last five years? Do you have applicable
skills that will translate to their continued success, or in the alternative
catapult them into success (again going back to your ROHM)?
Do you still need to put in the details of your professional career? Do you
think that Leonardo's resume just simply read "I think you should hire me
for military engineer, sculptor and painter"? Based upon his tenure with
Ludovico Sforza, I am sure there were some details involved about his
professional credentials. Yes, you still need details - your vitals/best contact
information; employment history (specifically, who, what and when);
education and possibly other pertinent details, such as organizational
memberships, etc. All the stuff in between represents the selling of human
capital and the "Why Me" factor.
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STATEMENT FOR THE EVOLUTION OF THE RESUME - WHY ME?