The Evolution of Resume Forms: From Da Vinci to YouTube

Resumes have definitely gone a long way from being a simple piece of paper. Today, it has evolved to be one of the most important instruments to achieve economic and financial success, as well as to establish surmountable career opportunities and build significant progress. But do you ever wonder how they started and how they evolved through the years? Well, let's travel back in time and see how it all began and where it all goes.

"Hello, My Name is Leonardo Da Vinci."

According to records, application documents began with the man of Renaissance himself, Leonardo Da Vinci. It was in 1482 when 30-year-old Da Vinci wrote the first-ever resume in history to Ludovico il Moro, the Duke of Milan.

In the handwritten document, which looks more of a cover letter than an application, Da Vinci enumerated his long list of talents and capabilities. However, unlike modern application documets that present previous work experiences, his application was not inclusive of any detail about his major works and accomplishments. Instead it is focused on his present skills and the ways by which he can help the Duke fortify his territory's capacities.

Soon after Da Vinci made the first application manuscript in history, a wandering Lord in England follows up with his own version of application documents in 1500. In the said account, the Noble distributes a hand-written letter of introduction among his acquaintances and tags it his copy.

Resume Forms Enter the Mainstream

Since the existence of old-age application documents in the early years, resumes then started to become a norm among many organizations. Sources state that between 1930 and 1940, application documents are merely formalities that are normally placed on scraps of paper over lunch with employers. They are also like autographs that comprise of information about the applicant's personal information such as age, weight, height, sex, marital-status, and religion.

During the 1950's, however, the presence of such documents began to be a requirement among most companies or employers. It also started to include other information such as the aspirant's interests and member organizations.

Resume Forms Go Digital

Simultaneous with the progress of technology in the 1970's, application documents also progressed and went through major upgrade. Handwritten applications were immediately replaced with more professional copies that are either created via digital typesetting or word processors. Beginning 1980, the first VHS-type of resume was also released following the publication of books and other resources related to writing and career counseling.

Besides the improved process of making the documents, the way of sending the applications also revolutionized with the advent of fax machines in 1987. Since then, applicants were given the choice to either send their applications in person or submit them electronically.

The Age of World Wide Web

Trailing the advancement of technology, resumes soon entered the Information Age with the advent of electronic mails or e-mails. Several web sites were also founded opening doors to a brand new method of sharing and forwarding applications to employers.

Speaking of innovations, the entrance of LinkedIn in 2003 also offered a new approach in presenting information to prospective companies. Application documents were no longer confined in papers but have transformed in a form of a web profile, which can be viewed by companies connected to the site. Similarly, documents were also developed into videos and have been found effective by some applicants and employers. Introductory videos were created and posted in YouTube, which has been a well-known site for sharing videos.

Truly, resume forms have gone a long way from being just a simple parchment handed over by a great painter to a distinguished monarch. Today it has transformed to become a more effective tool to accomplish goals, enter the workforce, and reach greater heights. Amidst all the changes, however, nothing changes. Application documents will always serve its original purpose and that is to get us all a job. Hence, whatever the look of our application documents becomes in the future, it should only be more effective and better than the previous.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/resumes-articles/the-evolution-of-resume-forms-from-da-vinci-to-youtube-5741905.html

About the Author

Author: Kate Ross-Myers

Kate Ross-Myers works for a New-York based human resources magazine. She has a broad experience in preparing resource materials on hiring, recruitment, and training. Kate also speaks on forums and conventions on employee wellness and growth.