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Resumes: History and Future

We've been using the same concepts in a different view/skin for hundreds of years. We have to evolve to stand out. The more we work to evolve it rather than have the systems do it for us, the more control we have over our stories.


History of Resumes

  1. Ancient-ish Beginnings (15th Century):

    • The concept of a résumé is believed to have originated with Leonardo da Vinci in 1482. He wrote a letter to the Duke of Milan outlining his skills and experiences, effectively creating one of the first recorded resumes.

    • This early form was more of a personal introduction letter than the structured resumes we know today.

  2. Expansion in the 20th Century:

    • In the early 1900s, resumes became more common as workers increasingly moved between employers during industrialization.

    • By the 1950s, resumes had become formalized documents, including details such as education, skills, and hobbies.

    • The advent of the typewriter and carbon paper helped standardize resume creation and distribution. People sent them in the mail, stamps and all. It was wild.

  3. Digital Revolution (1980s–1990s):

    • With the rise of personal computers, resumes transitioned from typewritten documents to digital files.

    • Word processors like Microsoft Word made it easier to format and edit resumes. Somewhat.

    • The introduction of email allowed job seekers to send resumes electronically, significantly speeding up job applications. Sort of, as soon as that happened companies decided everyone could put info into their own platforms, which slowed things down again.

  4. Modern Era (2000s–2020s):

    • Online platforms such as LinkedIn revolutionized the way professionals present their resumes, making them searchable and interactive. But then people still have to have an old school resume format, still cut and paste them into a platform specific to a company. This just made things faster to increase the breadth of which the resumes could reach.

    • Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) became prevalent, requiring resumes to be optimized with keywords to pass automated filters.

    • Creative formats, such as video resumes, infographics, and portfolios, became popular in specific industries like design and marketing.


The Future of Resumes

Being on the trend of change and doing things differently is absolutely a way to get noticed. Approaching ways to show off your skills within a resume will get more interesting.


  1. Interactive and AI-Powered Resumes:

    • Resumes may evolve into dynamic, interactive profiles that adapt based on the viewer's preferences.

    • We are already seeing AI tools that analyse job postings and automatically customize resumes for applicants, emphasizing the most relevant skills and experiences. However this should be taken with a grain of salt, so many people are doing it, at some point AI-powered resumes will be sleuthed out in systems and looked down upon.

  2. Focus on Skills Over Roles:

    • As the gig economy grows, resumes may shift focus from job titles and durations to specific skillsets and project accomplishments. We're hoping on this, as role-based hiring is broken.

  3. Immersive and Virtual Reality Presentations:

    • Resumes might incorporate augmented or virtual reality elements, allowing candidates to showcase their work or skills in 3D or virtual environments.

  4. End of Traditional Resumes?:

    • The concept of standalone resumes may fade as comprehensive, continuously updated digital professional profiles hosted on platforms like LinkedIn or niche industry-specific databases become the norm. We'll see as time goes on, it really depends on how quickly various industries shift. Some might be faster than others, or skill groupings.

    • AI-driven platforms may take over, matching candidates with jobs based on holistic profiles, including work samples, assessments, and peer endorsements.


Here are some examples I've seen and helped people with:

  • Marta was seeking a job and made a viral video that showed off her product marketing skills.

  • Some people working in Marketing, for example, use the tools they use to make portfolio websites. Tools like HubSpot, Wix, etc. Others working in data or even accounting use Tableau or Google Sheets to make a resume in a creative way, showing what they know.


Want to think of creative ways to make a resume in a tool you use for work? Want to really have fun making it, show off your skills and show your genuine nerdery? Ask me!


 
 
 

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