The Modern History of the Resume [INFOGRAPHIC]

The role of the resume has remained constant throughout its 500 years of existence — the point of the resume is to get an interview, in hopes of finally landing a job.

Relative to other forms of communication, though, it hasn’t changed all that much. In fact, most of the changes have been merely cosmetic — most employers still require a one-sheet, black-and-white printed resume at interviews, regardless of the fact that we all use email and have had access to much better design options for years now. Not to mention, printing is unnecessary in the digital world we live in. At this point, even the role of cover letters in today’s job market is being scrutinized.

The proliferation of digital and social tools over the past decade has brought about the social media resume, the infographic resume and the video resume, among other creative options.

This infographic, created by RezScore, an online resume-grading tool, looks at the history of the resume.

Do you plan to change your approach to resume writing? Let us know in the comments below, and share your creative resume while you’re at it.


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40 Comments


  1. I have acknowledged these cultural changes in my latest resume, which the curious can peruse here: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/313565/Michael_E_Gruen_2011.pdf

    Pay special attention to the first words of said resume.


  2. I agree. In times such as these, it definitely pays to be different. I too bagged a job via my Slidedeck Resume. Believe me, I had like ‘many’ options to choose, and the best part is that one is not geographically bounded. :)

    Check out my Visual Resume here: http://www.slideshare.net/saadahmedshaikh/visual-resume-saad-ahmed-shaikh


  3. I agree. In times such as these, it definitely pays to be different. I too bagged a job via my Slidedeck Resume. Believe me, I had like ‘many’ options to choose, and the best part is that one is not geographically bounded. :)

    Check out my Visual Resume here: http://www.slideshare.net/saadahmedshaikh/visual-resume-saad-ahmed-shaikh

    Let me know what you think! :)


  4. We think that we have a good idea of where the resume is going next at http://Path.To. We think it is about expressing yourself in a professional way and getting meaningful endorsements on the skills you feel best represent you. Personal branding is the best way to promote your individuality in this highly competitive employment environment. Great infographic, I have been in this space for a while and I am excited about where it is headed.



  5. I design these and many of mine have been featured on Mashable. Check out http://haganblount.com/portfolio

    Cheers!


  6. Technically wouldn’t the english lord have called his resume a CV (or curriculum vitae) as they’re called in England?




  7. Cool! Da Vinci wrote the world’s 1st resume.


  8. Its not about the resume. Ever. When they call five people in for interview, all are good for it on paper. (or infographic, or video, or whatever bells and whistles you attach) Its about whether the face fits.



  9. Social media makes everything easy and enjoyable. ;)


  10. I guess all awesome “resume makers” are in good company if da Vinci was its pioneer. Can’t wait to make mine.


  11. All respect to da Vinci but wouldn’t a proof of nobility document kind of be considered a resume. It highlights at least one reason (usually more) why someone should be given a position/job of honour. They were around well before da Vinci too.


  12. erica – a most unusual subject and interestingly presented. keep ‘em rolling. cheers.




  13. Just a little tidbit, resume (imagine fancy accents on both of the e’s), means summarised in French. Voila. Our travelling lord may have been a francophile.


  14. I have made mine on prezi, seemed like a good way to incorporate my design, video and online efforts into one “document” there is an added bonus because document links are printable. I figure any organisation that doesn’t appreciate a digital resume and rejects my application because it isn’t traditional is not somewhere I want to work.


  15. What an inspiring article! My new-age resume is my online presence (website, twitter and LinkedIn). Maybe I should add “Google” as one of my references on my hard copy CV…


  16. IMO, I think that the personal domain names are the next step of showing off your experience and interests http://www.nikola-nikolov.com/


  17. http://www.nojoshmo.com is a resume’ site like no other – offering the traditional resume as well as the opportunity to aggregate all your professional achievements in video, audio, slides, images and documents.

    You also get your own personalised url that you can use to bring potential employers back into your professional showcase. Its pretty cool!



  18. the graphic design and tech folks have their heads in the clouds with some of this. Weeding through 500 resumes you only want to check a couple areas – maybe education and experience. The rest is just fluff and largely annoying until you’ve narrowed your field. Save the cutesy videos and hipster graphics for your second round review when it might actually be appreciated.



  19. Fun infographic, there is definitely a mindset shift taking place about how we recruit and market ourselves. Some industries may still prefer the pdf, but theres alot of employers out there that want to see the wider person (thats why they Google you). New services like Zerply help you to present a fuller picture of who you are.


  20. I have taken a different approach – a blog that reflects my skills and aspirations, which includes a separate menu item titled, “My Resume”. The “My Resume” link/menu item is for employers (and anyone else for that matter) to obtain my resume at anytime without having to ask for it. The purpose of my blog, http://richardlabella.com, focuses on past and current career achievements, what my goals are, what I’m passionate about, and some personal attributes about my character – my passion for guitar, leadership, writing, public speaking and continued education. I believe that by publishing our resumes on a blog or web site is an excellent way for employers to gain a better sense of how we might fit into the business professionally and culturally.


  21. “Da Vinci wrote the world’s 1st resume…”

    Wow, very informative!


  22. Great look at the Then and Now of #resumes via @zhailey



  23. I love to see how things like these all began! Like the first ever cashiers cheque was actually invented by the Knights Templar during the crusades.