From Da Vinci to LinkedIn: A comparison of CVs through the ages

Has your CV moved with the times? From Da Vinci’s handwritten letter of 1482 – often considered the first ever CV – to a digital LinkedIn profile, this post takes a look at how job applications have evolved and what we can learn from the work of geniuses.



The fifteenth century

Leonardo Da Vinci is credited with writing the first ever CV, when he wrote to the Duke of Milan to ask for a job. And actually, given that he didn’t have access to the multitude of internet resources we have available at our fingertips today, he did a pretty good job. 

The twentieth century

Bill Gates overcame Leonardo’s problem by using a typewriter and writing his CV in English, so he’s already streaks ahead. 

What Bill Gates did right:

• Listed skills relevant to the desired position
• Structured his CV in reverse-chronological order
• Showcased relevant experience and education in his target sector

How he could have improved his CV:

• Changed the objective statement into a profile statement
• Left off the personal details of height, weight and dependents
• Added the impact and outcomes of the projects he worked on

He hadn’t invented Microsoft Word at this point, so the presentation still leaves something to be desired.

The twenty-first century

While the presentation of CVs is important these days, LinkedIn has gone some way to standardising professional information, enabling users to create online CVs. Stephen Hawking rose to the top of his game, which is shown clearly on his profile. 

What Stephen Hawking’s profile does right:

• Fills out all key sections in full
• Isn’t too wordy
• Focuses on his specialisms and achievements

How he could have improved his profile:

• Expand his professional network (might be more beneficial if he was still alive)
• Avoid use of comedy (current occupation listed as Grave in Westminster Abbey)
• Get some endorsements and recommendations from others in the field

Today

These days, CVs combine the best of all these attempts. Like Leonardo’s they show what the applicant can contribute and explain which problems they can solve, like Bill Gates’ they highlight the most relevant skills for the target job, and like Stephen Hawking’s they are comprehensive and show off areas of expertise.

The CV today is more like a sales and marketing document than a dry list of facts – Leonardo understood this better than Bill Gates! However, Bill understood the importance of structure and consistency. Despite the flaws in their CVs, it didn’t stop Leonardo, Bill and Stephen rising to the top of their field.

From the handwritten to the typed to the word-processed to the digital, the way we apply for roles has changed significantly since Leonardo first put quill to paper. Today, LinkedIn lets us build professional networks and apply for jobs at the touch of a button. Even though he might not recognise the technology, Leonardo would no doubt have a wide network, an all-star profile, and Dukes knocking his door down to employ him.

A CV fit for modern times

Is your CV stuck in the nineties? Are you making the same mistakes as Leonardo in 1482? To ensure you’re applying for jobs with a CV suitable for the modern job market, contact Word Dragon. With services for every budget, you’ll soon be well positioned to compete against twenty-first century high-flyers. 

Updated 2026