Today I had a surprise call from Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo. Turns out he needs a new resume. Oh…I know you’re thinking “Hey…wait a minute. Hasn’t he been dead since 1564?” Well…yes. But my policy (and I think it’s a good one) is to always give clients the benefit of the doubt. And so I tried my best to help.
Still…as much as I want to help build the best resume possible for Mick (he likes me to call him that) …he has an unbelievably poor work history and exhibits seriously questionable behavior. Oh, I know he has all these amazing talents blah blah blah, but how can I hope to make him look good on a professional resume when THIS is the background info I got from him during our first meeting?
- Notorious job hopper (painter, sculptor, architect, poet, and engineer).
- Spends his work days just lying around on his back.
- Believes he’s royalty even though it’s never been proven.
- Paints himself into corners.
- Lived with a stone cutter and his wife under unexplained circumstances.
- Obsessed with painting and sculpting nude bodies.
- Lives in solitary melancholy and “monk-like chastity” (making him tough to sell to corporate employers except maybe as a techie).
- Frequently sleeps in his clothes and boots (see techie note above).
- Often covered with marble dust.
- Rumored to have violently hit the knee of Moses with a hammer, shouting, “Why don’t you speak to me?” (It’s a statue, Mick!)
- Committed fraud with a de Medici.
- Nicknamed “inventor of obscenities”.
- Has been known to carry weapons (i.e. chisel and hammer).
- Considers Lenny da Vinci (whom we all love) his arch rival.
- Insatiable publicity hound. (First Western artist to have a biography published while still alive.)
My point? When it comes to your job search, it’s all how you paint the picture. 
Source:
Read more about Michelangelo at Wikipedia
Resume articles to help you paint a strong picture
What Is a Career Story & How Can It Help You Find Your New Job
How Your Lead-off Batters Make or Break Your Resume Brand
What Is Branding When It Comes To Your Resume or Career?
7 Resume Landmines That Can Blow Up AFTER an Interview
How to Handle Annoying Red Flags in Your Resume
When It Comes to Resumes…Sweat the Small Stuff!
How a New Resume Got Her the Job Interview!
10 Things I Look for When I Screen Resumes & Cover Letters
Who the Heck is Screening Your Resume?
Are You Getting Screwed By Your Professional Resume Writer?
I Keep Trying But My Resume Doesn’t Get Me Any Jobs!
What a perfect Monday morning post, Ronnie Ann, starting the week with a smile. I’m reminded of a cartoon, possibly from the New Yorker. Michelangelo is up on the scaffolding in the Sistine Chapel (lying around on his back, as usual). Far below, some church official is calling up to him, “Michelangelo, come down. We’ve decided to paper!”
In college I took and art history class on Michelangelo. I wanted to write my final paper on Michelangelo and procrastination. Alas, I was an English Lit major, not a Psych major so I focused on something else.
Good call, Ronnie Ann.
Thanks Terry and perri! (Rhyming names not required to comment).
Hah! Love that cartoon, Terry. I remember it but not sure from where either.
Amazing perri how much this procrastinator accomplished, isn’t it? Really gives me hope.
Hi
he was a genius.
I just moved to US from UK with rose-tinted glasses about finding a job here. I had my first phone-interview today and messed it up. I realize it is a jungle out here to find a post. Your post on dear Michelangelo cheered me up, thanks
Thanks for your comment Shamima. I’m so glad this post made you smile. For me, tough times like a job hunt are when I need to smile more than ever.
For the future, here are some more articles on phone interviews and nerves:
JOB INTERVIEW TIPS
And please know that sometimes, even if an interview feels bad, you might be surprised to get to the next step anyway. Heck..I like you already just from the tone of your e-mail!
I wish you MUCH luck, Shamima. Oh…and welcome to the US. Rose-tinted glasses optional.
~ Ronnie Ann