Writing a good presentation letter is one of the most difficult step of job hunting.
We often tend to write banalities, repeating what is already in our CV, hoping to communicate our interest to the potential employer through the least effort. This approach will fail to catch the attention of our desired employer and won’t get us an interview. How did one of the greatest artist of history present himself when seeking a job? In 1482, a 30 and something years old Leonardo Da Vinci sent a letter to Ludovico Sforza, regent and later Duke of Milan, hoping to get employment.
Leonardo Da Vinci full cover letter:
Most Illustrious Lord, Having now sufficiently considered the specimens of all those who proclaim themselves skilled contrivers of instruments of war, and that the invention and operation of the said instruments are nothing different from those in common use: I shall endeavour, without prejudice to any one else, to explain myself to your Excellency, showing your Lordship my secret, and then offering them to your best pleasure and approbation to work with effect at opportune moments on all those things which, in part, shall be briefly noted below.
1. I have a sort of extremely light and strong bridges, adapted to be most easily carried, and with them you may pursue, and at any time flee from the enemy; and others, secure and indestructible by fire and battle, easy and convenient to lift and place. Also methods of burning and destroying those of the enemy.
2. I know how, when a place is besieged, to take the water out of the trenches, and make endless variety of bridges, and covered ways and ladders, and other machines pertaining to such expeditions.
3. If, by reason of the height of the banks, or the strength of the place and its position, it is impossible, when besieging a place, to avail oneself of the plan of bombardment, I have methods for destroying every rock or other fortress, even if it were founded on a rock, etc.
4. Again, I have kinds of mortars; most convenient and easy to carry; and with these I can fling small stones almost resembling a storm; and with the smoke of these cause great terror to the enemy, to his great detriment and confusion.
5. And if the fight should be at sea I have kinds of many machines most efficient for offense and defence; and vessels which will resist the attack of the largest guns and powder and fumes.
6. I have means by secret and tortuous mines and ways, made without noise, to reach a designated spot, even if it were needed to pass under a trench or a river.
7. I will make covered chariots, safe and unattackable, which, entering among the enemy with their artillery, there is no body of men so great but they would break them. And behind these, infantry could follow quite unhurt and without any hindrance.
8. In case of need I will make big guns, mortars, and light ordnance of fine and useful forms, out of the common type.
9. Where the operation of bombardment might fail, I would contrive catapults, mangonels, trabocchi, and other machines of marvellous efficacy and not in common use. And in short, according to the variety of cases, I can contrive various and endless means of offense and defence.
10. In times of peace I believe I can give perfect satisfaction and to the equal of any other in architecture and the composition of buildings public and private; and in guiding water from one place to another.
11. I can carry out sculpture in marble, bronze, or clay, and also I can do in painting whatever may be done, as well as any other, be he who he may.
Again, the bronze horse may be taken in hand, which is to be to the immortal glory and eternal honour of the prince your father of happy memory, and of the illustrious house of Sforza.
And if any of the above-named things seem to anyone to be impossible or not feasible, I am most ready to make the experiment in your park, or in whatever place may please your Excellency – to whom I comment myself with the utmost humility, etc.
What does Leonardo’s cover letter teach us?
1. First, identify the needs of your potential employers: Leonardo Da Vinci introduces himself as a skilled military devices inventor, and not as an artist, knowing well that Ludovico Sforza was a military man. In fact, he doesn’t list his past achievements as they do not answer to Sforza’s needs.
2. Showcase your skills, always using key words which will attract the attention of the employer: Leonardo, in eleven bullet points, lists the military equipment that he is capable of inventing, presenting their innovativeness and assets.
3. Show the employer that you have done your research. Offering to create a bronze sculpture in memory of Sforza’s father, Leonardo answers to a personal desire of the regent, hoping to strike a chord.
4. And don't forget, always ask for an interview at the end of your letter, "with the utmost humility"...
If you want to apply for one of our vacancies, don't forget to write a cover letter following Leonardo's example.
