Having a short, professional bio is an important part of your career, especially if you are an executive. Whether you are searching for a new job or looking to strengthen your company’s brand, what you say can help you (and your company) achieve business objectives, by showcasing your work and personality.
A bio is different from a resume and LinkedIn profile as it does not need to be optimized or made ATS friendly. It is usually requested by a potential (or current employer) to measure your candidacy or promote their business, which makes it a little more challenging to write.
If you are unsure of what to write or where to begin, you are not alone. Writing about yourself in a promotional way can be a challenge! Here are 3 simple tips that can help:
1.) Decide whether you are going to write your bio in the 1st or 3rd person.
When writing a bio, you can do so in the first person (I, my) or third person (Your Name, she, her) format. Typically, a person using a bio for employment purposes would write in the 1st person, while a person using a bio for branding purposes would write in the 3rd person. Both are acceptable if the “person” you choose remains consistent throughout the entire piece.
2.) Identify the accomplishments you would like to highlight.
It is important to pick specific accomplishments or bullets that strengthen your candidacy (or company brand). I recommend using the job description as a guide, listing the top 3 achievements that align with what the company is looking for (or wants to demonstrate to clients), with a specific focus on the last 10-15 years.
3.) Determine if you would like to include any fun information.
Feel free to include a fun fact, or an interesting experience to help showcase your personality. Remember, a bio is not only meant to highlight your skills and experience but to give your employer (or customer) a glimpse into who you are as a person! Essentially, the format would be, Introduction, Skills and Accomplishments, Fun Fact, and Closing, and about 4-8 sentences in length. For example:
Tammy Homegardner is a Best-Selling Author, Forbes Contributing Editor, and one of the most sought-after Job Search Coaches in the country. Best known for her comprehensive training program at The Job Search School, Tammy has helped thousands of job seekers successfully navigate the ever-changing job market. Through a comprehensive plan and a personalized approach, Tammy’s clients find employment faster (and at a higher salary) than they would have on their own. When she’s not helping clients land their dream job, you can find Tammy whipping up her favorite pasta dish, or spending time with her 3 yellow labs. Learn more about the programs Tammy offers by attending her FREE Masterclass, today!
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