How Do I Write A Professional Bio?
A professional biographical statement (bio) is an important part of applying for a job. You can use your bio in cover letters, as part of a portfolio, on your personal blog or website, as well as on professional networks like LinkedIn.
A well-written bio should tell the reader who you are, summarize your skills, boost your credibility, and make it clear how you add value to any team, position or experience. While that might sound like a tough order to fill, we’ve broken the process down into simple steps.
INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND ESTABLISH CREDIBILITY
Get straight to the point in your bio. The number one question on the mind of the person reading your bio is going to be “Who is this person and why should I hire them?” So tell them clearly and with a short description of yourself.
Summarize your skills and establish your trustworthiness and believability by telling them that you’re a qualified candidate because of clearly defined factors.
Skills and experiences that qualify as credibility boosters:
Graduating from a program with a degree or certification
Having an internship, volunteer or service experiences in your community
Being a teaching assistant for a certain subject
Standing out in your hobbies, sports, or other extra curricular activities
Gaining experience through work study or other jobs you held while also being a student
Awards or other acknowledgments of your successes
Example introduction:
I’m currently a senior at [NAME] High School where I am a member of the basketball team and student body treasurer. I’m planning to attend NHS College next fall to pursue a pre-nursing degree.
TELL THEM ABOUT YOURSELF, BUT STAY ON TOPIC
Give your potential employer a little glimpse of what it would be like to work with you by telling them a bit about yourself, but stay on topic. This section is great for showing off a bit of your personality but it should also reinforce your skills, expertise or fit for this job. You can include values that resonate with you, unique talents you have, and even give examples of your success.
Prompts to help you introduce yourself:
What is your goal in the career or job you are applying for?
Whom do you want to help, and how?
How do others compliment you or what do other people say you’re good at?
What’s a detailed example of something you have done that makes you a good candidate?
Example personal statement:
I also happen to be a pretty great neat freak. My two younger sisters fought over who would get to share a room with me because they know how neat I am– which means they get a clean room without having to do the majority of the cleaning. (It’s okay, I plan to hold it over their heads.) I hope to put my supernatural cleaning and organizing powers to good use in a hospital some day.
HIGHLIGHT YOUR AREAS OF EXPERTISE
It can be intimidating to list out your areas of expertise when you have little to no job experience. But that’s okay! A lot of the things you’re already doing– whether it’s babysitting, playing team sports or being a companion for grandma– have transferable skills. See our article How Do I Get And Keep A Job? for more information and a list of transferable skills.
Example expertise statement:
Some of the skills and expertise I’ve gained as the eldest of 5, student body treasurer and as a member of the basketball team include: communication, problem solving, basic financial management, accountability, public speaking, record keeping, time management, organization, household management, physical stamina and the ability to work under pressure.
PUT IT ALL TOGETHER INTO YOUR BIO
Combine your introduction, personal statement, and expertise together into a bio. You may need to edit it for length. Generally, you want to keep your bio to around 100-150 words. While you were writing, you may have repeated some ideas, phrases or concepts that need to be streamlined.
Your full bio (sample):
I’m a senior at [NAME] High School where I’m a member of the basketball team and student body treasurer. I’m planning to attend NHS College next fall to pursue a pre-nursing degree.
I’m a huge neat freak. My two younger sisters fought over who would share a room with me because they know how neat I am– which means they get a clean room without having to do the majority of the cleaning. (It’s okay, I plan to hold it over their heads.) I hope to put my supernatural cleaning and organizing powers to good use in a hospital some day.
Some of the skills and expertise I’ve gained as the eldest of 5, student body treasurer and as a member of the basketball team include: communication, problem solving, basic financial management, accountability, public speaking, record keeping, time management, organization, household management, physical stamina and the ability to work under pressure.
NEXT STEPS
Read your bio out loud to yourself.
How does it sound? Is it true? Is it missing anything you didn’t think to include before you heard it out loud?
Run spelling and grammar checks on your bio.
Finish up your edits, and ask a trusted mentor, friend, or advisor to read it for you and give you feedback.
Include your bio in your application materials or any other place you wish to represent who you are and what you are doing in a professional manner.
More bio writing tips and tutorials:
How Do I Write A Professional Bio? by Iman Moore and Dyana Valentine is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Thumbnail image by Taylor Grote via Unsplash