How to Write a Biography for Job Seekers

A well-written professional biography can be the key to getting a job interview.

A professional biography may be requested when you are hunting for a job. A professional biography is essentially a résumé told in the form of a story. Along with your résumé, your professional biography will be the source of the all important first impression for a potential employer. A well-written employment biography will allow the reader to gain a sense of who you are as a person, while highlighting your expertise, qualifications, and eligibility for the job.

Instructions

1. Write your biography in the third person because it will give your self-written biography more professional appeal.

2. Include information about your most recent job and past employment experience relevant to the position you are applying for in the first paragraph of the story. Briefly describe the position held, responsibilities, and any major accomplishments achieved while on the job.

3. Highlight any publications you can take credit for in the second paragraph. Also, if you were in charge of giving presentations or training sessions for previous employers, that information can be featured in this paragraph as well.

4. Provide the reader with information regarding your professional memberships in the third paragraph of the professional biography.

5. Tell potential employers about your education in the fourth paragraph. List degrees held and the institutions that you received them from. Highlight any awards or honors you have received in this paragraph as well.

6. Inform possible employers of your contact information including a phone number, mailing address, and email address in the last paragraph of the biography.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your employment biography focused and as short as possible. Give only the information that is needed for a potential employer to consider you for the job.

• Keep the tone of the biography as conversational as possible so that your personality comes through in your writing.

• Highlight your accomplishments and education in a subtle, professional fashion. Don't brag.

References

• Executive Career Brand: How to Write a C-Level Executive Brand Biography

Resources

• University of Northern Iowa: Guide to Writing a Educator's Biography