Whether you are seeking a job or simply want to update your LinkedIn profile, a comprehensive yet concise bio will serve you better than a simple resume. Some of you may be wondering if creating a bio when you already have a resume would be considered redundant.
However, a bio is supposed to convey more than the factual details of your education and professional qualifications.
Even though a bio will highlight your expertise and skills, it also serves as a marketing tool to show off your personality in an engaging manner.
Writing about yourself can be very awkward and tricky. You need to always consider the fine line between arrogance and self-confidence.
Additionally, you can never be absolutely sure whether you have done justice writing about your career, experiences, and passion.
However, expert bio writers know there are a few things that are necessary when it comes to perfecting your bio writing.
Introduce Yourself
It may seem like a no-brainer to introduce yourself in the first few lines in the bio. The problem isn’t that people forget to introduce themselves— the problem is that they do not do so in the correct way.
The very first thing that the person reading your bio should know is your name. If they forget everything else about you, they should at least remember your name.
Therefore, always include your first and last name in the first sentence of your bio — even if your name is emblazoned at the top of the page
Do NOT use nicknames or abbreviated names. If your name is Robert Schumacher, do not call yourself Bobby Schumacher in your bio. There should be no inconsistencies that can confuse your potential recruiter.
The name should be followed by a few highlights like your education, achievements, licenses, or certifications. Once you have gotten past the introductory sentences, you can write about things you are passionate about, your professional and personal values, and your skills.
For example, take a look at content marketer Neil Patel’s byline at Entrepreneur.com.
These are just two lines, but they certainly pack a punch. What’s more, they are memorable — and also true. There is nothing wrong with starting your bio like this.
Choose Your Point of View
When you are writing about your own accomplishments, it can feel very strange.
People often get confused about whether to write about themselves in the first or third person when creating a bio. It becomes easier to decide if you think about who is introducing you.
If your bio is to be published on your company page, in online publications, or displayed during conferences, you are being introduced by someone else, so it makes sense to write in the third person.
You may feel like LeBron, but in these cases, it is better to get the I’s out of the way.
Writing in the third person also gives you the opportunity to note down your full name, which is great for your
However, the inclusion of your name should feel natural, not forced, and it should not be overused.
But if you are creating a bio for your social media page, it is best to refer to yourself in the first person. That’s because you yourself are perceived as the publisher.
Conversely, when you are writing a bio for your social media profile, it is better to use the first person. Here you’re perceived as the “publisher,” so you’re introducing yourself.
Storytelling
Make your bio all about yourself. In other circumstances, this may seem narcissistic, but in a bio, that is what adds value.
Whether you are an entry-level employee or an owner of a small tech startup, you should share how professional, as well as personal circumstances, had an impact on your life.
Don’t assume that your reader will already know what your job title entails, even if a resume accompanies your bio. Make sure you make your primary responsibilities in a job role known to the reader, help them understand what makes your valuable, and convince them what you can accomplish for them.
The best way to do this is to quantify your results. Use numbers and figures to show how much money you earned and the time you saved for your company.
Going back to Neil Patel’s example, here is what he wrote in his LinkedIn “About” section.”
As you can see, Patel has not been shy about what his marketing efforts have accomplished. You shouldn’t be either because these figures will help your recruiters decide whether you are worth hiring.
You should also paint a picture of how you overcame obstacles and adversities and what mission you strive towards. If you have space to do so, always honor your mentors and role model who helped you achieve success.
Describe your Values and Hobbies
One of the big questions that people like to know the answer to is the reason behind doing what you do.
This question is often asked during job interview sessions, as well. These are the values and motivations behind your work, and they go beyond academic qualifications and job skills.
By describing your values and integrating them with your career, readers can find out what makes your contributions different from others.
Moreover, you need to explain how these values synergize with the values of your colleagues that could make doing business with you a profitable investment.
You can wrap up your bio by writing about life outside of work, including your family, hobbies, and community services. To make your bio more coherent, you should also add how these activities and experiences help you in your profession.
People like hearing about things that make you human. The more honest and transparent you are, the more chance of people liking you when they are reading about you professionally.
Adding the Personal Touch
One of the easiest ways to make a reader lose interest in you is to write a boring and uninspiring bio. You can put some personality in your bio by adding your own brand of humor and some carefully chosen words.
You can also incorporate wit when you are ending your bio by adding something intriguing and quirky to make sure you leave a lasting impression on your readers.
Bottom Line
If you have no idea how to create a bio of your own, following the above steps can help you.
However, don’t become fixated on every single section of the bio. Remember that you need to hook your reader in the first line or risk them suffering from information fatigue.
Your bio is one of the most visible marketing tools in your arsenal. People will read your bio.
The bigger concern is whether they will remember it and whether it will succeed in convincing them about your abilities. So make sure you present yourself from a unique and personal perspective.
We hope this post can help you figure out how to create your own bio without making it seem like it just came from a Xerox copier. When in doubt, just follow the simple rules above.
successful interview -DepositPhotos
