Write a Captivating Bio in 10 Easy Steps
CareerZOT Talk by Kathy Seaton
Summer 2018
Your professional
biography is the
most important
copy that you
will ever write.
A compelling and aggressive
biography must accompany
your resume if you're looking
to land a new job.
This is a huge undertaking and
an arduous task. However,
your bio, if written with intent
and passion, will yield
significant results.
HR managers read bios
first and base their initial
perception of your abilities
and accomplishments on
this prized document.
Here are some tips to get you started.
Identify yourself and your purpose
immediately. This needs to be a
short and very concise statement.
Don't overwrite this section—no
one wants to read a dissertation.- Develop an elevator pitch. This is
your way to present yourself in an
elevator—in as little time as a ride
from the 1st to the 5th floor. It's the
30-60 second persuasive discussion
that positions you as a pro.
- Tell your story. Establish your
professional vision and beliefs.
Then lead into situations where
you overcame adversities and
challenges and came out
successful on the other side.
- Think about yourself as a brand.
This is your opportunity to market
yourself and be viewed as an
influencer and thought-leader.
- Quantify leadership, strategies,
and initiatives where you lead
change, instituted new processes,
used resources to save time and
money, and created big returns.
- Use an active voice and
statements that communicate
action.
- Use a conversional tone. Don't
use a bunch of industry lingo
because it makes you look like
you're “showing off.”
- Use humor—appropriately.
You want to add personality—
something unexpected. Don't
be standard or boring. It will
read like a “snoozer.”
- Keep your paragraphs short. Two
or three sentences are enough.
- Create three different versions of
your bio. Micro (one sentence),
short form (100-150 words), and
long form (250 words.)
Read more at ce.uci.edu/careerzot