Tips on Writing a Career Biography

Posted by admin on April 5, 2010 under Business Coaching Services, Executive Coaching Services | Be the First to Comment

Last week, we discussed the importance of creating a strong personal brand through your career biography. Now that you’ve gathered the necessary information, it’s time to start writing.

The First Paragraph is the Most Important

When crafting your career bio, the first paragraph has to pack a punch and make people want to keep reading. Capture attention with your leadership brand, or lead with a quote from an industry celebrity or subject matter expert. You could even add a quote of your own that encapsulates your brand value and highlights your expertise—it could be something that others tell you you’re always saying—or a direct quote about you from someone you’ve worked with.

Use Strong Storytelling to Show Why You are Valuable

The best career bios use a narrative format, written in third-person,  to make your readers understand how you make things happen.   Tell stories, use  examples of what you have done in the past.  This format allows you to more fully convey the impact you’ll have on an organization and helps them envision you in the position they’re trying to fill.

Make it Compelling 

The writing should come from your own voice, but follow a consistent theme that reinforces your brand.  For instance, if you are know for cleaning up problems, weave that skill throughout your narrative so your readers begin to see you in that role.

Format the Document for Visual Appeal and Ease in Reading

Add more white space by breaking up long, dense paragraphs into two or three smaller ones.  This will draw readers’ eyes down the page and compel them to read the entire document.  Include high-impact subhearings throughout, which is also an opportunity to build in relevant keywords and draw more attention to specific skills.

Let the Reader Into Your Life Outside the Workplace

Definitely incorporate your community involvement and any volunteer activities into your career bio. The commitment to giving back is an important trait for any leader. Discuss your non-professional passions and hobbies. You may find that your key brand attributes come into play when you pursue these activities, plus having a shared hobby with the readers of your bio can spark additional interest in you. At the end of your bio, talk about your spouse and children, noting briefly what they’re doing.

Taking the time to put together a compelling, interesting career biography in addition to your resume can often put you at the top of the job candidates list.  It is time well-spent.