How to Write a Professional Biography
The skills on how to write a professional biography are critical not only for enhancing your academic papers writing skills but also career success. In fact, knowing how write an outstanding biography can also go a long way in improving your communication skills. However, you do not have to worry about it anymore because in this section, you will find the best tips and examples showing how a professional biography should be crafted.
Before you move on to finding out how to write a professional biography, it is important that you know what it is. A biography is a document that is written to describe you or your life in a way that someone can read and understand your capabilities or expertise. In the document, you are required to give details about your achievements, credentials and any other projects that you have been involved in. However, it should be noted that the content of or angle pursued in writing a professional biography may vary based on the purpose and intended audience or recipient.
There are numerous reasons why it is very important for you to know how to write a professional biography. With a professionally crafted biography, you can easily get hired and also win the respect of others. Besides, a good biography can effectively market your skills to the world and make you more visible than you ever thought.
Tips on how to write a professional biography
Although some people may hire others to write their bios on their behalf, it is always recommended that you write yours individually. The guidelines outlined herein can assist you to easily master the art of how to write a professional biography.
Understand the purpose of the biography
It is advisable that you do not rush into writing a bio without knowing the reasons behind it. For instance, you may be asked to write a biography for a class assignment, job application or even internship. In each of this cases, the content and angle may be slightly different.
By knowing the reason for writing the biography, you will also be sure of the audience and determine what to include and how to frame the document professionally.
Adopt the Third person perspective
Professional biographies should be written in third person. This implies that the document should sound like it was objectively written. In simple terms, you should write the biography as if it is someone else who was giving your story to an audience.
For example, instead of writing, ‘’I have lived in America for three years and I speak four different languages,’’ you should write, ‘’XXX has lived in America and speaks four different languages.’’
Focus on relevant information
Based on the purpose of the biography, it is always advisable that you know the right information that should be given therein. Therefore, it is important that you have a record of your achievements and know which ones to include in the bio for successful results.
Even after writing, it is important that you keep updating the piece to reflect the expertise and experience that you have attained so far.
Clarity
The aspect of clarity is also another very important one to note in the process of knowing how to write a professional biography. In order to make your bio to be more compelling and easy to read, avoid using vague words or giving general information.
Always be specific in your achievements and every detail given in the biography so that the audience can easily grasp what is explained therein. Avoid using meaningless statements and complicated words since many people will be turned off by struggling to understand what is contained in the biography.
In order to make your work clearer and easy to read, always use short and precise sentences when giving points. However, each should be able to effectively illustrate the point being highlighted.
Steps on how to write a professional biography
Depending on your goals and audience, there are different ways through which a biography can be written. However, those may confuse you. Follow the basic steps outlined below to easily know how to write a professional biography.
Begin with an introduction
In the first part of the bio, you should clearly tell the reader who you are and also what you do. Ensure that your name, job title and any other information that can be used to professionally identify you is vividly given in the introduction.
In case you have a nickname that is well known in the industry, you can also include it in the introduction.
You can also include a photo of yourself on the left hand corner of the bio to make it look more appealing and professional.
Give your educational background and credentials
This is a critical section in the bio since it is whereby the reader will be able to know if you are really fit for the position or chance.
Clearly give a detailed illustration of your education, certificates, degrees and awards attained in every stage.
You should also show the institutions that you have attended for your education, outlining the dates when you were there if possible.
It is also important to include any relevant experiences that you have gained in this section.
Highlight notable Achievements
If there are any awards or significant achievements that you have attained so far, they should also be given. Even the recognition that you have acquired to date should be included under achievements.
However, you have to be very keen on this part to only include achievements that are relevant to the purpose of the biography.
Share your hobbies and interests
Although many often ignore this part, it should be noted that your hobbies and interests are also an ideal way of marketing your abilities.
Stating your hobbies and interests will enable the audience to know more about you. Besides, it will also show them that you can be versatile and give more than expected. This can be a plus especially when you are looking for employment. However, the hobbies and interests should be related to the need of the biography.
Closing statement
End the biography by stating the project (s) that you are currently working on and also those that you intend to pursue in future if any.
You should also provide your contact details in the conclusion so that the audience can easily reach you if they are moved by the bio. To give the piece a more professional touch, you can include an email address or link to your profile on sites like LinkedIn.
After writing the bio, it is advisable that you take some time to carefully read the whole of it in order to make corrections for mistakes that may have been made in the process of writing.
A professional bio should generally be short in length since not many people have the time to read long and elaborate documents. Try to write the bio in one page. However, the above elements have to be vividly portrayed in your biography.
Examples of Professional Biographies
Looking at samples of biographies is also recommended to assist you on how to write a professional biography. The following examples are typical professional biographies that you should also refer to for more insight.
Example 1
‘’Dr. Jane Wright is a professor of Biology at the University of California, Los Angeles. She earned her B.S and M.D from UCLA and Penn State University respectively, before eventually becoming the supervising doctor at the Pennsylvania Hospital Emergency Center in 1997. After her 15 years’ stay there, Dr. Wright went back to Los Angeles to serve in a tenure position at her alma mater UCLA…’’
Read the whole of this sample biography here.
Example 2
‘’Laura Zigman grew up in Newton, Massachusetts (where she felt that she never quite fit in), and graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (where she also did not fit in) and the Radcliffe Publishing Procedures Course (where she finally felt content).
She spent ten years working (slaving away) in New York at a publishing firm as a publicist for Times Books, Vintage Books, Turtle Bay Books, Atlantic Monthly press and Alfred A. Knopf (where she felt unappreciated and abused)…’’
Find the rest of this bio sample here.
Example 3
‘’Robert Biography brings the strategic focus, vision and mature judgment acquired from a successful career guiding the development and implementation of financial programs, technical enhancements and business advisory services for the achievement of sustainable positive outcomes. Leveraging different financial, business optimization and accounting expertise to diverse entrepreneurial, technology and market-making businesses, Robert’s progressive experience of more than 20 years has enabled him to ensure significant profitability and growth objectives for the organizations which he has been involved in strategic partnerships with…’’
Click here to read the rest of this sample bio.
From the above guidelines, we hope you now know how to write a professional biography.
Are you in an institution of higher learning and struggling with your academic papers? Would you like assistance? If that’s the case get in touch with us for the best assistance. Visit our homepage to find out about our custom writing services. On the other hand, you can also continue reading more academic paper writing guidelines on this blog.
References
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/write-short-bio-yourself-57289.html
http://www.forbes.com/sites/deborahljacobs/2014/06/03/what-to-do-when-you-need-a-bio-rather-than-a-resume/
http://theundercoverrecruiter.com/8-steps-writing-bio-pro-chris-brogan-fact/