Studies have found that 20% of all jobs are filled through job boards and newspaper ads, and 80% are filled using other methods, such as networking with friends, family, and co-workers, or through websites such as LinkedIn.
Why are so few jobs filled the “traditional” way? Well, because the hiring managers who advertise through job boards and newspaper ads already know what type of person they’re looking for, so resumes are sufficient. Personality plays into filling the rest of the jobs, so biographies are becoming increasingly important. Including a one-page biography with your resume increases the chances you will get an interview.
Writing a biography isn’t too difficult. Here are some things you can do to help make writing it a bit easier:
Identify your purpose.
Resumes are tailored to the job you desire, and bios should be as well. Take time to think about what the readers want from you. Keep your audience in mind while you write.
Write in third person.
It might sound a little weird at first, but the bio should sound as if it were written objectively by someone else. If you look at any novel, the bio of the author will be written in third person, but it has probably been written by the author. This style is what you want to emulate.
State your accomplishments.
Like a resume, you want to hook the reader by including your occupation and accomplishments early in the biography. If you’re going for a sales position, you’ll want to include how much you increased sales in your current position.
Start with a name and end with contact info.
Starting with your name reminds the reader who he or she is reading about. Generally, when people are introduced to one another, they start with their names. A bio should also begin with an introduction (in third person), such as “John is . . .” At the end, include contact information, such as your phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile.
Proofread and rewrite.
Proofread carefully before you post your bio anywhere. Get your friends to read it. And remember your bio is a living document, so it should be reviewed on a regular basis. Consider going over it once a month or, at minimum, before you give it to anyone.
Incorporate external validations.
You’re going to spend a lot of time convincing someone why you’re the right person for the job. To seal the deal, connect your experience to things readers will recognize. List any notable clients you’ve had or work you’ve had published. Include awards, certificates, and honors you may have received to show people your story is authentic.
Include personality.
It’s a tip many writers gloss over, but it’s one of the most important—include personality! Show people that you’re a person just like them. Reveal a few hobbies or interests. Including personal interests will make you seem more approachable and relatable, and doing so can also create talking points for later. It’s a win-win.
Writing a biography doesn’t sound too hard, does it? If you follow the above tips, you can produce a great bio that will interest any reader. Keep in mind that your story should keep the reader’s attention. If you’re bored reading it, why would anyone else be interested?
Bio sample
To help solidify what you’ve learned about writing a bio, here is an example of one:
John Smith is probably the most hilarious man this side of Samplesville. For the last 20 years, he has been writing comics that make every generation roll on the floor laughing. Situational comedy is his specialty, but his black comedy comics and sketches are to die for. He puts Saturday Night Live to shame.
During the last decade, John has contributed to the comic genius of Samplesville Gazette, working alongside such masterminds as Jane Doe and Mark Markson. His most popular comics are The Dog and the Raccoon and What Is That?, which are featured in every Sunday paper. For the last two years, he’s won Sampleville’s Comics’ Choice Award. John has also been nominated for the Cartoonists Awards twice in the last five years. Not only does he create amazing comics, he is also an avid writer. John has published four books, one of which, It Was the Dog I Swear, was featured in the New York Times best sellers list.
In his off time, John likes to build such things as birdhouses, but he also constructs the occasional bench. The benches are donated around the city and to public parks around the state.
John is on a never-ending journey to learn what people find funny, which only improves his writing.
John Smith can be contacted at jsmith@asdf.com.
