How to Write Your Professional Bio
So, you want to create a professional biography for websites and social media profiles… but where to begin?
It’s your chance to show who you are, what you do, and why people should care about you, but we know that it’s tricky.
Read on to learn how to make sure your bio is professional, engaging, and just the right length!
What to Include in Your Bio
1. Your Name and Job Title:
Start with your name, (add your first name only if you hit your character limit), and your current job title. This is the easiest way to let people know who you are and what your present career path looks like.
Example: “Welcome to my page! I’m Jane Smith, a Graphic Designer at Creative Minds Studio.”
2. Your Background:
Include a very brief overview of your education and work experience. Highlight any relevant achievements or skills; don’t add too many details though, save those for your cover letter and resume!
Example: “I graduated with a degree in Graphic Design from the University of Art and have over five years of experience creating visual content.”
3. Your Current Role:
Briefly describe what you do in your current job and what makes it exciting or unique. If possible, include a couple specific details about your role. (For example, if it’s graphic design, include that you do logo design for businesses).
Example: “At Creative Minds Studio I specialize in web design, helping businesses create compelling visual identities by personalizing their websites.”
4. Personal Touch:
Add a bit about your hobbies, interests, or personal life to make your bio more relatable! Then when people are reading it over, they may feel more connected and interested in you.
Example: “When I’m not designing, I love going on road trips, and exploring new coffee shops.”
5. Contact Information or Call to Action:
If appropriate, include your professional contact information or a call to action, such as inviting people to connect with you.
Example: “Connect with me on LinkedIn or check out my portfolio on my website at reallycoolpage.com.”
What Not to Include
1. Too Much Jargon:
Avoid using terms that might confuse people who aren’t familiar with your field. For example, try to stay away from using a lot of abbreviations and job-specific technical terms.
2. Personal Details:
Don’t share too much personal information, (such as an address or phone number), to protect your privacy. Only add what’s “surface-level” and relevant to your professional life.
3. Negative Comments:
It might sound cliché but stay positive! What we mean is, avoid mentioning any negative experiences or complaints about previous jobs or colleagues. This can create a poor first impression of you to anyone reading your information.
How to Keep It Engaging
- 1. Tell a Story: Use a narrative style to make your bio more interesting; have your sentences flow into one another in a coherent way.
- 2. Be Authentic: Write in your own voice and let your personality shine through! You can use our examples as a guideline but write it your way.
- 3. Highlight Achievements: Mention any awards or notable accomplishments to stand out, but not in a boastful or exaggerated way. Keep it honest, but humble.
Some Extras to Note
Appropriate Length
A good bio should be concise yet informative. Aim for around 150-200 words as this length is enough to cover the essentials without totally overwhelming the reader.
Use of Emojis and Abbreviations
Emojis can add a bit of personality but use them sparingly to maintain a professional tone. Too many emojis can look immature, but one or two is completely fine.
Example with Emoji: “When I’m not designing, I love going on road trips, and exploring new coffee shops ☕.”
Statements or Calls to Action
When possible, try to end your bio with a statement or call to action. This encourages your audience to engage with you further, and keeps them interested in your work!
Example: “I’m always open to new opportunities and collaborations. Let’s connect, today!”
Writing a professional biography might seem daunting, but it’s all about showcasing your best self in a clear and engaging way. Now, go ahead and write a bio that truly represents you!
Additional resources to help you write a great bio!
The HubSpot’s article has a great big list of 27 different professional biograpy examples, and templates to boot!
Kootenay Employment Services has a collection of articles on various career advice topics that might give you some addional insight when it comes to marketing yourself!
Indeed’s guide offers their 4 steps to writing a great professional bio, and their article comes with a video as well!
The Muse provides a great, resource-filled article about writing a professional biography, and provides specific examples for various social media platforms such as Twitter, LinkedIn, and more.
