cv biography template

What more do you need to know?

Ian doesn't take his bio too seriously but uses every character to highlight everything about him.

He includes his skills as a marketer and podcast host, who he is outside work as a dad, and what he can help you do. His smiles also give the bio a sense of humor and realness.

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Create a compelling professional narrative for your summary, bio, or introduction.

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How to Write a Professional Bio for Any Situation—Without the Stress

How many times have you sat in front of a blank screen staring at the pesky cursor, wondering why it’s so hard to write about yourself? I’ll bet it’s more than once. Contemplating who you are as a human being is an exercise in mental (or existential?) gymnastics. And if you’re trying to write a professional bio, you’re trying to distill who you are and what you do in a way that’s compelling to recruiters, hiring managers, colleagues, potential clients, and other contacts all at once—so it can feel ramped up to Simone-Biles-floor-routine-difficulty levels.

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Your professional bio is, arguably, the most important text you’ll ever write about yourself. It’s the first introduction to who you are, what you do, and what you’re interested in—whether it’s for a social media platform, a personal website , or company team page. What you choose to highlight may play a role in others deciding to follow you, call you in for an interview, or invite you to participate in an event. It’s an opportunity for you to—in a few lines—showcase your work, competence, and areas of expertise. So you’d better stick the landing.

But don’t worry too much: You don’t have to be the Simone Biles of LinkedIn to write a professional bio. We’ve gathered the steps, template, examples, and bonus tips you’ll need to write a bio for any occasion.

How to get started on your professional bio

We’ll get to the good stuff shortly (read: the template and examples), but before you put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, there are a few things you should know—about yourself.

Your bio shouldn’t be a laundry list of accomplishments, but a window into the person behind the accolades. You’re more than your most recent position (especially if you have a trendy startup title; I’m looking at you, ninjas and rock stars), so think about the strengths that make you good at what you do and the qualities that make you unique. These are what you want the person reading your bio to come away knowing.

If you’re drawing a blank, try to answer these questions before you start writing:

• How have you personally helped your company, department, or clients?
• Which of your accomplishments would be most impressive to your entry-level self?
• What makes you most valuable in your role?
• What’s one thing not in your job description that relates to why you’re so successful? Maybe you want to include a line about volunteering, about writing in your free time, or about a previous role.
• Why do you do what you do? What do you believe about your field that drives you to do the work you do each day?

Once you’ve got all that down, you’re ready to get it into your professional bio.

Professional bio template

The template below is designed to help you write a “master” professional bio that you can then tweak for different situations. This template is meant to offer you a general framework only—if you find that you need to add an extra couple of sentences or determine that a section we’ve included doesn’t feel relevant to how you wish to present yourself, feel free to tweak it.

[Name] is a [role] who [how you help clients, customers, or your employer] by [something unique about your process or output]. [First name] [knows/believes] [what you know/believe about the work you do].

[First name] has [landed/secured/garnered/worked at/supported/mastered] [insert your most compelling experiences, accomplishments, and skills]. Currently [he/she/they] is/are [working toward/studying/planning to] [your next professional goal or some way you’re developing as a professional].

[First name] is [trained/certified/awarded] in [relevant trainings, awards, honors, etc]. [First name] holds a [ degree] in [area of study] from [University].

When [he/she/they] is not [brief phrase that describes what you do], [First Name] [can be found/enjoys] [brief description of compelling interests or hobbies you’d like to share].

Here’s an example of how this template could look filled in:

Matthew Chang is a social media manager who excels at creating campaigns and posts for nonprofits that make followers take action by combining strong writing and design with insights about the org’s  audience. Matthew believes that the right post, seen at the right time, can inspire people who believe in a nonprofit’s mission to help the causes they care about and ultimately allow that org to make a bigger impact.

Matthew has driven more than 10,000 social-influenced donations to three different nonprofits, with over $200,000 raised for important causes. Currently they’re working with GoodBoyGirl dog rescue to inspire not only donations, but also pet adoptions through Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok posts. (Matthew is always happy to share pictures of dogs they’ve helped find forever homes!)

Matthew holds a HubSpot Social Media Certification, and has taken several graphic design courses through The New School. They hold a bachelor’s degree from UCLA where they double majored in marketing and English.

When they’re not crafting social media campaigns, Matthew can be found biking around the city with their chihuahua Kyra on their back (don’t worry, the pup has a tiny helmet!) or taking in a Broadway show.

How to adapt your bio for different situations

Now that you have your “master professional bio,” you’ll want to tweak it for different situations.

For each iteration of your bio, imagine a specific reader and what they’d want to know about you, and then write for them. For instance, let’s say you’re on an alumni panel for your college. Student attendees will want to know what they should be doing now to get the career you have. In this case, your bio should reflect less of your day-to-day work responsibilities and more of the past campus activities, classes, and early-career internships and jobs that led you to where you are.

We’ve outlined specific advice for some of the most common scenarios where you’ll need to write a professional bio below—along with examples.

1. Your LinkedIn summary

Start by identifying how you use—or would like to use— LinkedIn . Are you content with your job, but looking to expand your network? Are you trying to attract recruiters?

Whatever you’re seeking, your LinkedIn summary should support your activity on the site; a profile focused on networking within the industry will read differently than that of someone aggressively hunting for a new job. Once you’ve identified your purpose, it will be much easier to tweak the above template for your LinkedIn summary. You’ll still want to lead with your position and other info from the first paragraph of the bio template. Then move onto whatever skills or accomplishments are most relevant to your LinkedIn goals. Last, share those goals.

Here’s an example of a LinkedIn summary that follows this strategy:

As a field sales manager with over eight years of experience driving market share growth in designated territories, I have mastered the ins and outs of pharmaceutical sales and territorial prospecting. After honing and executing these specialties to reach numerous company goals, I was honored with an invitation to join the National Marketing Council. Now, I spend the majority of my time brainstorming sales strategies and connecting with other industry professionals who are interested in talking shop.

You can always add supporting content on either side of this skeleton paragraph, such as a personal anecdote, previous positions, or a mission statement. If you need a bit more inspiration, look to your recommendations for outside opinions on what makes you special.

Read More: 5 Templates That’ll Make Writing the Perfect LinkedIn Summary a Total Breeze

2. Your Twitter bio

Even a snappy, 160-character bio can help set you apart. To write a great bio for social media, grab the first two sentences of the bio we just drafted. We’ve crammed a lot of great info in there: who you are, what you do, who you do it for, how you do it, and what you believe about the work you do. Then make sure you’re stating it as succinctly as possible. Finally, squeeze in your pizazz. Key word: squeeze. Don’t focus on unrelated quirks or superfluous details.

For example:

Software engineering whiz @Belly spreading nuggets of coding gold related to mobile applications. 8-year member of @IEEEorg, aspiring member of The Avengers.

If you’re looking to create a more serious social presence, though, you may choose to leave out the pizazz while including all the same important info:

Proud 8-year member of @IEEEorg and lead software engineer @Belly. Passionate about innovations in coding and mobile applications.

3. Your company website blurb

A bio for your company website (like on a team or staff page) is where you can opt out of some standard details, such as your title, in favor of things that distinguish you as a pro (or a person). After all, anyone reading this knows where you work and your job title will likely be listed by default. So you can use the second and third paragraph of the template to craft a bio focused on what makes you unique.

Margot has exceeded every Clarabridge sales goal by at least 84%, which landed her in the top CEM-seller spot and prepared her for the challenging position of strategizing sales tactics for the National Association of Sales Professionals. Her keen and innovative insights in the areas of forecasting and sales force development have enabled Clarabridge to emerge as a national leader, with a sharp and qualified team in tow to maintain the standard she helped set.

If that’s too formal for the culture of your office, and all your colleagues mention their favorite food trucks, you can aim for a 50-50 split between the professional and personal—or whatever balance suits the company’s brand.

Margot tops the sales charts at Clarabridge. In fact, she’s beat every goal by at least 84% without ever missing a practice as the coach of her son’s (undefeated) soccer team. Fueled by loaded nachos, she landed the top CEM-seller spot and took on a position brainstorming sales tactics for the National Association of Sales Professionals. Not only is she a pro when it comes to forecasting and sales force development, but she can also advise a team on where to find the best free events in the city on any given weekend.

4. Your personal website or portfolio “About Me” page

Here’s where you want to lay it all on your audience. You can use as much of the bio you wrote from the template above as you see fit and feel free to expand on whatever sections you’d like. Craft your “About Me” page so potential partners or employers understand what you can do for them and why you’re the person they should hire .

Chad Wilborn takes complex technical ideas and distills them into user-friendly visuals to improve digital marketing campaigns for companies along the West Coast. He has an education in traditional advertising and a background loaded with marketing and graphic design projects, centered around modernizing the consumer experience. Chad’s portfolio demonstrates his ability to capitalize on every pixel for the overall benefit of startups or established enterprises trying to reach consumers. His services have won multiple design and branding awards, and he is excited to help add your company to his list of successes.

But don’t forget your brand ! If you want to showcase yourself in a more unique or quirky light, opt for a first-person version with more light-hearted language.

I am a modern magician, except I transform complicated technical ideas into user-friendly images before the eyes of your company’s customers. I believe in telling relatable stories through graphics, so I studied the basics of traditional advertising before working my magic on corporate marketing projects for companies along the West Coast. My portfolio showcases a lineup of my most recent tricks, which range from visual startup campaigns to Fortune 500 projects—each of which have won design and branding awards. I’m always ready for new design opportunities and have plenty of room up my sleeve for a few more award-winning performances.

A few more tips

Keep these in mind as you write your professional bio, no matter where it’s going to end up:

• Know your limits: Just as your resume is best when it fits on one or two pages, your bio likely also requires a certain length. Whether it’s two sentences, two paragraphs, or 160 characters, respect the limit or risk it being arbitrarily chopped down.
• Avoid jargon and buzzwords: When you spend nearly a third of your life at work, it’s easy to forget that the rest of the world doesn’t speak your industry’s (or company’s) language. Use your bio to share facts and impact in terms everyone will understand.
• Use your own voice: Write about what you know best and write the way that you talk. If your bio readers ever meet you in person, they should feel as if they already know you.
• Write more than one draft: Don’t just throw something together and send it off. Write it, sleep on it, then come back to it and ask: “Would I want to meet me?” Or better yet: “Would I want to hire or work with me?”
• Don’t forget to update your bio: Your bio should evolve as you do. If you start looking for jobs in different industries, have a new and exciting accomplishment to note, or just feel ready for a refresh, go for it. Now that you’ve got this draft down, it’ll be easy to rework your professional bio.

Alex Honeysett , Adrian J. Hopkins , and Regina Borsellino also contributed writing, reporting, and/or advice to this article.

Standout Professional Bio Examples (And Why You Need One)

• Compelling examples of bios in multiple contexts

The difference between a resume and a professional bio

Who needs a professional bio.

A professional bio is one of the most important pieces of writing you have in your toolkit.

What career and business opportunities will yours open up?

Effective examples of bios in multiple contexts

When crafting a professional bio, be intentional about the content you include and tailor it according to your objectives.

You want to adjust it accordingly based on where it appears and what type of organization and industry you work for.

The purpose of a professional bio is generally to:

• State who you are and what you do
• Provide examples of your work experience that bolster your credibility
• Tell your story

How you go about accomplishing these three goals, however, will vary.

We compiled a variety of professional biographies and explain why they are effective to give you an idea of how to structure yours.

Company Website

If you are a senior executive, you may have a professional bio on your company’s website: this is the most common request we receive.

John Hartman | Equifax

John Hartman put together a classic example of an executive bio for the Equifax website.

His writing is clear, concise, and follows the standard structure for an effective bio by providing:

• Name and current role at Equifax
• Previous experience at Equifax
• Early career history
• Education summary

If you’re looking for a conventional executive bio, you’ll want to follow this format.

It’s perfectly acceptable to use the bio you have on your company’s website for LinkedIn.

However, don’t forget that LinkedIn is still a social media platform, so it’s okay to infuse a bit more personality into it !

Jay Shetty | Personal Brand

Jay Shetty's profile headline and introduction quickly grab the reader's attention: “Meet the former monk who is making wisdom go viral.”

He further builds his credibility by explaining that he has 200 million views on social media, over one million followers, and was selected for Forbes 30 Under 30.

His bio also includes information about his education and career history while infusing elements of his story (we’ll forgive him for grammar errors and focus on content – because it is quite strong).

At the end, he also provides a preferred method of contact.

You should consider including your email address or a link to your LinkedIn profile as well – especially if your bio doubles as a marketing tool.

Need help crafting a compelling executive bio? Learn more  about our professional bio writing service!

Personal Website

We’re increasingly seeing freelancers and even professionals in the corporate sector building personal websites that serve as an online resume, so to speak.

If you are a freelancer or run your own business, think carefully about your copy and what kind of message you are sending to your readers.

• What kind of impression will they have of you and your business after reading your bio?
• Does your bio leave them inspired and wanting to talk to you further?
• What is the image you are trying to convey? Do you want to come off as polished and professional, engaging, fun, or simply vanilla? 

Melanie Everett | melanieeverettco.com

Melanie Everett runs an independent real estate firm in Chicago.

Coming from a journalism background, she has leveraged her writing skills to drive her real estate business. She currently ranks in the top 1% of real estate agents in Chicago.

Conference or Event Pamphlet

If you are speaking on a panel or delivering a keynote speech, you may have the opportunity to provide a bio to be featured in the event’s print materials.

For these types of communications, you’ll want your bio to be shorter than what you might include on a company page or LinkedIn summary.

These executive bios build credibility for you and your company while positioning you as an expert on the topic you will be speaking about.

Vera Manoukian | Hilton

Hilton’s Vera Manoukian provided this bio when she spoke on a panel titled “The Rebirth of Full-Service Hotels,” effectively demonstrating her leadership experience in the hospitality sector.

Nonprofit Bio

Executive bios for nonprofit organizations often employ a storytelling approach to introduce readers to the organization’s mission and impact.

Ben Justus | EGBOK Mission

In his bio, Ben explains why he started EGBOK, the work his organization does, and how it has grown.

When you contribute to an industry blog, you may have the opportunity to include additional information that showcases why you are an authority on the topic.

In this context, your bio can also serve as publicity for your company.

Arianna Huffington | THRIVE Global

Brian X. Chen | The New York Times

Other times, you may have very limited space to work with, making it especially important to consider how each word is adding value.

A resume and professional bio are both personal marketing documents, but they are used in different contexts.

Resumes are generally used to apply for a job. They are written in third person, follow a conventional structure, and are predominantly based on facts and achievements .

Professional bios , on the other hand, provide a more informal narrative that serves as a compelling elevator pitch.

Professionals of all experience levels can benefit from a bio.

As an executive, you should have a long and short version of a professional bio to use on:

• Corporate or personal websites
• Company marketing brochures
• Conference materials

If you are a student , you can use yours as a LinkedIn summary or on the webpage of a campus organization you are a part of. You never know who might come across it!

We hope these examples have given you inspiration and an understanding of what to include in your bio.

When writing yours, remember to keep the following in mind:

The best bios are written thoughtfully and intentionally, so it’s not something you want to leave to the last minute!

Need a compelling executive bio? You can order our professional bio writing service here !

About resume pilots.

Resume Pilots is an award-winning executive resume writing firm and a proud member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches. Our previous clients include CEOs and senior executives at the world's leading companies.

As a professional services firm, we take your reputation seriously. We are committed to delivering writing excellence and superior service while operating with integrity and discretion. Recruitment firms we partner with also trust us to consistently deliver quality documents for their clients.

Our writers have studied in the Ivy League and other top-tier universities and have strong writing backgrounds coupled with industry experience.

Here's how we can help you:

Resume, Cover Letter, and LinkedIn Writing Services : If you are looking for end-to-end support, hire one of our professional resume writers to rewrite your documents from the ground up.

Executive Resume Template Downloads : If you plan to prepare your own resume, consider using one of our classic, ATS-friendly resume templates for Microsoft Word.

To learn more about our services, book an introductory call with our founder here or email [email protected] .

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About the Author Matt Glodz

Matt Glodz is the Founder and Managing Partner of Resume Pilots and a Certified Professional Resume Writer. After studying business communication at Cornell University, Matt worked within Fortune 500 companies, where he noted that qualified candidates were frequently denied interview opportunities due to poorly written documents. At Resume Pilots, Matt combines his business and writing background - which includes prior work for a Chicago Tribune publication - to craft resumes that give his clients the best chance of landing interviews. He works with clients ranging from CEOs to recent graduates and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. He has been quoted on numerous business and career-related topics in outlets including Business Insider, CNBC, Fortune, Glassdoor, The Ladders, and Thrive Global.

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Professional Bio Examples for Resumes, LinkedIn, & Websites

A professional bio sets the tone for how others perceive you. We show you how to write a bio for your resume, LinkedIn profile, and website that enhances your professional branding.

Writing a bio can be a deceptively tricky task. Whether for your LinkedIn profile, website, or social media page, the pressure to get your bio right can result in endless editing and self-doubt. But it doesn’t have to be complicated.

In this article, we break down how to write a great professional bio, plus provide plenty of examples you can draw inspiration from – so read on to find out how to get your bio in the best shape possible.

Why do you need a professional bio?

Your bio is like a digital first impression. When a recruiter looks at your portfolio, or a potential employer checks out your LinkedIn , your bio is the very first thing they see. They want to know who you are, what your experience is, and what you’ve achieved.

Whether your experience involves providing customer support for a VoIP service or running a 200-strong logistics department, a bio tells your unique story.

Structure of a professional bio

Much like using a good resume format , you should follow a tried and tested structure when writing your bio. These are the key points that you want to hit.

• Introduction. You should always open with your full name and either your current job title or your occupation.
• What you can do. Highlight what you’re good at: your key skills, areas of expertise, and what sets you apart from the rest.
• What you’ve accomplished. Give examples of notable professional achievements, awards, projects, or results that demonstrate your capabilities.
• Background. Briefly cover any relevant education and other experience to explain how you got to this point in your career.
• Make it personal. Show a glimpse of who you are outside of work by mentioning what you do in your spare time and what your values are.
• Call to action. Finish with a punchy call to action, such as a friendly request to visit your website or an invite to start a conversation.

Professional bio examples

If you need inspiration for how to market yourself professionally, it’s helpful to look at examples of what other people have done. Below are two different examples of effective professional bios:

For an entry-level professional

John Smith is a professional with a degree in Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. A love of innovation has led John to spearhead a robotics project, securing top honors in a regional competition. Additionally, he’s developed  skills in microcontroller architecture, coding, and embedded systems through an immersive internship at Cerebras Tech. When not coding, John captures life’s moments with a camera and explores hiking trails.

In this fictional bio, education, enthusiasm, and specific accomplishments are emphasized to depict a person who is keen to hit the ground running in any role.

For a senior-level professional

Jane Brown is an award-winning architect with a 20-year journey shaping iconic skylines and vibrant communities. Her leadership has consistently elevated projects beyond expectations, delivering exceptional designs that combine functionality and aesthetics. An architectural degree at Columbia University, coupled with hands-on experiences in internationally acclaimed firms, has given Jane the foundations to redefine urban landscapes. When she’s not pondering schematics, you can find Jane nurturing emerging talents and finding stillness in her yoga practice.

This fictional example showcases a depth of experience and paints the picture of a highly-regarded figure within the architectural community.

How to write an effective professional bio

These tactics will be enough to create a bio that does you and your skills justice.

1. Adapt your bio for each platform

Crafting an effective professional bio requires tailoring your content to the unique expectations of different platforms, here’s how:

• LinkedIn: Your LinkedIn bio should align closely with your professional goals. Focus on your career trajectory, highlighting milestones and key skills. Incorporate industry-specific keywords to enhance your discoverability.
• Company website: Whether your company’s website sells bath products or automatic dialer software, your bio should emphasize your role and contributions within the organization. Discuss how your contribution has shaped projects and initiatives.
• Personal website or portfolio: Your personal website provides a platform to explore your journey in greater depth. Offer glimpses into your professional experience and highlight your approach to innovation. Emphasize your expertise in relevant tools and techniques, and showcase your capacity to make ideas a reality.
• Social Media: Social media platforms demand concise yet impactful bios. Focus on a standout skill or unique aspect of your career. Whether it’s your knack for blending functionality with aesthetics or your commitment to environmentally conscious design, make sure your bio reflects your distinct identity.

2. Demonstrate your skills

Your professional bio is a prime place to exhibit your individual and teamwork skills . Highlight your technical proficiency and expertise, showcasing your ability to navigate complex challenges and drive innovative solutions.

Maybe you’re a particularly skilled communicator, or your problem-solving skills are second to none. Whatever makes you stand out, this is the section to state it loud and clear. Don’t forget soft skills like collaboration or a dedication to continuous learning are important too.

3. Showcase your accomplishments

Whether it’s spearheading intricate projects, or playing an integral role in high-impact initiatives, your accomplishments show employers your value as an employee and where your strengths lie.

Through tangible outcomes, you can effectively communicate the weight of your experience and the significant contributions you bring to any profession.

4. Make it personal

Inject personality into your bio by sharing hobbies, interests, or values. This humanizes your online presence and makes you more relatable to your audience. And remember, most employers will have recruitment diversity in mind.

Employers often want people with different backgrounds and perspectives on their teams. If you can show you have a unique perspective, this might be viewed as a plus by hiring managers who are interested in building a vibrant and dynamic workplace.

Showcase your talents with a professional bio

A well-crafted bio is like a window to your professional life that the reader can peek through.

It can make all the difference in creating new connections and opportunities. Use the tactics and examples above to create a bio that advocates for your talents and supports you to progress in your career. Before you know it, you’ll be writing a new job announcement .

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20 of the Best Professional Bio Examples We’ve Ever Seen [+ Templates]

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Lindsay Kolowich Cox | HubSpot | October 13, 2022

Your professional bio is not only relevant when applying for jobs, seeking new clients, or networking — it also gives the world a brief snapshot of who you are and your professional ideals.

To help you author one that packs a punch, we’ll teach you how to write a professional bio and leverage professional bio templates with the best professional bio examples we’ve ever seen to draw inspiration from.

What is a Professional Bio?

A professional bio or biography is a short overview of your experience. Professional bios usually include details about education, employment, achievements, and relevant skills.

Purpose of Professional Bios

A bio tells an audience who you are, and what you’ve done, and also hints at what you are capable of doing. It can help potential employers, fans, or customers get a sense of your personality and what you stand for.

That may be hard to achieve without a starting point. Below, we’ve included professional templates to expedite the process of writing a great resume bio.

Read the full article and access templates here .

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A professional bio describes your skills and professional accomplishments. Posting a bio isn’t only to interest potential employers, but also to draw the attention of clients, the public, and followers. That means that it needs to be concise, engaging, and a showcase for your expertise.

Writing a few paragraphs that sum up your life is difficult. However, putting in the time to turn out a sparkling professional bio can make a big difference in your career path , client base, and the amount of interest you get. If you’re looking to write a bio, rework a previous bio, or just find out more about them, then you’ve come to the right place.

Key Takeaways:

A professional bio helps personalize your story to attract potential employers, clients, and the general public.

A professional bio should highlight your profession or brand, as well as describe your accomplishments, responsibilities, passions, and interests.

Professional bios should be concise, personable yet professional, and updated regularly.

Professional bios are great for social media profiles, professional websites, and portfolios .

Make sure your professional bio is appropriate for your goals.

What is a professional bio?

How to write a professional bio, example professional bios, template for a professional bio, tips for writing a professional bio, professional bio faq.

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Similar to how a 140 character resume is a brief description of your work experience , skills, and education , your professional bio will articulate the same information. They both serve as introductions to a specific audience. However, a professional bio is formatted differently.

Instead of writing out bullet points of your accomplishments and skills, a professional bio has a few paragraphs of full sentences outlining these qualities. Additionally, a bio on your website or an employee page will explain further what makes you passionate about your job.

It’s meant to attract the attention of more than just possible employers to whom you send your resume in the hopes of landing a job. It’s about intriguing the public. Potential clients and followers on social media are more responsive to hearing a person’s story in the form of a professional bio than reading off lists of skills on a resume .

Writing a professional bio is a process, as with most professional writing. Summing up your life and professional accomplishments in a few paragraphs is difficult and requires a lot of editing. Here are some tips and tricks to help write an engaging bio.

Introduce yourself in the third person. The first thing you want to do when writing a professional bio is to introduce yourself with your full name. The reader has to know who they’re learning more about from the start.

State your position or brand. Now that your reader understands who they’re learning about, you can get into the details of your professional title or brand. Consider who you’re catering your bio to and what actions you want them to take after reading it.

If your goal is to bring in new clients to improve your business’s sales, focus on establishing a brand for your name and role.

If you want to get an interview with a potential employer, emphasize your job title and the company you work for currently or in the past.

Explain your professional responsibilities. A reader of your professional bio might not know what exactly someone with your job title does. Giving a brief overview of your job or business provides a more well-rounded description of what your work entails. Try to keep this part of your professional bio under a sentence long.

Why are you passionate about your job? One of the biggest conditions that set a bio’s contents apart from a resume is including the motivations for why you do your job.

Describe accomplishments in your career. This is the spot in your website bio when a little bragging about your accomplishments , in a professional way, can actually help you connect with your audience.

Close with your hobbies or personal interests. It’s common for a strong professional bio to give a closing blurb about what the person enjoys doing when they’re not working.

Start off not worrying about length. A lot of people get stuck on trying to keep the bio concise and struggle to figure out what accomplishments to add. Start with the ones you’re most proud of, but write everything out you’d like to put in it.

Chances are your bio will be longer than you want it to be. So now’s the time to start cutting back. Having everything written out in front of you usually makes it easier to decide what parts aren’t necessary to paint the picture of who you are professionally.

Professional Bio For A Contract Freelancer’s Website Example

Wendy Martin is a professional freelance photographer whose primary goal is to capture the best days of your life. Her specialty is shooting portraits and event work, with the majority of her clients being wedding parties. Wendy loves shooting people’s special moments on camera because she enjoys helping people cherish their memories for years to come. She’s a long time believer of the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words.” In the ten years that she has been working as a freelance photographer , Wendy has had her work featured in Bridal Magazine three times. She has proudly worked with over 500 clients. When she’s not shooting, organizing, and editing photos, Wendy enjoys participating in winter sports, like snowboarding. She currently lives in Aspen, Colorado with her husband and two kids.

Professional Bio For Company Team Page Example

Erick Lane has been working for Thrive Media Company as a marketing specialist for the past seven years. Most of his duties involve developing project strategy and outcome analysis. Recently, Erick has taken on more management tasks and is currently leading two campaign creation teams. When Erick was still in college at New York University, he was interested in two things: business and psychology. When he learned about the field of marketing, he knew this is where his professional future would take him. Erick has worked on successful marketing campaigns that have brought clients a profit margin improvement of more than 10%. He’s been recognized within Thrive Media Company by being given the “Most Effective Marketer of 2017” award. In his spare time, Erick enjoys reading historical adventure novels and cooking. He lives in Brooklyn, New York with his dachshund, Patsy.

Professional Bio For Owner Of A Small Business Example

Jason Smith is the founder and CEO of Pilot Portable Chargers, a company specializing in bringing your technology to life wherever you go. After graduating from Cincinnati University in 2015, Jason wanted to start a business that helped the people around him. He began Pilot when he saw a need for people to keep their phones, computers, and tablets constantly charged. He understands that whether you work remotely, travel frequently, or simply can’t afford to go offline, we all need our technology to function wherever we are. The Pilot Portable Chargers brand went live in 2017, and in the past three years has sold upwards of 1.2 million portable chargers. A business that began with sketching ideas in a bedroom has blossomed into employing more than 150 employees. Pilot was also acknowledged as “Startup of The Year 2018” in Tech News Weekly. Jason currently lives in Detroit, Michigan , and uses his free time to improve his golf game, work on home renovation projects, and spend time with his family of five.

[Full Name] is a [Job Title] who works at [Company Name] . For the past [Years Working There] , [Pronoun] has worked on [Description of Work Responsibilities] . [Name] is passionate about [Career Field] because [Why Are You Passionate About Your Job?] . [Name] has been recognized in their field for [Professional Accomplishments] and graduated from [University if applicable] . In their spare time, [Name] enjoys , [Hobbies] . [Pronoun] currently lives in [Where You Live ].

Be concise. A professional bio’s objective is to pique your audience’s interest enough to draw them into contacting you. A mistake a lot of people make in their bio is making it too long. Both consumers and employers have short attention spans. A professional bio that drones on forever will result in them losing interest.

Don’t be too uptight. Even though a bio on your website or networking profile is supposed to sound professional, that doesn’t mean it needs to be boring. The purpose of a website or LinkedIn bio is to interest the reader. Give your professional bio some personality, and show who you are beyond your career history.

Update your bio regularly. The purpose of a bio is to tell your audience where you are in your career at that moment. When things change in your professional life, such as getting a promotion or accomplishing a project goal, update your bio. It’s important to keep your professional bio relevant and current.

Consider a headshot. While including a professional headshot to accompany your bio may not always be necessary, it can be a nice touch. Visual representations are often more impactful than written ones. Putting a face to the details of your professional story can help build a connection with the reader.

Put yourself in the shoes of your audience. One way to write a professional bio that resonates with the reader and makes them reach out to learn more is by considering your audience’s point of view. Think about what you would think as a consumer or employer if you read your bio objectively. This can help you make edits and give more clarification when needed.

Have someone else proofread it. It’s always important to have someone else look over something that you wrote. Not only will they catch errors you may have missed, but they may have recommendations for what to include – or not include – in terms of your accomplishments.

How do I write a professional bio?

To write a professional bio, start by knowing your audience. Some professional bios are used to promote a brand to clients, while others are used to list qualifications to attract potential employers. It is important for you to distinguish your needs.

It is also important to know where your bio will be presented. Shorter bios are more appropriate for social media and company pages, while a longer bio can be written on a personal website. In all cases, it is important that the language of your bio is direct and approachable. You want to highlight your responsibilities, qualifications, and accomplishments without losing the reader’s attention.

Do I need a professional bio?

It depends on your profession, but it can’t hurt to have a professional bio. Professional bios are extremely helpful for those who want to build strong connections with clients or employers. This is usually the case for freelance workers such as photographers and consultants.

Is a professional bio the same as a resume?

No, a professional bio is not the same as a resume. A professional bio acts as a more personable way to tell your story. The bio still retains elements of a resume, particularly in its language and list of accomplishments. However, the bio, unlike the resume, should give a clear, concise picture of who you are and what you can do in a captivating manner.

What elements of a professional biography help you distinguish yourself from others?

The elements that can help distinguish your professional bio are skills and credentials that are unique to your field and branding statements. Remember that you’re looking to stand out from others in your field, so be sure to include accomplishments that relate to that.

Should you write your bio in past or present tense?

Professional bios are generally written in present tense. That being said, there isn’t any requirement that bios be in present or past tense, so long as the tense remains consistent throughout.

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Sky Ariella is a professional freelance writer, originally from New York. She has been featured on websites and online magazines covering topics in career, travel, and lifestyle. She received her BA in psychology from Hunter College.

Don Pippin is an executive and HR leader for Fortune 50 and 500 companies and startups. In 2008, Don launched area|Talent with a focus on helping clients identify their brand. As a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Digital Career Strategist, and Certified Personal Branding Strategist, Don guides clients through career transitions.

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• Professional Bio Template

How to Write a Short Professional Bio (With Examples and Templates)

3 key takeaways

• What a short professional bio is and why you need one
• What to include in a short bio to make it stand out and relevant to your audience
• Short professional bio examples, templates, and a faster way to write your biography with Teal's Professional Bio Generator

In a world where just about everyone is represented online, your short professional bio often serves as a first introduction.

Often, it's what employers or other professionals will use to form their initial impression. And how you present yourself can help influence whether someone invites you to connect, interview you, or simply move on.

Below, you'll learn what you need to write your bio and how to actually write one. You'll also find templates and some short professional bio examples to use as a guide.

Looking for a quicker way to a polished bio? Sign up for Teal for free and try the Professional Bio Generator.

What is a short professional bio? 

A short professional bio is exactly what it sounds like—a short professional biography that introduces yourself and gives a brief overview of your career and accomplishments. It gives future employees, colleagues, and anyone else you're networking with a more well-rounded picture of who you are.  

While "short" can be subjective, length often depends on the platform and the audience you're sharing your bio with. There's no one-size-fits-all, and you'll tailor the length based on where it's being shared—whether that’s on your personal website, LinkedIn profile, Twitter bio, or your resume.

What’s the difference between a professional bio and short professional bio?

A professional bio and a short professional bio both summarize your career, qualifications, and achievements, but each caters to different contexts and needs. 

A professional bio is a detailed account—that can span several paragraphs—and covers your:

• Career background
• Most noteworthy achievements and impact or results
• Skills you've developed or are developing
• Some personal insights

This version is appropriate for professional websites, long-form pitch documents, or networking platforms (like in your LinkedIn About Me section) where a more thorough introduction is valuable.

On the other hand, a short professional bio is a concise version that filters the most important information from your professional bio into key takeaways. A short bio:

• Communicates your core qualifications
• Briefly touches on your professional persona
• Is ideal for your resume, author bio, or speaking engagements
• Can be used across social media profiles like Twitter and Instagram

What to include in a short bio 

Your short bio should summarize the key takeaways from a longer, more rounded-out professional bio. Think of it as kind of an elevator pitch that highlights what you'd want your target audience (who doesn't know much—if anything—about you) to understand about your career so far.

Here are some things you'll want to address.

• Level of education, if relevant to the audience
• Years of experience in your field, if relevant to the audience
• Your current or former career title
• Major professional accomplishments with impact or goals
• Professional experience, skills, and area(s) of expertise

Now, if you're a student or making a pivot, like transitioning into a new field where you might not have relevant work experience, you'll focus more on your educational achievements (think relevant awards, projects, or volunteer experience) and the skills and knowledge you're developing.

What to include in a short bio if you’re a student

Even if you're still in school, there's plenty of information you can include in your bio, like: 

• Where you're from
• What university, trade school, or boot camp you're attending
• Your area of study or intended major
• Any clubs, teams, volunteering, or other extracurriculars you're a part of 
• Any internships you've completed
• Your career goals 
• Your availability

Generate your professional bio with AI

Want to save time? You can also use the Teal to generate multiple versions of your short professional bio.

How to write a short bio

There's no right or wrong way to write your own bio. Think of this next section as a guide, and remember: short professional bios are unique to each person.

Here are the things you might want to consider if you're ready to write your professional bio:

1. Choose your voice

You have the option to write your short bio from either a first or third-person POV.

In the first person, you'll use  "I, me, and my." In the third person, you'll refer to yourself using your name and preferred pronouns.

As a general rule, using the third person is typically considered more formal, while using the first person is more casual and personal.

 First-person example : "I'm a bestselling author. My work has been published in The New York Times."

Third-person example: "Zane Smith is a bestselling author. His work has been published in The New York Times."

If you want to write and store multiple versions of your short professional bio in different tones or even with different information, use Teal to write and save as many versions as you need for free.

2. Choose your tone

Language can convey different moods. Depending on the context and your personal brand , your bio can sound more buttoned-up or more relaxed and conversational.

These two sentences describe the same person but showcase very different tones and writing styles: 

Example 1: “A recent graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Sally is currently a consultant at XYZ Consulting based out of their New York office.” 

Example 2: “A recent UPenn grad, Sally swore off econ after years of hard classes only to end up as a consultant at a major firm — but don't worry, she loves it.” 

3. Start with your name and a current or recent role

This isn't a hard and fast rule, but to get your bio started, it's usually easiest to start with your name and current professional title or role. 

Example: “Zane Smith is currently the Demand Generation Manager at ABC Tech Company.”

If you're pivoting careers , you can list your most recent role and use your first sentence to say what you're looking to do next.

Example 1: “Previously the Demand Generation Manager at ABC Tech Company, Zane Smith is actively pursuing new opportunities in marketing management.” 

Example 2 : “Previously the Demand Generation Manager at ABC Tech Company, Zane Smith is now an aspiring 2nd grade teacher.” 

4. Share your accomplishments and achievements

Once you've introduced yourself and your current title, you can flow into your professional background, former job titles, and what you've done or aspire to do. Together, the first two sentences of your bio could read something like this: 

Example:  “Zane Smith is currently the Demand Generation Manager at ABC Tech Company. Previously, he was a Marketing Specialist at FGH Tech Company, where he grew paid traffic to their website by 500% year over year.” 

Pro Tip: Not sure where to start? Try the generative AI in the Teal Resume Builder . With Teal's AI, you can write individual achievement-based bullet points using a job description, keywords, or a custom prompt to articulate your accomplishments effectively and confidently.

5. Share your philosophy or “why” 

Self-promotion can feel incredibly uncomfortable, but it's important to make sure you don't undermine your value. Your “why,” the reason you do what you do every day, can be powerful and meaningful. Adding what gives you the spark to start each workday can set your own professional bio apart from others. 

Example: “Claire was inspired to pursue a career in elder law after volunteering in a nursing home throughout high school and college.” 

6. Add your personal touch

Even though your bio will be used in a professional capacity, it's okay to list a few personal details. We're more than just our jobs, and adding a few personal facts can help illustrate who you are outside of the office. 

Example: “When he's not working, Martin can be found tending to his spice garden and going on nature walks with his golden retriever.” 

Short professional bio examples

Examples of professional bios are invaluable because they provide a clear framework and inspiration for writing your own. They can also help you see how to condense years of experience into a few compelling sentences so you communicate the right details clearly, briefly, and full of impact. 

Short bio example for a personal website

"AUDREE KATE LOPEZ IS A FASHION STYLIST, EDITOR, INDUSTRY EXPERT AND INFLUENCER BASED IN NEW YORK. Audree began her professional career in the fashion departments at Glamour, O, the Oprah Magazine, Editorialist and Redbook magazines. She launched Audree Kate Studios in 2017 and worked on freelance projects at Marc Jacobs, Alice + Olivia, J.Crew and Club Monaco, joined the styling team at Alice + Olivia and became a contributing fashion editor for StyleCaster.com. Over the past few years Audree has styled for various publications, celebrities and retail brands. In 2016, Audree founded a digital course and community for fashion students called Fashion Fundamentals and has hosted workshops and classes around the country, and wrote an ebook titled Fashion Fundamentals."

Why it works: Audrey's bio immediately establishes her as a multifaceted professional within the fashion industry. It outlines her career trajectory and showcases broad experience and evolution, demonstrating growth and adaptability. The mention of initiatives and workshops adds a layer of approachability and commitment to education in her field, improving her appeal as an influencer and mentor.

Professional short bio example on LinkedIn

"Latina creator. Speaker. Tech Mentor. Christen is the Founder of the newly launched app Clara, a community that empowers creators through transparency, brand reviews, and discoverability. An industry vet, Christen has almost a decade of experience working with top content creators at social networking companies such as Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. She is a motivational speaker and mentor in the tech space who is passionate about helping people break into the industry through career advice and actionable content."

Why it works: This professional bio online is punchy and concise. It opens by noting Christen's titles and includes years of experience, giving her credibility while underscoring her heritage (which can resonate strongly with a diverse audience on LinkedIn). By focusing on her app, she not only showcases initiative but also aligns herself with trends in tech innovation. Rounding out her short bio are details of working with top content creators, establishing her as a seasoned industry pro.

Short professional bio example on social media

"Founder of Makelane, a private community for female DTC founders. 70K followers on TikTok where I analyze consumer brands"

Why it works: With only 160 characters to work with, Dulma’s Twitter bio is an example of brevity. It clearly outlines her two main pursuits: managing an online community and producing content for TikTok, making it easy for readers to gauge her interests and activities at a glance.

Company website short bio examples

"Meet our wonderful team We're a tight-knit group of curious creatures, always learning, and constantly seeking out new perspectives and ideas. Get to know our team—they're what makes Teachable, well, Teachable."

Why it works: "Meet our wonderful team" feels like a personal invitation to get to know the group, which can make visitors more inclined to engage. Describing them as "tight-knit" and "curious creatures" adds character and illustrates a vibrant and collaborative work environment. Highlighting that the team is "always learning" and "constantly seeking out new perspectives" positions Teachable as a dynamic and innovative company—committed to growth and evolution.

Tips for writing a short bio

Even though there aren't official rules for writing a bio, there are still some things you should strive for as well as steer clear of if you want to make the best possible impression. 

1. Tailor your professional bio to your audience

Whether it's potential employers, LinkedIn connections, Twitter followers, or visitors to your website, each platform and audience has its own expectations. Keep your information relevant and concise, focusing on what matters most to that intended audience.

2. Be authentic

Your bio is not the place to fudge the truth about who you are. Be honest about what you've done and where you're heading. Not telling the truth could bar you from achieving your goals and land you in hot water. 

3. Prioritize relevant information

We really hate to be the one to tell you this, but unfortunately, most people do not have the time or patience to read a five-paragraph essay about your life story. Sorry to break it to you! 

4. Be relatable

No matter how lofty your accomplishments are, staying grounded may help you establish stronger connections with others. This is where adding personal details and highlighting your personal brand can serve you well. Whether that's with a hobby, interest , or other role outside of work, being relatable can let others understand and get to know you better and determine if you would be a good fit for a company.  

5. Be professional

It's appropriate and expected for you to talk about your professional skills and accomplishments in your short bio. That said, there's a fine line between talking about your achievements and sounding arrogant. These two examples talk about the same accomplishment but come across differently: 

Example 1: “An accomplished pianist, Ryan was selected out of nearly 7,000 applicants to perform at the annual New York State School Music Association festival last spring.” 

Example 2: “An accomplished pianist, Ryan was the obvious choice to perform at the annual New York State School Music Association festival last spring (because he's the best).” 

Also, if you're revising your bio after a lay-off or termination, avoid sounding spiteful. As tempting as it might be, don't make negative statements or accusations in your short bio. Positivity and a good attitude will get you much further.

Short professional bio templates

If you prefer to plug and play or need a short bio in a pinch, don't worry; here are three short bio templates to get you started:

Short professional bio template for working professionals

[First name last name] is [currently/formerly] a [insert most recent job title] at [most recent company name] . A proud graduate of [school or university] , they were inspired to pursue a career in [field] after [explain what led to your decision to work in your industry] . Prior to working at [most recent job title], they were the [previous title] at [previous company], where they were responsible for [insert professional accomplishments here] . In their free time, they can be found [insert your favorite hobbies] . 

Short professional biography template for students

[First name last name] is a current [year] at [institution] majoring in [area(s) of study] . On campus, [First name] is actively involved in [activity name] , for which they [insert details about what you do for the activity you're involved in] . They most recently [interned/worked] at [organization name] , where they had the opportunity to [insert details about what you did on the job] . They intend to work in the [insert field name or industry] after graduation to follow their passion of [insert what you are passionate about] . In their spare time, they can be found [insert your favorite hobbies] . 

Short professional bio template for a gap in employment

[First name last name] is a [position/job title] with [number] years of experience in [specific skills or industry] . Following [briefly mention the reason for the employment gap] , [he/she/they] took some time off to focus on [briefly mention what they did during the gap, e.g., personal development, family obligations, health reasons] . During this time, [he/she/they] also [briefly mention any relevant skills or achievements acquired during the gap] . [Name] is now eager to return to the workforce and is excited to bring [specific skills/accomplishments] to [his/her/their] next role. With a proven track record of [list specific achievements or skills] , [Name] is confident in [his/her/their] ability to contribute to [specific industry/profession] and make an impact in [his/her/their] next position.

If you decide to use any of these biography templates, tweak it ever-so-slightly. Once you've finished entering your details, try adding a bit of personal flair.

Swap adjectives, remove anything that doesn't quite fit with your vibe or experiences, or append some more personal details as you see fit. Feel free to work off of any one of the bios from these resume examples to get a feel for how different styles can be used across roles.

Create your short professional bio with Teal

In a digital world where your online presence often speaks before you do, writing a good, short professional bio is more important than ever. It's the first glimpse potential employers, clients, or colleagues get of your professional life and persona, and the right presentation can open doors to new opportunities and connections. 

Teal's Professional Bio Generator saves time by speeding up the writing process with AI. Whether you're trying to impress potential employers, clients, or peers, Teal's generator adapts to your needs and experience, allowing you to create a unique short bio for any audience with one click.

Ready to write a professional bio with maximum impact in less time?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an example of a short professional bio.

An example of a short professional bio is: "Katie is a seasoned marketing professional with over 10 years of experience in digital advertising strategies. She has helped numerous brands achieve their online marketing goals, leading to increased visibility and 3x revenue YoY."

How do you write an impressive short bio?

To write an impressive short bio, focus on your most significant achievements, relevant skills, and experiences that set you apart. Keep it concise and tailored to your audience to engage and leave a memorable impression. You can also use the Teal  AI Resume Builder  Generative AI to craft a bio that highlights your unique professional journey and skills in an engaging way.

What is a short biography about yourself?

A short biography about yourself should concisely summarize your professional background, major accomplishments, and skills. For example, "I'm an innovative software developer with 5 years of experience in creating scalable applications, known for my ability to troubleshoot complex issues and my commitment to delivering high-quality software solutions."

Emily Polner

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30 Professional Bio Examples and Templates to Showcase Your Expertise

30 professional bio examples and templates to help you craft a compelling and impactful bio that showcases your expertise and personal brand

Table of Contents

Your professional bio is more than just a few lines of text on a website or social media profile. It's your chance to make a strong first impression and tell your unique story to the world. Whether you're a job seeker, an entrepreneur, a freelancer, or a professional in any field, a well-crafted bio can make a significant impact on your personal brand.

But how to write a professional bio that stands out and accurately represents who you are and what you've accomplished? That's exactly what we'll explore in this blog post. We'll provide you with valuable tips and practical examples of professional bio to help you in writing a professional bio that captures attention, highlights your expertise, and leaves a lasting impression.

Let's get started.

How to write a professional bio

Writing a professional bio can be a valuable tool for various purposes, such as a website, social media profiles, speaking engagements, or professional networking. It provides a concise and compelling summary of your background, expertise, achievements, and aspirations.

Here are tips for writing a professional bio

1. Identify your purpose

Determine the specific purpose and target audience for your bio. Are you writing for a professional website, LinkedIn profile, or conference brochure? Understanding your audience and their expectations will shape the tone and content of your bio.

2. Start with a strong opening

Begin your bio with a captivating and attention-grabbing statement. This can be a notable achievement, an intriguing personal detail, or a unique selling point that sets you apart. It should quickly engage the reader and make them want to learn more.

3. Provide relevant background information

Offer a concise overview of your professional background and expertise. Highlight your educational qualifications, relevant work experience, and any specialized training or certifications you possess. Focus on the aspects most relevant to your target audience.

4. Highlight key achievements

Showcase your significant accomplishments and milestones. These could include notable projects, awards, publications, successful campaigns, or any other achievements that demonstrate your skills and expertise. Use quantifiable data whenever possible to provide tangible evidence of your success.

5. Showcase your skills and expertise

Discuss your areas of specialization, core skills, and unique abilities that make you stand out in your field. Emphasize how these skills align with the needs and interests of your target audience. Use specific examples or testimonials to illustrate your capabilities.

6. Demonstrate your value proposition

Clearly articulate the value you bring to your audience. Explain how your expertise, experience, or products/services can solve their problems, meet their needs, or provide valuable solutions. Focus on the benefits you offer rather than just listing features.

7. Incorporate personal elements

While your bio should primarily focus on your professional accomplishments, including some personal details can help humanize your profile. Mentioning relevant hobbies, interests, or volunteer work can create a connection with your audience and showcase your well-rounded personality.

8. Keep it concise and focused

Aim for a bio length of around 150-300 words, depending on the platform and purpose. Use clear and concise language, avoiding jargon or technical terms that might be unfamiliar to your audience. Make every sentence count and ensure that each piece of information is relevant and impactful.

9. Edit and proofread

After writing your bio, review it carefully for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Ensure that it flows smoothly and is easy to read. Consider seeking feedback from trusted colleagues, mentors, or friends to get a fresh perspective and make improvements if needed.

10. Update regularly

Your professional bio should be a living document that evolves as you progress in your career. Keep it up to date by revisiting and revising it periodically to reflect your latest achievements, skills, and goals.

19 Professional bio examples

Here are five professional bio examples for different fields and purposes

1. Business professional bio example

John Smith is an experienced business strategist and consultant with over 10 years of experience in helping companies drive growth and maximize profitability. As the founder and CEO of XYZ Consulting, John has advised numerous Fortune 500 companies on strategic planning, market expansion, and organizational development. His expertise lies in leveraging data-driven insights to identify opportunities, streamline operations, and deliver sustainable results.

John holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and is a sought-after speaker at industry conferences. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, playing the piano, and volunteering with local business mentoring programs.

2. Creative professional bio example of graphic designer

Sarah Thompson is a passionate graphic designer and visual storyteller known for her innovative and captivating designs. With a keen eye for aesthetics and a deep understanding of branding, Sarah has worked with leading global brands, creating impactful visual identities and marketing campaigns. Her work has been featured in several design publications and has earned her multiple awards, including the prestigious AIGA Design Excellence Award.

Sarah holds a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design from the Rhode Island School of Design. When she's not immersed in design projects, she can be found exploring art galleries, experimenting with new art techniques, or traveling to gain inspiration from different cultures.

3. Medical professional bio example

Dr. Emily Davis is a board-certified cardiologist with a specialization in interventional cardiology. With over 15 years of clinical experience, Dr. Davis is dedicated to providing compassionate and personalized care to her patients. She is recognized for her expertise in complex coronary interventions and has performed hundreds of successful procedures, saving countless lives.

Dr. Davis completed her medical degree at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and pursued her fellowship training at the renowned Cleveland Clinic. She actively participates in medical research and has authored numerous publications in esteemed cardiology journals. Outside of her practice, Dr. Davis enjoys spending time with her family, practicing yoga, and advocating for heart health awareness.

4. Tech professional bio example

Alex Johnson is a seasoned software engineer and technology leader with a passion for innovation and problem-solving. With over 12 years of experience in the tech industry, Alex has led cross-functional teams in developing cutting-edge software solutions for global enterprises. His expertise spans full-stack development, cloud architecture, and machine learning.

Alex holds a Master's degree in Computer Science from Stanford University and has been granted several patents for his groundbreaking work. He frequently shares his knowledge as a guest lecturer at tech conferences and mentors aspiring developers through coding bootcamps. In his free time, Alex enjoys hiking, playing guitar, and experimenting with new coding languages.

5. Academic professional bio example

Dr. Jessica Rodriguez is a renowned professor of sociology and social justice advocate. With a Ph.D. in Sociology from Yale University, Dr. Rodriguez has dedicated her career to advancing research on inequality, race relations, and social change. Her scholarly work has been published in leading academic journals and has been influential in shaping public policy.

Dr. Rodriguez is a sought-after speaker at conferences and has delivered TEDx talks on issues of social justice and equity. She is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of scholars and serves as a faculty advisor for various student organizations. Outside of academia, Dr. Rodriguez enjoys exploring new cuisines, volunteering at local community centers, and practicing mindfulness meditation.

6. Legal professional bio example

Elizabeth Davis is a highly accomplished attorney specializing in intellectual property law. With a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School, Elizabeth has successfully represented clients in high-profile copyright and trademark infringement cases. Her expertise also extends to licensing agreements and intellectual property portfolio management.

Elizabeth is a partner at ABC Law Firm, where she heads the Intellectual Property Practice Group. She is a frequent speaker at legal conferences and serves as a mentor to young lawyers. In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys hiking, playing tennis, and volunteering with organizations that promote access to justice.

7. Marketing professional bio example

Jennifer Lee is a results-driven marketing strategist with a track record of driving revenue growth through innovative digital campaigns. With a deep understanding of consumer behavior and market trends, Jennifer has helped numerous companies expand their online presence and optimize their marketing efforts. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from New York University and is certified in Google Analytics and Facebook Ads.

Jennifer is a regular contributor to marketing publications and is often invited as a guest speaker at industry events. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, practicing yoga, and exploring new cuisines.

8. Education professional bio example

Dr. Michael Thompson is a dedicated educator and thought leader in the field of educational psychology. With a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Dr. Thompson has served as a professor at prestigious universities, where he specializes in child development, motivation, and educational policy. He is the author of several influential books on parenting and education, which have been featured on The New York Times Bestseller list.

Dr. Thompson is a sought-after keynote speaker at education conferences and has appeared as a guest expert on national television programs. In his spare time, he enjoys playing the guitar, hiking with his family, and volunteering with local literacy programs.

9. Finance professional bio example

Sarah Johnson is a seasoned financial advisor with over 15 years of experience in wealth management. As the founder and CEO of XYZ Financial Services, Sarah has helped countless individuals and families navigate complex financial landscapes and achieve their long-term financial goals. She holds an MBA in Finance from Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Sarah is a regular contributor to financial publications and has been featured in Forbes and The Wall Street Journal. Outside of work, she enjoys playing golf, practicing yoga, and serving as a board member for local nonprofits.

10. Journalism professional bio example

Emily Wilson is an award-winning investigative journalist with a passion for uncovering the truth and holding those in power accountable. With a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University, Emily has worked for leading news organizations, where she has covered a wide range of topics, including politics, social justice, and environmental issues.

Her in-depth reporting has led to significant policy changes and has earned her recognition from the Society of Professional Journalists. Emily is a regular contributor to national newspapers and frequently appears as a guest commentator on news programs. In her downtime, she enjoys hiking, reading non-fiction, and mentoring aspiring journalists.

11. Human Resources professional bio example

Michael Anderson is a seasoned human resources executive with a proven track record in talent acquisition and organizational development. With over 20 years of experience in the field, Michael has led HR teams at global companies, developing effective recruitment strategies and fostering a positive work culture.

He holds a Master's degree in Human Resources Management and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). Michael is a frequent speaker at HR conferences and is passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Outside of work, he enjoys playing golf, cooking, and volunteering with local career development organizations.

12. Healthcare professional bio example

Dr. Sarah Mitchell is a dedicated pediatrician committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to children of all ages. With a medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Dr. Mitchell has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating a wide range of pediatric conditions. She is known for her warm bedside manner and ability to establish strong relationships with her young patients and their families.

Dr. Mitchell is actively involved in medical research and has published articles in renowned pediatric journals. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, playing the violin, and volunteering at children's hospitals.

13. Sales professional bio example

David Turner is a dynamic sales executive with a proven record of exceeding targets and driving revenue growth. With a background in business development and relationship management, David has successfully built strategic partnerships and closed multi-million dollar deals for global corporations. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Sales and Marketing and is certified in advanced sales techniques.

David is a sought-after speaker at sales conferences and has developed training programs to help sales teams improve their performance. Outside of work, he enjoys playing basketball, attending live music events, and mentoring young professionals interested in pursuing a career in sales.

14. Nonprofit professional bio example

Rebecca Nguyen is a passionate advocate for social change and the executive director of a prominent nonprofit organization focused on community development. With a Master's degree in Nonprofit Management, Rebecca has dedicated her career to addressing issues of poverty, education, and affordable housing. She has successfully led initiatives that have transformed the lives of vulnerable populations and empowered communities.

Rebecca is a sought-after speaker at nonprofit conferences and serves on the boards of several community-based organizations. In her spare time, she enjoys practicing mindfulness meditation, exploring nature trails, and supporting local artists.

15. Entrepreneur professional bio example

Mark Thompson is a visionary entrepreneur and the founder of a successful tech startup that specializes in artificial intelligence solutions. With a strong background in computer science and a passion for innovation, Mark has developed groundbreaking AI algorithms that have revolutionized industries such as healthcare and finance. His entrepreneurial journey has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

Mark is an active mentor for aspiring entrepreneurs and frequently speaks at technology conferences. In his free time, he enjoys playing chess, attending hackathons, and supporting STEM education initiatives.

16. Real Estate professional bio example

Laura Johnson is a trusted real estate agent with extensive knowledge of the local market and a reputation for delivering exceptional service. With over a decade of experience in residential and commercial real estate, Laura has helped numerous clients navigate complex transactions and achieve their property goals. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Real Estate Management and is a certified Realtor®.

Laura's commitment to excellence has earned her recognition as a top producer in her agency. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, painting, and volunteering with organizations that promote affordable housing.

17. Fitness professional bio example

Daniel Ramirez is a dedicated fitness coach and personal trainer, committed to helping clients achieve their health and wellness goals. With a background in exercise science and multiple certifications in fitness training, Daniel has guided individuals of all fitness levels to success. He specializes in weight management, strength training, and functional fitness.

Daniel's personalized and motivating approach has garnered him a loyal following and positive testimonials. He regularly conducts fitness workshops and contributes articles to health and wellness publications. In his spare time, Daniel enjoys practicing yoga, hiking with his dog, and experimenting with new healthy recipes.

18. Public Relations professional bio example

Rachel Anderson is a seasoned public relations strategist with a passion for building strong brands and fostering positive media relationships. With a Master's degree in Strategic Communication, Rachel has led successful PR campaigns for global corporations and high-profile individuals. Her expertise lies in crafting compelling narratives, crisis management, and influencer partnerships.

Rachel's strategic approach and attention to detail have earned her recognition in the industry. She frequently shares her insights as a guest lecturer at communications conferences and mentors aspiring PR professionals. Outside of work, Rachel enjoys attending cultural events, exploring art museums, and volunteering with nonprofit organizations.

19. Culinary professional bio example

Chef Alex Torres is a highly acclaimed chef with a talent for creating culinary experiences that blend innovation and tradition. With formal training at prestigious culinary institutes and experience working in Michelin-starred restaurants, Chef Torres has elevated the dining scene with his exquisite dishes. He has been featured in prominent food publications and has received numerous accolades for his culinary prowess.

Chef Torres is dedicated to using locally sourced ingredients and promoting sustainable cooking practices. In addition to his culinary pursuits, he enjoys traveling, foraging for unique ingredients, and mentoring aspiring chefs.

Ensure to customize these examples to align with your own professional background, accomplishments, and aspirations. A professional bio should reflect your individuality and showcase your expertise and impact in your chosen field.

6 Short Professional Bio templates for experienced professionals

Here are 6 short professional bio example templates for experience professionals.

Professional bio template 1

With over 10 years of experience in the field, I am a seasoned marketing professional specializing in digital strategy and brand management. I have successfully executed numerous integrated marketing campaigns for both local and international clients, driving significant growth and revenue. I am highly skilled in market research, data analysis, and customer segmentation, enabling me to develop tailored marketing strategies that resonate with target audiences. Known for my creative thinking, strong leadership abilities, and excellent communication skills, I thrive in fast-paced environments and deliver results that exceed expectations.

Professional bio template 2

As a dedicated software engineer, I have a solid background in developing innovative solutions for complex business challenges. With expertise in multiple programming languages and frameworks, I have successfully delivered robust software applications for diverse industries, including finance, healthcare, and e-commerce. I am passionate about writing clean, efficient code and staying updated with the latest industry trends. With strong problem-solving skills and a keen eye for detail, I consistently deliver high-quality projects on time and within budget, earning the trust and satisfaction of clients and stakeholders.

Professional bio template 3

With a background in finance and accounting, I am a highly skilled professional with a proven track record in financial analysis and risk management. Over the years, I have successfully guided organizations through complex financial landscapes, analyzing market trends, and identifying opportunities for growth. My expertise lies in financial modeling, budgeting, and forecasting, as well as in implementing robust internal controls. With a strong attention to detail and exceptional analytical abilities, I provide strategic insights that drive sound decision-making and contribute to long-term business success.

Professional bio template 4

With a background in human resources and talent management, I am a results-oriented professional specializing in recruitment and employee development. I have successfully sourced and placed top-tier candidates across various industries, utilizing innovative sourcing strategies and conducting comprehensive interviews. Additionally, I have designed and implemented training programs that enhance employee performance and engagement. Known for my strong interpersonal skills and ability to build rapport, I excel at fostering a positive and productive work environment.

Professional bio template 5

As a skilled project manager, I have a proven track record of delivering complex projects on time and within budget. I possess a strong understanding of project management methodologies and tools, allowing me to effectively plan, execute, and monitor projects from initiation to closure. With excellent communication and leadership abilities, I thrive in cross-functional teams, coordinating resources and ensuring seamless collaboration. Known for my problem-solving skills and ability to mitigate risks, I consistently drive successful project outcomes.

Professional bio template 6

With a background in sales and business development, I am a dynamic professional experienced in driving revenue growth and building strategic partnerships. I possess a deep understanding of market dynamics and customer needs, enabling me to identify new business opportunities and develop tailored sales strategies. I excel at building and maintaining long-term relationships with clients, utilizing strong negotiation and closing skills. With a passion for achieving sales targets and a proactive approach, I consistently exceed expectations and contribute to overall business success.

5 Short professional bio examples for freshers

Here are 5 short professional bio examples for freshers.

A results-oriented and enthusiastic entry-level professional seeking a challenging position in [industry/field]. With a strong educational background in [relevant degree/program], I possess a solid foundation in [key skills/competencies]. Eager to contribute my knowledge and learn from experienced professionals, I am a quick learner with excellent problem-solving abilities. I am committed to delivering high-quality work and thrive in collaborative environments that foster growth and innovation.

A proactive and detail-oriented recent graduate with a degree in [relevant field]. I am passionate about starting my career in [industry/field] and utilizing my strong analytical and communication skills to contribute to organizational success. With a keen eye for detail and a dedication to continuous improvement, I am eager to learn from experienced professionals and adapt to new technologies. Seeking an entry-level position that provides opportunities for growth and development.

A highly motivated and adaptable professional with a degree in [relevant field] seeking an entry-level position in [industry/field]. Equipped with strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills, I am eager to apply my knowledge and contribute to a dynamic organization. With a passion for innovation and a willingness to learn, I am committed to delivering results and exceeding expectations. I thrive in fast-paced environments and possess excellent teamwork and communication abilities.

A dedicated and proactive recent graduate with a degree in [relevant field]. I am eager to kickstart my career in [industry/field] and make a positive impact. With strong problem-solving abilities and a keen eye for detail, I am committed to delivering exceptional work. Seeking an entry-level position where I can contribute my skills in [specific area] and learn from experienced professionals in order to grow and excel in my field.

A detail-oriented and ambitious graduate with a strong academic background in [relevant field]. Equipped with a solid foundation in [key skills/competencies], I am ready to embark on a successful career in [industry/field]. With a proactive and result-driven approach, I am eager to contribute my abilities in [specific area] to an organization that values innovation and growth. Seeking an entry-level position where I can apply my knowledge, learn from experienced professionals, and make a meaningful contribution.

A professional bio is a powerful tool for showcasing your skills, experience, and unique personality. By following the tips and examples we've provided in this blog post, you can create a compelling bio that leaves a lasting impression on your audience.

Remember to keep your bio concise and focused, highlighting your most relevant achievements and qualifications. Use a professional tone and tailor your bio to suit your target audience. Don't be afraid to inject a bit of personality and showcase your passions and interests.

Lastly, don't forget to update your bio regularly as your career progresses and new accomplishments come your way. A well-maintained and thoughtfully written professional bio can open doors, create opportunities, and help you stand out in a competitive professional landscape.

So, take the time to craft a bio that truly represents who you are and what you bring to the table. Invest in your personal brand and watch as your professional bio becomes a powerful tool in your journey to success.

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How to Write a Short Professional Bio (With Templates and Examples)

Learn how to write a bio for you or your business to help you to make a good impression online.

First impressions count, even online. That’s why your professional bio is one of the most crucial marketing materials you’ll ever write.

Whether it’s on Twitter, LinkedIn, your online portfolio, or your employer’s website, your professional bio is the first thing people will read to understand who you are and what you do.

What you highlight will affect how readers perceive you—as a job applicant, public speaker, author, or entrepreneur.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to write a bio for a freelance business website, portfolio, or an employer’s website.

I’ll share some helpful professional bio templates and bio examples that’ll make the process even easier. Plus, I’ll quickly discuss what to do when using your bio with a resume.

Benefits and Uses of a Short Professional Bio

Short professional bios are gaining more popularity, not only because people’s attention spans are getting shorter but also because more platforms are favoring the shorter format.

Twitter, for instance, has a 160-character limit on user bios. Author bylines on many websites are limited to two to three sentences as well, while LinkedIn doesn’t show your whole summary unless the user clicks “ show more. ”

Bios, in general, don’t have a strict word count as it depends on the medium or platform used. In general, however, a ‘micro bio’ is usually two to three short sentences, similar to those in Twitter and website bylines, while a short bio may have about 100 words or three to five short paragraphs.

Where to Use a Short Professional Bio

• ‘About the author’ section at the back of your book
• LinkedIn summary
• Author byline in your website or guest posts
• Speaker One Sheet
• ‘Meet our Team’ or ‘About us’ page of your employer’s website

The options listed above are where you can use a short professional bio as it’s written. But you can also repurpose or customize your bio for in-person events, such as:

• As an elevator speech on networking events
• When someone introduces you as a speaker for an event

The Challenge

Short professional bios are hard to write because of their importance and word-count limitations.

Writing about what makes you worthy of other people’s attention while making sure you don’t sound pompous is like crossing a tightrope.

While there are many ways to write a bio, from professional to light and humorous, the good ones all follow a similar format that’s easy to follow if you’ve got all the needed information.

Read the step-by-step instructions and follow along using the short bio template below.

Professional Bio Template A: Corporate Bio for Employees and Applicants

[Name] is a [your professional title] who helps [your target audience] to [the problems or goals of your target audience].

Before starting a [business or freelance work], [Name] worked [number] of years as a [relevant job title 1] and a [relevant job title 2]. After a successful career helping [sub-niche or branch of your target market 1] (e.g. fitness trainers, residential leasing agents, make-up artists, aspiring authors) and [sub-niche of your target market 2], [Name] now [appropriate action verb] (e.g. trains, coaches, advises) them on how to [specific tasks you do for your target market].

[Name] enjoys [hobby 1] and [hobby 2].

[Name] is available for [your type of work or output] and private consultations. You can reach [Name] at [phone number] or [email address].

Here’s what this professional bio template looks like when filled in:

“Lorie Smith is a Loan Officer at XYZ Bank, where Lorie processes loan applications from start to finish, including mortgage refinancing and educating clients about their different financing options. Lorie has worked with reputable real estate agencies, including ReMax, Century 21, and Coldwell Banker, among others. Lorie helps homeowners and new buyers secure a loan that suits their budget and goals. You can expect 100% transparency, no horror stories, and nasty surprises when working with Lorie. Lorie is a cat-lover and CMAS diver from Michigan. Please email [email protected] or go to ExampleDomain.com to contact Lorie.”

Professional Bio Template B: For Speakers, Freelancers, and Entrepreneurs

Before starting a [business or freelance work], [Name] worked [number] of years as a [relevant job title 1] and a [relevant job title 2]. After a successful career helping [sub-niche or branch of your target market 1] (e.g. fitness trainers, residential leasing agents, make-up artists, aspiring authors) and [sub-niche of your target market 2], [Name] now [appropriate action verb] (e.g. trains, coaches, advises) them on how to [specific tasks you do for your target market].

Here’s an example of the corporate bio template in use:

Kate Hendricks is a Freelance Writer and Social Media Manager who helps finance professionals and Fin-tech startups build an audience and get more paying clients online. Before starting a writing business, Kate spent six years as a Bank Teller and Virtual Assistant for financial companies in the U.S. and U.K. After a successful career helping small banks and real estate agencies, Katie now helps them write marketing copy for their products and services. Kate enjoys trying new sports (archery, anyone?) and managing a small property rental business. Kate’s available for marketing and writing projects, as well as private consultations. You can reach Kate at [email protected] .

How to Write a Bio

Now we’ll go into detail on how to write a short bio. The two templates above serve only as a framework, so feel free to add or delete some sentences as you see fit.

Use the step-by-step instructions below as a general guideline for customizing the short bio templates above, or write one from scratch.

Step 1. Gather Information and Inspiration

Answer the questions below to gather the information you’ll need to customize your professional bio.

• Who will read your bio? This depends on when and how it will be used. A bio for a freelance designer’s website should be different than the one used in your employer’s website, even if you’ve got the same job function in both cases. Your employer won’t appreciate you for soliciting work using their website. Write one bio per target audience.
• What does your audience need to know? For employees or job applicants, recruiters will need to know your professional experience, skills, and academic background. For entrepreneurs, this refers to the products or services you offer and how they make your customers’ lives easier. To effectively communicate with your target audience, you can leverage a  keyword research tool  to uncover the specific language they use when searching for information related to your industry.
• What do you want your audience to know? This isn’t directly about your skills, products, or services. It’s about the underlying feelings you evoke in the people working with you. For instance, an accountant’s clients will want to work with someone trustworthy. Trainers, meanwhile, are sought after for their patience and creativity in interacting with students.
• What’s in it for your readers? Specify the problem or goal your audience can accomplish with your help.
• What’s your story? Tell a story about how you came into your current work to show readers what sets you apart from other professionals. You can also write about your core values or why you’re in that business.
• What do you want them to do? State how you prefer readers to contact you.

Gathering all this information before you start writing prevents writer’s block. But if that doesn’t work, try searching for bios of people in your industry to get some ideas.

Take note of the phrases or words you like, so you can use them later (with some editing) in your own bio.

Step 2. Start With Your Name

Write your name at the start or first sentence of your bio so people will immediately realize what they’re reading.

Step 3. Explain Your Business or Occupation

Just like a cover letter or resume, your business or occupation should be mentioned early on to get the reader’s attention—or give them a chance to stop reading in case you’re not the one they’re looking for.

Your job or business should be clearly explained in the first two sentences of your short professional bio. Don’t leave this to later paragraphs because it might cause some readers to lose interest.

Some professional bios replace job titles with value proposition statements, which explain the problems you solve for your target market and why people should choose you over your competitors. While it’s attention-grabbing, it may be confusing for some of your readers.

For instance, your value proposition might be to increase website traffic organically, but it’s not clear whether you can do that because you’re a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Specialist or a Content Marketer. Both occupations can increase a website’s traffic, but the reader might be looking for a particular skill set—SEO, blogging, or something else.

Use a value proposition if you want to stand out, but don’t forget to mention your job title.

Here are some tips to help: How to Define Your Core Brand Values (And Why You Should)

Step 4. Add Personal Interests and Other Humanizing Details

This is a subtle way to show the reader that you’re a real person. If you’ve got something in common with your reader or a fascinating hobby, that may prompt more readers to contact you.

Avoid humor, unless you’re absolutely sure that whoever reads your professional bio will appreciate it. This will depend on the media or platform where your bio is published, as well as its intended audience.

Avoid sounding too cynical of yourself, as it may come off as fake.

Intimate or embarrassing details about yourself should be kept secret, no matter how funny or attention-grabbing it is, as you never know how people might react.

When not traveling, Mark enjoys practicing for marathons, going on hikes, and planning for the next adventure with the wife and kids.

Wondering how to define your personal values? Get more insights from this tutorial .

Step 5. Contact Details and Call to Action

End with your contact information and a simple call to action asking people to get in touch with you. Phone numbers are totally optional, but email is a must.

Feel free to replace your phone number with a link to your website.

Short bio examples that follow the above guidelines:

Here’s a premium creative portfolio template with space to add your short bio and social media logos:

Here’s the bio of a Full-stack Engineer :

And the micro-bio of an author for his author page on Amazon:

Tips for Writing a Concise Yet Appealing Professional Bio

Even with the guidelines and templates above, writing a professional bio can be quite an undertaking. I know it was for me when I first wrote the about page of my website.

Use the writing tips below to write an authentic yet confident-sounding bio that you can be proud of.

1. Get Real

Realize that a professional bio is meant to make you look like a confident and skilled person. You’re not bragging. Just write about who you are and what you can do.

You’re doing a service by telling others what you can do for them. If they need someone with your skills and they find your bio, that’s a win-win. That person will look at you as a solution, not a braggart.

2. Show, Don’t Tell

The same concept applies when writing resumes. Use action verbs and always include quantifiable or specific accomplishments when possible.

Instead of claiming you’re a genius developer, write about the groundbreaking programs you created.

3. Short Bios Are Like Movie Trailers

Movie trailers only show the exciting and intriguing scenes of a movie, right? The same goes for a professional bio, especially the short and micro formats.

You may have tons of accomplishments in different areas of your career or business, so it’s important to pick the ones that will make your readers “ ooh ” as they read it. Perhaps you’ve been awarded top designer in your company two years in a row, and your work has been featured in a local magazine for artists, as well as several podcasts with a small audience.

Present your short bio in different slides of a premium PowerPoint portfolio template . Give sequence to your story.

Leave out the podcasts without brand recognition, and if you really have to, ditch the company award as well. This doesn’t mean that the other accolades aren’t worthy; it’s just that you need to conserve space for other information.

Using Your Short Bio With a Resume

If you have to submit your professional bio to a website, you may also be asked for a resume.

If this happens to you, your resume needs to be as professional as your short bio. The best way to make sure that your resume makes the right impression is to use a resume template.

Write and Revise

Professional bios are meant to be updated every now and then. Don’t worry if the first one you write after reading this tutorial isn’t as perfect as you hoped it would be. You can always revise your current corporate bio or write a new one next time someone requests it.

Related Articles

How to Write a Short Bio: 5 Examples and Templates

By Status.net Editorial Team on June 16, 2023 — 12 minutes to read

• How to Write a Short Bio Part 1
• What to Include in a Short Professional Bio Part 2
• Example of a Formal Short Bio Part 3
• Example of a Casual Short Bio Part 4
• Examples of Well-Written Short Bios Part 5
• Short Bio: Best Templates Part 6
• Tips for Writing a Short Bio Part 7
• Optimizing Your Bio for Different Platforms Part 8

A short bio is a concise and informative summary of your professional background, accomplishments, and personal interests. It’s an opportunity for you to introduce yourself to others, whether it’s for networking, job applications, or social media profiles. By writing a short bio, you allow others to quickly understand your expertise, strengths, and personality.

As you write your short bio, consider your audience and tailor the content accordingly. You might want to have different versions of your bio for varying contexts, such as a professional conference, a job application, or a social media platform. Regardless of the situation, strive to be authentic and maintain a tone that reflects your personality while also adhering to professional standards.

Part 1 How to Write a Short Bio

When writing a short bio, first focus on being concise and relevant. A short bio should be approximately 4-6 sentences or about 150 words. Be sure to highlight your achievements, experience, and expertise with confidence and clarity.

To start, introduce yourself briefly, including your name, title, and current role or profession. Next, mention your most significant accomplishments in your field thus far. This can include awards, certifications, publications, or any other relevant milestones. Discuss your current work and projects, providing the reader with a snapshot of your professional life. Make sure to emphasize your unique strengths and specialties. Then, touch upon your education or any other credentials that showcase your expertise.

“Jeremiah Smith, an award-winning graphic designer, specializes in creating visually stunning websites and marketing materials for a diverse clientele. With over 10 years of experience, Jeremiah has led branding projects for major corporations and small businesses alike, receiving accolades for his innovative design solutions. Currently, he serves as the Creative Director at X Design Studio, where he is dedicated to helping clients grow their digital presence. Jeremiah holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the prestigious Art Institute of Chicago.”

For a stronger impact, customize your short bio by tailoring it to the specific platform, audience, or purpose. By prioritizing information and emphasizing the most relevant points, you can create a brief, engaging bio that showcases your unique skills and accomplishments.

Part 2 What to Include in a Short Professional Bio

• Your job title and current role : Start by mentioning your current role and the industry you’re working in. This helps to establish your expertise and gives readers an immediate understanding of your professional focus.
• Career accomplishments and milestones : Highlight a few significant achievements in your career thus far. These can be successful projects, promotions, or awards you’ve received. Be specific about what you’ve accomplished and how it demonstrates your expertise.
• Skills and qualifications : Briefly mention the key skills and qualifications you possess that make you an expert in your field. This can include technical abilities, soft skills, certifications, or degrees.
• Interests and personal touch : Add a few personal details that showcase your interests and passions outside of work. This can humanize your professional persona and help you connect with readers on a more personal level. However, be careful not to share too much personal information.
• LinkedIn and networking opportunities : Include a link to your LinkedIn profile or other professional social media accounts. This provides readers with an opportunity to connect with you and discover more about your background.

To present this information effectively, write your short professional bio in the third person and maintain a confident, knowledgeable, and clear tone of voice. Keep the content concise and easy to understand by breaking it into paragraphs and using formatting elements such as bullet points and bold text when necessary.

Here is one more example of a well-crafted short professional bio:

“John Smith is a seasoned marketing manager with over 10 years of experience in the tech industry. He currently leads product marketing efforts at X Company, where he has successfully launched new products and significantly increased market share.

John holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and is certified in digital marketing. His expertise includes strategic planning, content creation, and driving brand awareness through innovative campaigns.

In his free time, John enjoys hiking, photography, and volunteering at the local animal shelter. Connect with him on LinkedIn to learn more about his professional experience and accomplishments.”

Taking Into Account Personal and Professional Aspects

Try to strike a balance between your personal and professional aspects:

• Make sure to mention any relevant professional accomplishments and skills that showcase your expertise in your field. If you are a student or a working professional, add details about your university, current position, or professional experiences that give readers an insight into your capabilities.
• Don’t forget to add a touch of personality to your bio. Including personal details, interests, and hobbies will make you more relatable and create a connection with your audience. However, try to keep these personal elements brief and relevant to your overall bio. For example, if you are writing a bio for a personal website or Twitter, you could mention that you are an avid painter or a dedicated volunteer at a local animal shelter.

When writing in the second person, use short paragraphs to make your bio easy to read and understand. For instance:

• Full name: Briefly mention your full name at the beginning of your bio.
• Professional skills: List your core skills and accomplishments in bullet points or a table format.
• Personal interests: Share some hobbies or interests related to your profession or that showcase your values.
• Personal goals or mission statement: Include a sentence or two about your professional philosophy and core values to give readers a sense of your personal brand.

Related: How to Write a Personal Mission Statement (20 Examples)

Be cautious with the contact information you provide, especially if your bio will be accessible to the public on your personal website or social media profiles. Make sure only the necessary details are included to avoid any privacy concerns.

In summary, your short bio should be a reflection of both your personal and professional self. Showcase your skills and accomplishments while adding personal touches to make it engaging and relatable. Keep the text concise, use appropriate formatting, and remember to maintain a confident, knowledgeable, neutral, and clear tone throughout your bio.

Related: What Are Your Values? How to Discover Your Values

Selecting the Tone for Your Short Bio

Selecting the right tone for your short bio is crucial to portraying yourself in the way you want to be perceived. Consider the context in which the bio will be read and choose a tone accordingly. There are two main tones you can adopt: formal and casual.

Part 3 Example of a Formal Short Bio

Formal Tone : If you’re writing a bio for a professional context, such as a job, conference, or publication, opt for a formal tone. This means using more sophisticated language, avoiding slang, and maintaining a professional vibe throughout the bio. To achieve this, write in complete sentences, utilize proper grammar and punctuation, and highlight your achievements and expertise. Be sure to remain confident and clear in your writing. Example: “Dr. Jane Doe is a renowned expert in the field of molecular biology, with over 15 years of research experience to her credit. As the recipient of several prestigious awards, Dr. Doe’s groundbreaking work has had a significant impact on the scientific community.”

Part 4 Example of a Casual Short Bio

Casual Tone : A casual tone works well for less formal situations, such as bios on personal websites, blogs, or social media profiles. Here, you can use more relaxed language and showcase your personality. However, it’s still important to sound knowledgeable and approachable. Feel free to use contractions, incorporate humor, and speak directly to your audience to create an engaging tone.

“Hey there! I’m John, a travel enthusiast who loves exploring new cultures and tasting exotic dishes. When I’m not backpacking across the globe, you can find me geeking out about the latest tech gadgets or sipping on a well-crafted cocktail.”

In both cases, whether formal or casual, always ensure that your voice is confident, neutral, and clear. Remember to keep it concise, avoid exaggeration or false claims, and maintain a second-person point of view.

Part 5 Examples of Well-Written Short Bios

Short bio example 1.

Jane Smith is a marketing expert with over 10 years of experience in helping brands elevate their online presence. With a passion for storytelling, Jane excels in creating content that engages and inspires. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, photography, and exploring her city’s local coffee shops. Connect with Jane on LinkedIn or follow her on Twitter @JaneSmith.

Short Bio Example 2

John Doe is an experienced software engineer with a knack for developing cutting-edge applications. Specializing in full-stack web development, John’s expertise lies in JavaScript, Python, and Node.js. When he’s not coding, John can be found playing the guitar, tutoring local students in programming, or cheering on his favorite esports team.

Part 6 Short Bio: Best Templates

Short bio template 1.

[Your Name] is a [industry or profession] expert with [number of years] of experience in [specific skills or areas of expertise]. [He/She/They] specializes in [technical skills or industry knowledge] and has a passion for [relevant interests]. In [his/her/their] free time, [your name] enjoys [hobbies or activities]. Connect with [your name] on [social media platforms] or through [his/her/their] website.

Short Bio Template 2

As a [occupation or field], [Your Name] incorporates [unique qualities or skills] to produce [specific type of work]. With a background in [relevant experience], [He/She/They] has been able to [achievement or accomplishment] through [personal path or passion]. When not [working or creating], [Your Name] spends [his/her/their] time [hobbies or activities], always seeking new inspiration.

[Your name] is a [profession or role] with a background in [relevant expertise or industry]. [He/She/They] earned a [degree] in [field] from [institution]. [Your name] has [number of years] experience in [profession/industry], providing [valuable service or skill]. Outside of work, [your name] enjoys [hobbies or personal interests]. Connect with [your name] on [social media platform] or visit [your website or portfolio].

Customize these examples and templates to fit your own unique skills, experiences, and personality. Using a second person point of view, focus on the key aspects you want your audience to know about. Be confident and transparent about your achievements and interests, and let your short bio speak for itself. Happy writing!

Part 7 Tips for Writing a Short Bio

• Know your target audience : Consider the people who will be reading your bio and focus on the information that will be most relevant to them. Tailor your bio to best serve their needs and expectations.
• Highlight your accomplishments : Share information on your achievements, awards, and notable experiences. This will give your audience an understanding of your expertise and success in your field.
• Include your goals and mission statement : Tell your audience what drives you and what you hope to achieve. This can help create a connection with the reader and showcase your dedication to your work.
• Maintain a professional tone : Write in a clear and concise manner, avoiding casual language and slang. A confident and knowledgeable tone will convey your competence in your field.
• Keep personal information to a minimum : While you may choose to mention some personal tidbits, be mindful of what you share. Focus on information that enhances your professional image, rather than oversharing personal details.
• Promote your brand and company : If you represent a business or have a personal brand, mention your company name and mission statement. This can help reinforce your brand identity and make a stronger impression on your audience.
• Prioritize transparency and authenticity : Be honest about your experience and qualifications. Avoid exaggerating or making false claims in order to maintain trust with your audience.
• Limit self-promotion : While it’s important to show off your accomplishments, be sure to keep the focus on meaningful information rather than excessive self-promotion. This will help engage readers and build credibility.
• Use formatting to enhance readability : Break up your bio into paragraphs, use bullet points for lists, and bold text for important details. This will make it easier for your audience to read and understand your bio.
• Include contact information : Provide a way for your audience to get in touch with you, whether it’s an email address, phone number, or a link to your website.

Part 8 Optimizing Your Bio for Different Platforms

On LinkedIn , focus on your professional achievements and skills. Use bullet points or a table to highlight your most significant accomplishments. Feel free to include any relevant certifications, courses, or awards. Remember that LinkedIn is a professional networking platform, so maintaining a professional tone is crucial.

For a resume , your bio should be concise and focus on summarizing your career history and specific expertise. Make it easy for potential employers to grasp your main strengths quickly. Use bold text to emphasize crucial information, such as your job title, years of experience, or industry-specific skills.

On a personal website , you have more freedom to express your personality and showcase unique aspects of your life. Consider adding anecdotes, hobbies, or personal achievements to give visitors a glimpse of who you are outside of your professional life. You can also touch on your professional capabilities but keep it concise.

For Twitter , keep in mind the character limit for bios and make every word count. Capture your profession or industry, and maybe add a touch of your personality or interests through emojis or hashtags. It’s common to see authors and celebrities mention their latest projects, books, or achievements here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the essential elements of a short bio.

A short bio should include:

• Your name and current role or profession.
• Brief background information including education and relevant work experience.
• Notable accomplishments or skills relevant to your profession.
• Personal interests or ambitions that showcase your personality.
• A call-to-action, such as directing readers to your portfolio or LinkedIn profile.

How can I create a compelling short professional bio?

To create a compelling short professional bio, follow these steps:

• Start strong with a clear and concise introduction.
• Focus on your most relevant qualifications and experience.
• Highlight key achievements and successes.
• Provide a personal touch that showcases your unique attributes.
• Keep it brief and easy to read, aiming for around 100-150 words.

What are some tips to make my short bio stand out?

• Use vivid language and strong, active verbs.
• Tailor your bio to your audience, emphasizing information that is most relevant to them.
• Share a unique or unexpected personal interest to pique interest.
• Edit and proofread your bio carefully, ensuring it is free of errors and reads smoothly.

How can I tailor my short bio to different contexts?

Adjust your short bio for different contexts by:

• Focusing on relevant skills, experience, or accomplishments for each specific audience.
• Adjusting the tone or language to suit the platform (e.g., more casual for a social media profile or more formal for a conference bio).
• Emphasizing specific personal interests or accomplishments that align with the context or audience.
• Updating your call-to-action as needed to direct readers to relevant content or profiles.

Related: 150+ Awesome Examples of Personal Values

• 20 Inspiring Examples: How to Write a Personal Mission Statement
• How to Live By Your Values

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How To Write a Professional Bio (With Templates & Examples)

So, you’ve been asked for your biography. As a professional, you almost surely recognize the need for a resume , and maybe you even have an up-to-date resume ready to be used with very little notice (if you don’t, you should!). But a biography ? If you are like most of the professionals we work with at Distinctive Career Services , you didn’t even know you needed one until you were asked for it.

While C-suite executives and board candidates might be called on to provide a biography more frequently, even new college graduates can benefit from a professional biography. Just some of the situations in which a bio might be needed include the following:

If you are a public speaker or presenting in any capacity, you may be asked for a bio

If you are an author, you will often need a bio

Entrepreneurs and business owners will often need a bio for bid packages, proposals, and when seeking investors or other funding

Independent consultants and freelancers can stand out to prospective clients with a well-crafted bio

Consultants working in a larger professional services firm will often be asked for a bio

Any professional service provider such as lawyers and financial advisors

People seeking a seat on a board of directors (both for-profit and nonprofit boards)

Executives and other business leaders will often be asked for a bio

Really, when you consider that biographies can be used for networking purposes , as an interview leave-behind , when you publish anything, when you are speaking or presenting, on a website (for example, an “About Me” page or a business page introducing key employees of your employer), as part of a conference program (as a presenter or attendee), as a download from social media accounts , and much more, you begin to realize that almost any professional will benefit from having a well-written biography as part of their career marketing portfolio.

What Is a Professional Bio & How Is It Different From Your Resume?

Simply put, a biography is a narrative document, almost never longer than one page, that is written in the third-person perspective.

A well-written biography provides an attention-grabbing and meaningful introduction to you by telling your story in a way that illustrates your professional value.

But, isn’t that what a resume does ? And your LinkedIn profile?

The answer is yes. Your biography, your resume , and your LinkedIn profile are all marketing pieces intended to sell you as THE person capable of meeting the needs of your target audience. They all should articulate your personal brand and tell your career story .

Still, there are significant differences and each serves its own purpose (although there is overlap and all complement the other). For a detailed comparison, see the infographic on this page.

The Best Biography is a Focused Biography

Your biography is not meant to be everything to all people. Consider it more of a living document that can be customized and edited for various situations .

Many people mistakenly refer to executive biographies, board biographies , and professional biographies as if they are three different documents. They are not.

Sure, they are different in wording, but that difference has to do with the way they are focused and the audience to whom they are written to appeal. Regardless of whether you are writing your resume , your LinkedIn profile, or any type of professional biography, it is essential that you know your audience and what will interest them and engage them.

For example, the biography of a CEO seeking a public company board position is going to be different than the bio of a sales executive who is speaking at an industry association’s annual conference. The bio that an independent consultant provides to prospective clients will be different as well. Consider even that the biography of a consultant who is targeting engagements with startup companies will be very different than the biography of a consultant targeting engagements with Fortune 500 companies. The reason? Simple. The CEO of a startup is facing very different challenges than the CEO of a Fortune 500. Your biography should be written to speak to the needs of the audience you are targeting .

The bottom line: know your focus, know what your audience is looking for, and then craft the story conveyed in your bio to speak to those needs. The value that your audience perceives in you is directly tied to your story and your story is one of the most important factors in getting people to know you, like you, and trust you.

7 Expert Tips For How to Write Your Professional Bio

First, think about the purpose for which you are writing your biography. Who will be reading it? What are your target audience’s challenges, problems, goals, and/or needs? What type of information will likely appeal to them?

Take a look at your entire career from a holistic perspective and mine for the stories. Think about each of your employers and how you added value. What are the common threads or “themes”? These themes will often help you pinpoint your  unique value proposition . How will your unique value proposition be meaningful and  solve the problems /meet the needs of your target audience? You must know the answer to this question before sitting down to write your biography.

Don’t just repeat the details in your resume . Facts are stepping stones to your personal story, they are not the end goal. It is okay to leave out your early career details or other roles that don’t help you tell your story. It is okay to structure and order your biography in whatever order makes the most sense for your story. While the overall message and branding should match, your biography should be written to tell a more personally revealing and narrative story in which your unique style shines through, and your voice is heard.

You need to hook the reader right from the beginning. There are a variety of writing strategies that you can experiment with in your own bio to capture the readers’ attention immediately. Here are a few ideas:

Try leading with a sentence that makes it immediately clear to the reader that you understand their problems, challenges, and needs and are the ideal person to solve them . Here is an example from the bio of an executive who was targeting leadership roles with small and mid-size companies:

“Leading small-to-mid-size companies to a better tomorrow than today. That is the motivating goal that drives Nelson Turner’s executive leadership. Combined with his overarching belief that so-called business problems and challenges are just opportunities in disguise, requiring strategic and visionary leadership to recognize and capitalize on those opportunities, his career record is one of repeated and continuous success…”

Other techniques might include leading with a quote of something you have said that reflects your value proposition. Here is another professional bio example from the opening of a healthcare industry executive  biography:

“With more than 20 years of executive leadership in healthcare, Leslie Blanco offers a time-tested and proven record of innovation, inspirational leadership, and growth. Recognized as a visionary strategist who passionately energizes the organizations she leads, Leslie has a special talent for engaging stakeholders at all levels and driving through internal and external barriers to exceed corporate objectives where others have failed before. “My definition of ‘No’ is different,” she explains. “No is just an opportunity to invite more people into the conversation, to find your way to Yes.”…”

A quote that another person has said or written about you can sometimes be an attention grabber. Here is an example of this strategy in action (this was the opening of a biography professionally written for a hospitality industry executive ):

“Often referred to as a hospitality “Renaissance Woman” by her friends and colleagues, Janice Griffin has dedicated her life to the craft of developing and managing top-rated boutique resort and hotel developments in business, vacation, and experiential destinations….”

If you have an especially compelling “origin” story that explains what has shaped you into the leader you are today, you could try leading with that, as in this example executive’s professionally written biography :

“A first-generation American of immigrant parents, Omar Khalil grew up believing that with hard work and perseverance, no dream was beyond reach. His father came to America with just $50 borrowed dollars and a desire to pursue the American Dream. Working two full time jobs while he took classes and earned his master’s degree, Omar’s father became a pharmacist and a real estate investor. Omar explains that it was from watching this journey that he was inspired to pursue his own career with such fervor, a career that has taken him in even more uncommon directions than his father’s mix of the pharmaceutical industry and real estate….”

Avoid using jargon ; especially unsubstantiated jargon. Tell a story that shows you are an “outside the box” thinker rather than stating it. The same is true of words and phrases such as results-driven, go-to person, innovative, team player, proactive, etc. It isn’t that you should  never  use these words if you believe they best convey the message that will appeal to your audience. Rather, you should not use them without using a story to  demonstrate  how these are true of you and how they will benefit the reader.

For example, you can state that you are a change agent, or you can show it through the stories of your career . Imagine how much less credibility this example executive biography for a financial services industry executive  (this is an excerpt from the middle) would be without the stories demonstrating HOW she is a “change agent”:

“Recognized as a high-energy, dedicated change agent, most recently as the COO of Xxxxx Advisors, Joan is credited with transforming the established $1.4B AUM wealth management firm, significantly raising the firm’s valuation and positioning it for acquisition by Xxxxxx Group. After pinpointing considerable cultural and process barriers to achieving strategic goals, Joan took over the operational reins of the firm and led development and implementation of a turnaround plan that included a substantive talent refresh, deep cultural change, and process re-engineering, while simultaneously scaling Xxxxxx’s primary differentiator—behavioral wealth management—a holistic offering that combines wealth and investment management with human behavior science. As results, Xxxxx’s operations were completely streamlined and empowered to do much more with less while cementing an edge within the competitive wealth management market….”

Sharing a little bit of personal information that shows who you are outside of work can help infuse your biography with personality, making the content seem more authentic, genuine, and uniquely yours. Unless it relates to your target in a direct way, it is a good idea to steer away from information that reveals religion, politics, or other associations that might be the cause of conscious or unconscious bias. However, including some information about your interests, hobbies, travels, charities you support, brand values, personal vision, and sometimes even your family can be conversation starters and help make you more relatable to the reader, establishing connections.

Here is an example of this from the board biography of an executive in an  investment firm :

“Aligned with her recent leadership in the socially responsible investing (SRI) space, Kathy is a dedicated and passionate advocate for sustainability, environmental, and social justice causes. In recent years, this has included traveling to North Dakota with a coalition of EMA, First Peoples, Oneida Foundation, and members of the press to raise awareness for the Standing Rock cause, and Kathy authored the Xxxxxxx corporate resolution regarding the Dakota Access Pipeline. In 2016, Kathy spoke at the Environmental Media Awards in Los Angeles, and in 2015, at the High-Water Women conference. Through her work at Xxxxx, Kathy had the chance to partner with activist nonprofit organizations such as Xxxxxx Foundation, Environmental Xxxxxx Association, Xxxxxxx Foundation, Xxxx Affirmative, and others. Kathy presently lives in City, State and can be reached at 000.000.0000.”

Here is another very different example from another executive board biography:

“Martina Hartford currently resides in Xxxxxxxxx. She is an avid world traveler and in her personal time she enjoys seeking out new adventures internationally. Her charitable interests center primarily on international humanitarian efforts that benefit impoverished people around the world, particularly those that seek to better the lives and education of children.”

Edit, edit, and then edit again. When you think your biography is perfect, set it down overnight and then read it again.

Edit some more.

Your goal is to be as succinct as possible; to tell your story and get your message across with as few words as necessary.

Don’t try to “wow” your reader with fancy language and obscure words that will require them to read with a dictionary. Use clear language that is formal yet conversational. Break up long sentences into shorter sentences. Break long, dense paragraphs into multiple shorter, easier-to-read paragraphs.

What Should Your Professional Bio Look Like?

As explained earlier in this article, biographies can take many forms and be used in many different ways. The recommendations here apply to more traditional, one-page narrative biographies.

Do include a professional headshot photograph of yourself. While you should never include a photograph of yourself on your resume , it is expected that you will do so on your biography. For consistency and branding, it is a good idea to use the same photo (or a slight variation of the same photo) that you are using on your LinkedIn profile.

Do create a professional-looking letterhead and document design that matches the style and branding of your resume, cover letters, references, and any other career marketing documents you use. Modern resumes are often eye-catching and use color and design element s to make them stand out. Your biography should be designed similarly. The template collections shown below from Distinctive Resume Templates illustrate how this can be done. Use a coordinating design for each document you include as part of your career marketing portfolio.

It isn’t necessary, but it has become common to include some sort of sidebar or other callout box to bring attention to key highlights. These sidebars and callout boxes can be used in a variety of ways, such as:

• To list the industries you have experience in
• To list key qualifications that you bring to the table
• To highlight 3-5 major career achievements
• To provide a brief chronology of employment
• To include a “testimonial” quote of something nice someone has said about you
• To list board positions you have held
• To list educational credentials
• To list technical skills

If you don’t have the design skills to create a professional document, there are professional bio templates available at a very low cost. If you do decide to use a template for your bio, make sure you redesign your resume to match the design. Distinctive Resume Templates are arranged in collections that make this easy. Choose the design that catches your eye and purchase the entire collection with templates designed to make it easy for you to give your bio, resume, and other career marketing documents a modern facelift. The biography templates shown below are just a sampling of what is available.

Of course, if you hire Distinctive Career Services to help you with your biography and other career marketing documents, in addition to writing the content, we will also create attractive, on-brand designs for all your documents.

Ready To Get Started?

Your biography tells your personal story and promotes your personal brand in a way that no other document can do. It provides the chance for you to introduce yourself and make a polished first impression , using stories to create chemistry and connection with the reader.

An up-to-date biography is an important tool to add to your career marketing portfolio, no matter whether you are an executive or a new graduate fresh out of college . To get professional help writing your biography or any other career document, reach out today . Distinctive Career Services is here to help!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a professional bio.

A professional bio is a narrative document, usually no longer than one page, written in the third-person perspective. It provides a meaningful introduction to you by telling your story in a way that illustrates your professional value.

How is a professional bio different from a resume?

While both a professional bio and a resume are marketing pieces intended to sell you as the ideal person for your target audience, they serve different purposes. A resume typically lists your work experience and skills, while a professional bio tells your story in a more narrative and personally revealing way.

Who needs a professional bio?

Almost any professional can benefit from having a well-written biography. This includes public speakers, authors, consultants, executives, and business leaders. A professional bio can be used for networking purposes, as an interview leave-behind, when you publish anything, when you are speaking or presenting, on a website, as part of a conference program, and much more.

How should I start writing my professional bio?

Begin by thinking about the purpose of your biography and who will be reading it. Consider the challenges, problems, goals, and needs of your target audience. Look at your entire career from a holistic perspective and identify the common threads or “themes” that highlight your unique value proposition.

What should I avoid when writing my professional bio?

Avoid using jargon and unsubstantiated claims. Instead, tell a story that shows your unique qualities and skills. Also, avoid trying to “wow” your reader with fancy language and obscure words. Use clear, formal yet conversational language.

Can I include personal information in my professional bio?

Yes, sharing a bit of personal information can help infuse your biography with personality. This can include information about your interests, hobbies, travels, charities you support, and sometimes even your family. However, it’s best to steer away from information that reveals religion, politics, or other associations that might cause bias.

How should my professional bio look like?

Your professional bio should include a professional headshot photograph of yourself and should have a professional-looking letterhead and document design that matches the style and branding of your resume and other career marketing documents. It’s also common to include a sidebar or other callout box to highlight key points.

Do I need professional help to write my professional bio?

While it’s possible to write your professional bio on your own, getting professional help can ensure that your bio is well-written, engaging, and effectively communicates your professional value. Professional services can also help with creating attractive, on-brand designs for your bio and other career marketing documents.

About the Author: Michelle Dumas

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How to write a professional bio (with examples and templates)

• Rebecca Strehlow
• 13 min read

Get started by: Creating a website →  | Getting a domain →

Which three words would you use to describe yourself? Most of us have been asked this question and many of us have fumbled through it awkwardly.

Coming up with a personal description can be daunting. But there are times when it’s essential - whether we’re updating our LinkedIn profiles, blogging for Medium or creating a business website of our own.

In this post, we’ll go over how to write a bio, step by step. To help guide you, we’ve also included a handy template, along with some professional bio examples for your inspiration. With these resources, you’ll find that writing a bio, as part of making a website , is much easier than you might think.

What is a short bio?

Before you learn how to write a bio, you should have a clear understanding of what it is and why you need it.

In the world of literature, a personal biography can span the length of an entire novel, like Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom or Malala Yousafzai’s I Am Malala . In the online world, however, a bio is a short paragraph in which you introduce yourself. Typically, some of the best business websites place bios on a designated About Us page in their website, as well as on their social media pages and other networking platforms.

What to include in a short bio

Depending on your audience and goals, your bio can highlight your personal interests, your professional achievements or a mix of both. Here are some of the elements a bio might include:

Job title or workplace

University degree and other qualifications

Hometown or city of residence

Personal or professional goals

Mission statement and values

Skills and expertise

Interests and hobbies

The goal of writing a bio is to provide people with a snapshot of who you are. This is important for a variety of reasons, whether it’s drawing people toward your personal website or promoting your blog, attracting clients and business partners to your brand, or highlighting your achievements for job interviews.

How to write a short bio

The most effective online bios are both professional and concise. Here’s how to write a short professional bio that suits your website or brand:

Introduce yourself

State your company or brand name

Explain your professional role

Include professional achievements

Discuss your passions and values

Mention your personal interests

01. Introduce yourself

Begin your bio by stating your first and last name. If you’re writing in the third person, these should be the first two words of the paragraph. This makes your name easy for your audience to identify and remember. Your bio is a huge part of your personal branding efforts, and should start with a strong intro to make a positive impact.

02. State your company or brand name

Think about whether you want your bio to represent yourself on a personal level, or whether you’d like it to come across as more professional. If you have a personal brand or business - for example, a blog, freelance business or eCommerce site - be sure to mention your brand name at the beginning of your bio. Don’t be afraid if the name sounds simple or redundant. It’s perfectly fine, for instance, to say Mary Smith is the founder and CEO of Smith Digital.

Likewise, feel free to mention the name of another company or brand that you work for if you’d like to associate it with your professional accomplishments - e.g., Mary Smith is a consultant at Google and the founder and CEO of Smith Digital.

03. Explain your professional role

Next, briefly explain your current position. This is relevant whether you’re the founder of a company, a high-level specialist or a beginner in your field, and it can be similar to the description you have on your resume. Your website visitors won’t necessarily know what your job involves, so elaborating on your primary responsibilities helps paint a picture of who you are and what you have to offer. This can also be used, if needed for employment and recruitment opportunities. If you're a freelancer a strong bio can make all the difference in how successful sourcing work can be.

04. Include professional achievements

In addition to explaining what your job entails, highlight milestones that make you stand out. Even if you haven’t won an award or gained external recognition, you can discuss ways in which you’ve contributed to your professional role and touch on new ideas or approaches that you bring to the table.

05. Discuss your passions and values

Once you describe what you do and how you contribute to your role, you’ll need to explain the why . This is one of the most important elements to focus on as you consider how to write a bio.

Think about the values and passions underlying your work, as well as your professional philosophy. What gets you up in the morning? What’s the driving force behind what you do?

You can also think of this part of your professional bio as a kind of mission statement. Perhaps your mission is to serve others, contribute to society, grow your expertise or learn new skills. Whatever your reasons, expanding upon these ideas can help your audience get a better understanding of what truly matters to you. Don't be afraid to deploy storytelling in this part of creating your bio. Explore your narrative and then convey it.

06. Mention your personal interests

The most effective short bios will not only focus on your professional experience, but will also touch on what you like to do in your spare time. Consider mentioning:

Your family

Your hometown

Your hobbies

Side projects you’re working on

Transitioning to a more casual discussion of who you are outside of work is a great way to conclude your bio. This will present you as a more well-rounded person while making you relatable for your audience.

Professional bio template

As you go through the steps on how to write a bio, this handy template will help you get started:

Sentence 1: [Name] is a [job title] who [job description].

E.g., Lisa Green is an English teacher who teaches beginning to advanced literature courses for 10th and 11th grade students at Bloomfield High School.

Sentence 2: [Name] believes that [why you do the work you do].

E.g., Lisa believes that written and analytical skills are not only a fundamental part of academic excellence, but are also the building blocks of critical thinking in high school and beyond.

Sentence 3: [Name/pronoun] has [mention your achievements].

E.g., In addition to managing the English curriculum for the school, she runs an after school program where she works one-on-one with students.

Sentence 4: [Name/pronoun] is a [mention any relevant awards, training or honors].

E.g., She has also been nominated Teacher of the Year for two consecutive years.

Sentence 5: [Name/pronoun] holds a [insert degree] in [field of study] from [university].

E.g., Lisa holds a BA in Creative Writing and a Master’s Degree in Teaching from the University of Michigan.

Once you’ve filled in this template, put it all together into a single paragraph to create an initial framework for your professional biography. Note that you can shorten or expand upon this bio according to your unique needs.

Professional bio examples

Now that you know the basics of writing a professional bio, here are some short bio examples to inspire you. You can use these examples as additional templates for guidance as you craft your own personal biography.

Like the creators of these examples, you can place your bio on your personal or professional website and, later, revise the structure for other online platforms.

01. Bristol Guitar Making School

Of all the professional bio examples, Alex Bishop’s content exudes passion. Strategically placing the bio on the About page of his small business website , he highlights his skills and explains why he finds his work meaningful. In particular, we love his description of why he chose to pursue guitar making:

“​My passion as a guitar maker comes from a life-long obsession with making things. From a young age I have always tried to manipulate objects and materials in order to create something entirely different. I find that working with wood is a way for me to connect with nature. The simple act of shaping wood to make something functional or beautiful brings me endless satisfaction.”

He also lists his accomplishments and awards, adding credibility to his business and building trust among prospective clients.

02. Alexandra Zsigmond

As someone who has served as art director for both The New York Times' opinion section and The New Yorker , it's no surprise that Alexandra Zsigmond's bio is thorough and detailed. Providing statistics or reflections on the things she achieved in her career is a clever way to demonstrate her value without saying so directly. As she explains:

"She has collaborated with a roster of over 1000 artists worldwide and art directed over 4000 editorial illustrations. She is known for greatly expanding the range of visual contributors to the Times, drawing equally from the worlds of contemporary illustration, fine art, animation, and comics."

03. Amanda Shields Interiors

Amanda Shields provides us with another effective bio example on her interior design website. Importantly, she spices up her bio by explaining how home decor aligns with her personal life and why it’s so close to her heart as a mother and entrepreneur:

"After working as a product designer for numerous retailers over the years, and after I had my first child, I decided to take the plunge and start my own home staging business…. Coincidentally, a month later I discovered I was pregnant with my second child. I loved the new challenges I faced as a new entrepreneur and mom and it didn't take long for me to discover that this was my calling…. I felt the need to expand my business and launch Amanda Shields Interiors as its own entity to focus specifically on residential interiors and design."

By placing this content on her website’s About page, she provides potential clients with insights into her expertise and professional experience. She expands upon the choices she made along her career path, strategically making note of her achievements and acquired skills along the way.

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Tips for writing a bio

As you write your bio using the professional template above, make sure to keep the following tips in mind:

Keep it concise: Your bio should be sufficiently explanatory but it should also be short and to the point. A good rule of thumb is to keep each element of your bio - from your job description to your mission statement and hobbies - to about 1-2 sentences. That way, you’ll end up with a brief paragraph that holds your readers’ attention without rambling on.

Consider your audience: The voice and tone you choose for your biography largely depends on your audience and personal goals. If you’re looking for a job and are writing primarily for recruiters, you’ll want to use a serious, professional tone. On the other hand, if you’re creating an Instagram bio , consider using more casual, conversational language that reflects your personality.

Add humor: Relatedly, consider adding humor when appropriate. This is especially valuable if you’ve founded your own business or created your own website , as it can give you a distinct brand identity while helping your audience build a stronger sense of connection with your brand.

Link to your website: When writing a bio for a platform other than your own website - a social media page, another company page, or a guest blog or publication - remember to include a link to your website. This will help you promote your website while highlighting your professionalism and authority.

Adapt for different platforms: You’ll most likely need to adapt the length and writing style of your biography to suit different platforms. For example, you may place a longer bio on your website’s About page and a shorter one on your LinkedIn page. In these cases, use the same main principles for writing a bio while scaling down the most important elements.

How to write a bio in four sentences or less

Really need to create a super short bio? We'd suggest following some of the tips above, just condensing them into less word for a short bio that still makes impact.

But if we really had to choose we'd say focus on - you, your professional role and company. That condenses everything that matters for bio into three sentences. Humor, creativity and uniqueness still all matter - just use fewer words to convey them.

Creating a bio for your website

As we’ve noted in the examples above, one of the most strategic places to put your bio is on your website - so be sure to consider it within your web design plans. Whether the goal of your site is to start and promote your business , showcase your design portfolio or display your resume, including a bio gives your audience a glimpse into the person behind your content. It can also kickstart your professional growth . Show the world what you do, how you do it and why it matters, and people will be drawn to your passion and inspired by your experience.

Bio for a website example:

Hi, I'm Alex Johnson, a passionate web developer with over 10 years of experience in creating dynamic and user-friendly websites. I specialize in front-end development, bringing innovative designs to life with clean and efficient code. When I'm not coding, you can find me exploring hiking trails, experimenting with new recipes, or buried in a good book. Let's build something amazing together.

Pro tip: You can add a bio to many different types of websites, so using templates can help you create yours faster. For example, if you're creating a portfolio website , explore portfolio website templates to help you get started.

Creating a bio for social media

Crafting a professional bio for social media is vital as it introduces you or your brand, and it builds credibility and trust. A well-written bio establishes your expertise, attracts the right audience, and fosters engagement. It helps maintain a consistent brand image, optimizes search and discovery, and opens doors to networking and career opportunities. A compelling bio delivers a concise, informative snapshot of who you are, what you do, and the value you bring, leaving a lasting impression on visitors and potential collaborators alike.

Bio for social media example:

🌟 Tech Enthusiast | 📚 Avid Reader | 🎨 Amateur Artist | 🌍 Explorer

Passionate about AI and its impact on our future. Sharing insights on tech trends, book recommendations, and my travel adventures. Lover of all things creative. Let's connect and inspire each other

You may need to edit your bio depending on which social media platform you plan to use it on. Some of the most popular ones include Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Focus on getting your bio right on the platforms you plan to focus your personal or brand social media marketing efforts on.

Writing a bio with AI

If you're looking to write your bio fast while creating your website, consider using an AI text generator to build your draft. You'll still need to make sure it goes through. an intensive editing process, so that it really captures the essence of who you are and your professional skills. A bio is about much more than just basic information, so don't forget to include the storytelling too. Build a website with Wix and you can make use of the in-built AI text generator within its Editor .

Why good bios are important for a professional

In a world where first impressions matter, a well-crafted bio can make a significant impact in establishing trust and credibility with potential clients, employers or collaborators. It also offers insight into your personality and values, helping to forge authentic connections with your audience. It acts as a powerful tool for personal branding, allowing you to differentiate yourself in a competitive landscape and leave a memorable impression.

A strong bio also serves as a gateway to opportunities, whether it's securing new clients, landing job interviews or establishing partnerships. It acts as a professional introduction, allowing you to showcase your expertise. A polished and impactful bio is essential for you to effectively communicate your professional identity and stand out in your field.

Writing a bio without experience

Writing a bio when you don't yet have experience can be challenging, but it's an opportunity to showcase your potential and aspirations.

Begin by highlighting your educational background, skills and any relevant coursework or projects you've completed. Focus on your passions, interests and personal qualities that make you unique. Consider including volunteer work, internships or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your commitment and initiative. Emphasize your eagerness to learn and grow in your chosen field and express your future goals and aspirations. Don't be afraid to be honest about your current stage and your willingness to gain experience and develop professionally.

If you don't know what to write in your bio, start by brainstorming your key experiences, achievements, skills and personal attributes. Consider what sets you apart and what you want others to know about you. Look for inspiration from other bios or profiles in your field, and consider seeking feedback from friends, mentors or colleagues. Don't hesitate to highlight your passions, interests and goals, as well as any unique experiences or perspectives you bring to the table. Remember to keep it concise and engaging, and don't be afraid to revise and refine your bio until it accurately represents you.

How to write a bio FAQ

A short bio, short for biography, is a concise summary of a your life or professional background. It provides a brief overview of your key achievements, qualifications, experiences, and relevant details. Typically written in the third person, a short bio is often used in various contexts, such as professional profiles, social media accounts, introductions for speaking engagements, author descriptions, and other situations where a brief introduction is required. The length of a short bio can vary, but it's generally kept to a few sentences or a short paragraph to provide a snapshot of the person's background and expertise.

How do I write a bio about myself?

What should i include in a short bio, how do you write a fun bio for work, how do i make my bio stand out, related posts.

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• Jul 13, 2022

How to Write a Stand-Out Professional Bio (with Examples)

Not good at writing about yourself? Follow these handy tips!

Nikki Vivian

Careers Coach and Writer

Reviewed by Hayley Ramsey

If you’ve reached the point in your life where you’re applying for jobs and making headway in your career, networking online, or setting up a business, the chances are, you’ve needed to write a professional biography. This can be a daunting task. Writing about ourselves and focusing on our strengths doesn’t always come easy, and neither does making it captivating enough to draw in the reader.

Take a look through our article on how to write a professional bio, with top tips for what to include and detailed examples for inspiration.

What is a professional bio

A professional bio is a short introduction or summary about you and what you can offer. Its purpose is to sell you as a professiona l in whatever capacity you are using it for. Typically, you can use a bio at the start of your CV , you can have a detailed bio on a LinkedIn profile , and you can present a bio to clients, employers or customers.

For your bio to be effective, it needs to be written in a way that draws in the reader, giving them all the information they need to know about you in a professional capacity, in a way that is engaging, clear and genuine. Think of it as your sales pitch.

You can be creative or stick to a traditional structure for your bio, but there are certain things that you may want to include:

• Current job title
• Educational attainment
• Relevant certifications
• Area of specialism
• Skills and experience
• Previous career background

How to write a professional bio

Knowing what you need to include is one thing, but writing it can still be tricky. It has to be catchy so that the reader wants to continue to the end, and it has to give all the information needed to do you and your professional standing justice. It is a snapshot of you and your career, so you want to make sure you come across professional and qualified but also demonstrate how you stand out.

Here are some tips to help.

Give an introduction

Start your personal biography with an introduction to who you are. You can include your name and what you do currently, or a summary of your most recent years of experience. If you have a business you are representing, this can also be stated here as part of the introduction. Starting with an introduction is impactful and personal and sets the scene.

Highlight your experience

As well as introducing yourself in terms of what you do, you will do well to include some details about your current role or business, along with previous experience that brought you to this point. Think about your responsibilities, what you’re best known for, and how you got to the position you are currently in.

Avoid using phrases like “trying to” or “attempting to”, as this makes it sound like you’re not achieving the things you’re aiming for. Go with something more powerful, as you are doing it (and doing it well!)

Focus on achievements

What you do on a day-to-day basis is important, but your bio needs to show what you personally have to offer. Think about what makes you stand out, such as any awards, commendations, or anything with great results that you have contributed to personally. These need to be a focus of your bio. For example, think about using percentages to show increase in revenue, numbers to demonstrate how many people you managed or secured at an event or naming (and linking to) publications that you were mentioned in.

Show your personality

Why is what you do important to you? Why are you passionate about it? If relevant, talk about your views and mission within your field and why you love what you do. Injecting a bit of personality into your bio will help readers to relate to you and understand your goals and commitments.

Keep it short

Professional bios don’t need to be — and shouldn’t be — long. They are a snapshot of you and your career, in the context of what you’re using the bio for. Your résumé, the rest of your LinkedIn profile, website, or any further documents can add further details that don’t need to be covered in your bio. A bios length will vary depending on what you’re using it for. A résumé bio should be short, just a few sentences, whereas a LinkedIn bio can be up to 2000 characters. Generally, a business bio is expected to be around 300–500 words.

Keep it relevant

Your bio needs to be entirely relevant to whatever you’re using it for. If you are applying for a job and your bio is on your résumé, it needs to clearly outline who you are, your most relevant skills and experience, and what you’re looking to do. If your bio is to be used to show your membership to a professional organization, you need to be highlighting experience, credentials and job titles relating to that. Don’t be tempted to include everything. You are looking to show your professionalism in a certain area.

Break up the text

You want your bio to be easy to read, so break up text into short paragraphs or use bullets if you are listing skills or achievements where necessary. Short paragraphs are easier to scan and easier to take in than large bodies of text. A large paragraph can be offputting and means your bio is less likely to be read.

Tell a story

Professional bios can be boring. You don’t want that. You actually want people to read yours, so write it in a way that speaks to the reader. Rather than a stale list of achievements and a list of past positions, weave a story. Talk about where you are, how you got there, why you love what you do and why you’re so good at it but do it in a way that is engaging. People love stories and it will also help them to relate to you.

While telling stories is good, don’t make it an essay. Keep it short and sweet.

What can you offer

It’s very tempting to think about what you are looking for when you are applying for a job, or membership in an organization. Talk about your career goals and ambitions, yes, but don’t forget to make it very clear what you can offer. A future employer or customer wants to know why they should pick you, rather than what you hope to gain.

Call to action

Depending on what the bio is being used for, you may want to include a call to action. This works especially well with a professional bio on LinkedIn or a website. The call to action could be to join a mailing list, visit your website or give you a call.

Taking note of all the advice above, here are some examples of how you can construct a short professional bio. These are bios are particularly suitable for a résumé, the by-line of a guest article or a short bio on a website.

I first became interested in engineering at a young age, when I became fascinated with the mechanisms of toys and vehicles. This passion continued as I progressed through education and realized that I could study engineering and make a career out of it. Following my BA in mechanical engineering, I went on to complete a MEng and began my career with [company name] where I quickly progressed from intern to regional manager, winning employer of the year in 2021.

With 15 years of experience working in business development for successful start-ups, including [company name] and [company name], I set up [your company/business name] to incorporate my business knowledge and experience of bringing products successfully to market, with my passion for cooking. Since 2019, I have grown the business to trade in three countries, employing 50 members of staff and increasing revenue year on year by 15 percent.

With strong leadership skills, a growth mindset and a genuine interest in the industry I trade in, I have big growth plans for 2022, including new product lines, market expansion and some exciting collaborations.

My name is [your name] and I am a marketing assistant with experience in the corporate, creative and fashion industry. I completed my bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2019 with a distinction and have since completed internships and placements with [company name(s)], building my experience in events and the corporate environment.

I am skilled at building relationships with clients and using my creativity to contribute to effective marketing strategies, including the [campaign name] campaign for [company name]. I am passionate about learning and outside of formal education; I have taken a number of online courses including digital marketing, marketing and branding and influencer marketing to level up my skills.

Final thoughts

Done right, a professional bio can be an effective tool for getting you noticed, to help you advance in your career and to outline exactly what you’re good at and what you stand for. However, it isn’t as simple as just listing your credentials. You need to make yourself stand out by creating a bio that is readable, human, relatable, and that sells you for all your relevant skills and experience.

Take time to think about your audience, what they need to know about you, and don’t be shy about including your big achievements and the experience that sets you apart.

Do you struggle writing about yourself and your achievements? Did you find this helpful? Let us know in the comments below!

Writing Skills

Professionalism

6 short professional bios and how to write one yourself

Short professional bios can be just as effective as long ones that detail your accomplishments. Whether you need to work within Twitter’s character count or you’re making career moves on LinkedIn, a well-written short professional bio gives you the chance to make an excellent first impression. Here’s how to turn this brief text into a powerful introduction to your greatest strengths and accomplishments.

Short professional bio template

To help you get started, here’s a third-person short professional bio template you can use:

“[Your name] is a [professional title] at [current employer] with [length of experience] helping [target audience] with [audience’s problems] . Specializing in [area of expertise] , [first name] uses that experience to [describe most important aspects of the job] . 

By focusing on [branding statement about what matters professionally] , [first name] has been able to put the [degree(s)] they earned at [college or university attended] to good use. Over the years, [first name’s or pronoun] strengths at [employer or project] has garnered some recognition for/by [major accomplishments] . [First name] may spend their days at [employer or employer location] , but it’s the [one or two aspects of the job that they’re passionate about] that gets them up in the morning.

When they’re not at [employer] , [first name] is an avid [hobby] and loves spending time [another hobby or interest] .”

Example of a professional bio

Jerry Smith is a race car driver at Hendrick Motorsports with five years’ experience making speedy turns for several hours, helping his thousands of fans to fulfill their entertainment needs. Specializing in left turns and safely overtaking his opponents in the pursuit of a checkered flag, Jerry uses that expertise to never come in last.

By focusing on making sure Hendrick Motorsports ends up in the winner’s circle at every race, Jerry has been able to put the racing certifications he earned at driver’s school to good use. Over the years, his strengths at Hendrick Motorsports have garnered some recognition for winning several races each year. Jerry may spend his days at the racetrack, but it’s the thrill of the race and the glory of coming in first that gets him up in the morning.

When he’s not behind the wheel, Jerry is an avid fisherman and loves spending time in the great outdoors.

What should be included in your bio?

Now that you know how effective a short bio can be, you’re getting closer to putting the proverbial pen to paper and letting the world know more about you. Before you get started on your bio, it’s important that you consider each element you want to mention in it. A correct representation of your professional work experience, especially if it's narrow and global at the same time such as bringing technical innovations to the market, proving new hypotheses in science or just digitization of processes in the healthcare industry may become ace up your sleeve. A good professional bio should include the following bits of information, regardless of your writing style or your goals:

- Start with who you are and what you do. The basics of a bio include your name and a brief summary of your professional endeavors and goals. 

- Describe what you’re currently doing. Include quantifiable information that can show how effective you are in your most recent position.

- Share a couple of professional triumphs. If you’ve enjoyed a level of professional excellence that resulted in special recognition, share those results. This is your moment to showcase two or three key moments in your career, such as awards, special recognition, or significant accomplishments. Approach this like you would a cover letter for a job application.

- Create a branding statement . Consider your values as a professional and take some space to outline them. Think of this as an easy way to help people quickly determine what matters to you.

- Include some personal details that showcase your personality. At the end of the day, your career doesn’t completely define you. Feel free to include interests and hobbies in your bio to make you more relatable.

- Mention how to reach you. Add social media links or an email address to your bio. This one is more optional and context-dependent, but a smart idea nonetheless. 

5 steps to write a professional bio

With all that in mind, here are the five steps you should take when writing your professional bio:

1. Identify the bio’s purpose and gather information. Good news — if you followed along in the previous section, then you’ve already arrived at this step. Knowing why you’re writing the bio, who you expect to read it, and how you want to present yourself to that reader is important to the bio writing process.

2. Choose either a first- or third-person perspective. Do you want to use first-person “I” and “me” language, or do you want to talk about yourself in the third person? Third person sounds as though someone else wrote your bio for you, giving it an air of objectivity. However, if you’re posting this on your own portfolio page and the rest of your content is written in first person, then you may want to stick with that style for consistency.

3. Write for the platform. Depending on where you’re posting this bio, you may have a short character limit or as much digital real estate as you want. A Twitter bio will naturally be much shorter than your website. Consider writing bios of different lengths to fit each situation.

4. Begin writing. Your bio should contain everything you collected earlier. It should start with a broad overview of who you are and what you do before ultimately diving into your background and what makes you unique. Have fun with it, but remain professional. Be thorough, but don’t overstay your welcome.

5. Proofread, proofread, proofread. Before posting your professional bio online, walk away from the finished product and then return to it with fresh eyes. Reread it and make edits. When you’re good with your edits, share your bio with a friend you trust to look it over. Once this process is complete, your short professional bio is ready for prime time.

Real life bio examples

While the professional bio template and example provided above can serve as a good starting point for your own bio, it may help to check out some bios from successful individuals in their fields. Here are six excellent examples of what makes a good professional bio.

The bio : Tim Cook is the CEO of Apple and serves on its board of directors.

Before being named CEO in August 2011, Tim was Apple’s chief operating officer and was responsible for all of the company’s worldwide sales and operations, including end-to-end management of Apple’s supply chain, sales activities, and service and support in all markets and countries. He also headed Apple’s Macintosh division and played a key role in the continued development of strategic reseller and supplier relationships, ensuring flexibility in response to an increasingly demanding marketplace.

Prior to joining Apple, Tim was vice president of Corporate Materials for Compaq and was responsible for procuring and managing all of Compaq’s product inventory.

Previous to his work at Compaq, Tim was the chief operating officer of the Reseller Division at Intelligent Electronics.

Tim also spent 12 years with IBM, most recently as director of North American Fulfillment where he led manufacturing and distribution functions for IBM’s Personal Computer Company in North and Latin America.

Tim earned an MBA from Duke University, where he was a Fuqua Scholar, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Auburn University.

Why it’s good: Featured on a corporate about page and focused on one of the most important people in tech, Tim Cook’s professional bio speaks directly to his impressive professional history. This bio is a great example for someone with significant experience in their field.

Richard Branson

The bio : Founder of the Virgin Group, which has gone on to grow successful businesses in sectors including mobile telephony, travel and transportation, financial services, leisure and entertainment and health and wellness. Virgin is a leading international investment group and one of the world's most recognised and respected brands. Since starting youth culture magazine “Student” at aged 16, I have tried to find entrepreneurial ways to drive positive change in the world. In 2004 we established Virgin Unite, the non-profit foundation of the Virgin Group, which unites people and entrepreneurial ideas to create opportunities for a better world. Most of my time is now spent building businesses that will make a positive difference in the world and working with Virgin Unite and organisations it has incubated, such as The Elders, The Carbon War Room, The B Team and Ocean Unite. I also serve on the Global Commission on Drug Policy and supports ocean conservation with the Ocean Elders. I'm a tie-loathing adventurer, philanthropist and troublemaker, who believes in turning ideas into reality. Otherwise known as Dr Yes!

Why it’s good: Richard Branson’s LinkedIn professional bio just exudes his personality. Seen as an eccentric billionaire with a penchant for space travel, the Virgin Group founder meshes his professional accomplishments with the many value-driven, philanthropic passion projects he’s undertaken over the years.

Ann Handley

The bio : Ann Handley is a writer, digital marketing pioneer, and Wall Street Journal best-selling author who inspires and empowers you to create marketing that your customers will love, igniting real results for your business.

Ann Handley writes and speaks about how businesses can escape marketing mediocrity to achieve tangible results.

And she will inspire you to do work you’re proud of.

Why it’s good: Marketing guru Ann Handley's profile is short, sweet, and to the point. Perfect for most venues, such as the personal website this is posted on, Handley's bio explains what her strengths are and how she can best help you and your business.

Joaquin Duato

The bio : Joaquin Duato is the Chief Executive Officer of Johnson & Johnson and serves on its Board of Directors. As CEO of the world’s largest healthcare company, Joaquin leads a global workforce of 135,000 employees in developing and delivering transformational and innovative healthcare solutions in Pharmaceuticals, MedTech, and Consumer Health.

From his early days in Spain, Joaquin found inspiration by focusing on how healthcare improved patients’ lives. Over the course of three decades with the company, he developed a deep understanding of what’s possible at Johnson & Johnson by working in all business sectors and across multiple geographies and functions. Before being named CEO, Joaquin served as the Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee, where he provided strategic direction for the Pharmaceutical and Consumer Health sectors and oversaw both Information Technology and the Global Supply Chain.

Joaquin’s many accomplishments include driving the transformation of the company’s pharmaceutical business into a global powerhouse by refocusing strategy and investment around core therapeutic areas and areas of greatest unmet need during his tenure as the sector’s Worldwide Chairman. More recently, he oversaw the company’s rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic and drove coordination of global initiatives to safeguard the health of employees and ensure business and supply chain continuity, so the company’s life-saving medicines and products reached patients and communities in need.

A believer in the power of technology to accelerate progress in healthcare, Joaquin is leading Johnson & Johnson to harness data science and intelligent automation for insight generation so that teams work as a united front, with expertise and purpose, to solve the world’s toughest health challenges.

A dual citizen of Spain and the United States, Joaquin’s international perspective gives him a deep appreciation of diversity in all its forms. He is committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the patients J&J serves, evidenced by nearly a decade acting as Executive Sponsor for the African Ancestry Leadership Council ERG.

Joaquin earned an MBA from ESADE in Barcelona, Spain, and a Master of International Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management in Phoenix, Arizona. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and two college-aged children.

Why it’s good: Joaquin Duato, an executive at pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson, shares an extensive profile. Not only does this corporate professional bio outline his impressive career, but the long-form entry backs up his status as someone at the top of his game by listing past accomplishments.

Anne T. Madden

The bio : Anne T. Madden is Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Honeywell.

She is responsible for managing legal affairs, Government Relations, health, safety, environment, product stewardship and environmental sustainability. Anne is also responsible for Honeywell’s global M&A efforts.

Prior to taking this role in 2017, Anne was Vice President, Corporate Development and Global Head of M&A, leading acquisition and divestiture activities for 16 years. During her tenure, Honeywell made around 100 acquisitions, representing approximately $15 billion in revenues and divested about 70 businesses, representing close to $9 billion of non-core revenues.

Anne joined Honeywell’s predecessor AlliedSignal in 1996 as General Counsel of Fluorine Products. Later that year she became Vice President and General Counsel of Specialty Chemicals and then Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of Performance Materials and Technologies (PMT).

Prior to that, Anne worked at Shearman & Sterling and KPMG Peat Marwick.

Anne earned an A.B. in English and American literature from Brown University, an M.S. in accounting and MBA in finance from the NYU Stern School of Business, and a J.D. from the Fordham University School of Law, where she was Managing Editor of the Law Review.

Why it’s good: Anne Madden's corporate bio is shorter than Joaquin Duato's, but it still manages to detail her career's trajectory in a comprehensive way. Additionally, it offers quantifiable data to show how proficient she is in her field.

Ethan Klei n

The bio : Host of @TheH3Podcast

(Podcast Booking Inquiries: [email protected]) (Business Inquiries: [email protected])

Why it’s good: Not all professional bios need to be lengthy descriptions of a person's career, passions, and hobbies. Ethan Klein's Twitter bio not only highlights his current role as the host of the H3H3 Podcast, but also provides potential connections and partners with ways to get in touch. It gets straight to the point in a way that’s atypical for most professional bios, but it certainly meets the definition for short without missing any key information.

Why do you need a professional bio?

Think of a professional bio as the narrative of your career up to this point. Rather than focusing exclusively on chronological minutiae like a resume, a good bio will give you the ability to focus on your “greatest hits” in a way that also showcases your personality. Here are some of the benefits of having a professional bio of your own:

- Serves as a preemptive icebreaker. If you’re regularly meeting new people at work or attending networking events (check out Namecheap’s how-to video on networking ), a professional bio lets everyone know who you are beforehand. This is particularly helpful for conferences and industry events.

- Easily conveys your personality. While most professional writing requires some rigidity for professionalism’s sake, your bio can and should speak to who you are as a person.

- Gives you a chance to brag. You worked hard to get awards, receive honors, and achieve professional milestones, so flaunt them if you have them!

- Explains who you serve as a professional. If you have a niche you cater to, your bio can quickly and easily explain the areas of focus that mold your professional life.

- Showcases what you do aside from work. There’s more to life than work, so use your bio to show how well-rounded you are by sharing the hobbies or volunteer work that shape your life outside the office.

- Works as your own sales pitch. If written properly, your professional bio will make you more attractive to potential employers and clients by highlighting exactly what makes you a unique and worthwhile addition to any team or project.

Get started on your bio

Anyone can write their own professional bio. Whether you’re looking to book additional side gigs, trying to promote past work, or currently seeking full-time employment, crafting the right professional bio for your needs can give you a leg up in achieving your goals. Through the use of tools like Namecheap Site Maker , you can put together a personal or professional site that highlights your work and showcases who you are as a person by broadcasting your bio to the internet. Likewise, if you’re looking for tips on a crafting professional bio for networking purposes, you may want to check out Namecheap’s business card maker , which can help you make a great first impression with a well-designed calling card.

Ready to get your name out there and build your professional brand? It’s time to write your professional bio and use Namecheap as your source for a website and professional identity.

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